Since we only have one gym and a large wrestling room--which contains a batting cage--we've been forced to come up with some basic guidelines to survive Mother Nature's early-spring assault. For those caught in a similar position, here are some things to consider:

1. Prepare a rotating indoor practice schedule for all spring sports, which provides fair access to the one major facility. The rotation helps ensure one or two teams don't always get the late spot and everyone is treated equitably. Fortunately, we have a dividing door that allows us to create two separate practice spaces for each one-and-half-hour time slot.

2. Insist coaches confirm whether they are going to use their scheduled time and space. After I e-mail the initial notification first thing in the morning, coaches can easily communicate with our entire staff by hitting "Respond All."

3. Set up some basic guidelines for gym use. For example, we recently installed new scoreboards and do not allow lacrosse balls to be thrown inside the gym. To adapt, our lacrosse teams use softer indoor balls or tennis balls for drills. Our coaches understand the limitations that exist in our facilities and the importance we place on safety.

4. Suggest that all teams warm-up and stretch in the lobby or the hallway next to the gym so that student-athletes can fully use their limited gym time for drills.

5. Ask coaches to provide additional safety tips for indoor practice sessions, since balls will careen off the walls. Student-athletes need to be aware that everything is much more crowded indoors, which requires greater awareness.

6. If the track team will be running in the halls or using stairwells as part of their indoor practice training, notify coaches and faculty members early in the day. This simple effort eliminates surprise and reduces the risk of injury.

7. Ask coaches to honor the posted stop time of their practice session. It is extremely important that everyone extends this common courtesy and all coaches schedule time to clean up equipment before the end of their slot.

8. As long as fields remain saturated, coaches and student-athletes should expect to practice indoors. Coaches may need to be reminded that injury prevention and protection of the fields must be considered at all times.

9. To help families arrange transportation, instruct your coaching staff to communicate with athletes' parents about the times and nature of the indoor schedule. Remind coaches that they are responsible for supervising athletes who are waiting for their rides after practice. That's why it is important--for everyone involved--that the times of indoor practice sessions are clearly communicated.

10. Console coaches who are distressed about not being able to practice outside. Let them know that all their opponents are experiencing the same problem and no one has an unfair advantage.

11. Help coaches develop a response for parents who are concerned their child's squad may be selected without ever having practiced outside. Stick to a simple, basic explanation that stresses the lack of alternatives and remind parents that conditions were the same for all candidates.

Early spring indoor practice sessions may not be ideal, but they are a fact of life. With a sound, well thought-out action plan, you can save a lot of problems and headaches.

David Hoch, CMAA, is Athletic Director at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore County, Md. He is a frequent contributor to Athletic Management.