Sports Performance

Beginning in 2010, TSSAA implemented a new concussion policy that all member schools must follow. Every individual involved in athletics must be proactive in identifying and treating athletes who show signs of concussions. In order to address this critical issue, the NFHS has drafted the following language and made it a part of every sport rule book publication: 

Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. 

Concussion Parent-Student Information FormTSSAA Concussion ProtocolConcussion Take-Home Sheet Concussion SymptomsReturn-To-Learn CharTAcademic AccommodationsRetURn-to-play Checklist

Each school must use a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or Heat Index reading at the site of practices and competitions. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) takes into account more environmental factors than heat index and should be a school’s first choice when evaluating conditions and planning activities. In the absence of a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading, a digital psychrometer or other instrument may be used at the site of the activity to measure the heat index. The use of a weather app on a cell phone is permissible to measure heat index if no other instrument is available to measure heat index at the site of the practice or competition.

TSSAA Heat POLICY

Protocol and chain of command for suspension of play should be discussed in the pre-game meeting with the game officials.  If a host school has a policy which bases suspension of play on proximity of lightning while using a lightning detector, this must be communicated to the game officials at the pre-game meeting.  It should be clearly stated who will be in charge of monitoring the lightning detector and notifying the game officials when lightning is in the area.  If cloud to ground lightning is seen or thunder is heard by the game officials before a lightning detector displays an alert, the game shall be suspended and the 30 minute count shall begin.

TSSAA Lightning POLICY