Skip to content
Support local news and music. Support your community.
Support CapRadio. We wouldn't be here without you.
Support your community's local source for news and music. Support CapRadio. 
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

Capital Public Radio

Capital Public Radio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • beats
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    • California Dream
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Roots
    • Eclectic
    • Videos
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight with Beth Ruyak
    • The View From Here
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • Insight Music
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • CapRadio Travels
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support / Underwriting
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Volunteering
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Less Full-Contact Football Practice In 2015

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Wednesday, December 24, 2014 | Sacramento, CA | Permalink
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Jim Larrison / flickr
 

Jim Larrison / flickr

Next year, a new law takes effect that limits full-contact middle school and high school football practices in California.

Assemblyman Ken Cooley authored the new law and says he hopes it will reduce the number of concussions suffered by young football players.

"The bill bans off-season, full-contact. It restricts full contact during the pre-season -which is 30 days before a high school or middle school season starts. And then during the season itself to no more than two days of full-speed contact -no more than 90 minutes a day."

Parents like Michael Choice say they agree with the idea of limiting contact to the head, but they're worried kids may suffer more head and neck injuries if the time dedicated to full-contact tackling drills is limited.

"Proper technique is not using your head. It's using your shoulders and your arms, lowering your waist and hitting through the body. They're not teaching kids to go ram your head into somebody. Proper technique, your head shouldn't be involved in the first place."

Other parents like Shelley Fish say they fully support the law.

"I'm all for it. I think kids of a certain age shouldn't even have full contact. I think some of these sports are a little bit too rough and I'm all for eliminating contact for smaller kids."

Assemblyman Cooley says the law limits contact that might result in a concussion.

"I think if you want to play football, you've got to be comfortable being in pads and operating and a kid can practice with his pads on all year long. The bill does not restrict that."

It also requires an athlete who suffers a concussion to complete a seven-day "return-to-play" protocol that is being developed by the California Interscholastic Federation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Sports Medicine.

The CIF expects to vote on the protocol in January and will likely hold coaches clinics in February.

A licensed health care provider must approve an athlete's return to participate in a practice or game regardless of the sport. The CIF says girls soccer has the second-most concussions of any sport.

According to the Sports Concussion Institute, 22-percent of all sports-related concussions occur during practice.

    More about New California Laws 2015

  • New California Laws 2015

    Hundreds of new laws will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015 in California. Capital Public Radio has stories about some of the new legislation and how they impact Californians.

    Related Stories

  • New California Laws 2015

    Monday, December 22, 2014
    Hundreds of new laws will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015 in California. Capital Public Radio has stories about some of the new legislation and how they impact Californians.

 sportshigh schoolNew California Laws 2015

Bob Moffitt

Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reports on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.   Read Full Bio 

 @BobMoffitt Email Bob Moffitt

Comments

Sign up for ReCap

and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

More State Government Stories

Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

California Legislature Won't Disclose Latest Sexual Harassment Complaint Data

December 3, 2019

Noah Berger / AP Photo

California Insurers Blocked From Dropping Customers In 2019 Wildfire Zones

December 6, 2019

Noah Berger / AP

California Not Adequately Prepared To Protect Vulnerable Residents From Natural Disasters, Says Auditor's Report

December 6, 2019

Most Viewed

Sacramento State Football Prepares For First Playoff Game In Over 30 Years

A Riverboat That’s Not Afloat: The Old Spirit Of Sacramento

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

How California Is Rewriting The Law On Online Privacy

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Sacramento State Football Prepares For First Playoff Game In Over 30 Years

A Riverboat That’s Not Afloat: The Old Spirit Of Sacramento

Ceres Pays $4.1 Million To Settle Two Fatal Shooting Lawsuits Involving The Same Officer

What's The Best Way To Help Homeless Sacramento Residents? Here's What They Say.

How California Is Rewriting The Law On Online Privacy

Back to Top

  • 7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Recap Newsletter

Capital Public Radio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2019, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.