New NCAA safety guidelines call for less contact in football practices

After six months of consulting with medical organizations, coaches and school administrators, the NCAA has released safety guidelines that, among other things, suggest limiting contact in football practices.

The recommendations, which were co-authored by the College Athletic Trainers’ Society, call for no more than four live contact practices a week during the preseason and only two a week once the season begins.

Contact would also be limited to eight of the 15 allowable spring practices.

“To have the NCAA, our medical professionals, coaches, school and conference administrators working collectively, speaks volumes about the desire to ensure the health and safety of our players,” said David Cutcliffe, the Duke football coach.

The new recommendations grew out of a “Safety in College Football Summit” held in Atlanta at the beginning of the year.

They also call for schools to appoint independent doctors to evaluate injuries and be more cautious in the treatment of athletes who suffer concussions.