By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday to expand the summer coaching period, as well as moving the start of the summer period to May 15 instead of June 1, as well as moving fall sports practices forward by one day.

The announcement was made by the Board of Directors, who voted unanimously for both changes.

The summer coaching period can now include 13 days instead of 10.

The summer coaching period can now begin May 15 instead of June 1.

Lastly, the fall sports can now begin practices on July 31 instead of Aug. 1.

The changes had been previously proposed by staff from the OHSAA in consultation with various coaches associations.

“Obviously, many of our schools are still competing in spring sports tournaments in late May, but by opening up the summer period to May 15, schools now have the opportunity to get started sooner if they would like to do that,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “This allows schools to spread out their coaching days in the summer a little more. We know that many of our schools want to have a team camp or do 7-on-7 football prior to June 1, so this allows that to happen.”

The changes are effective immediately and apply to the following team sports: Football, soccer, volleyball, field hockey, ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, softball and baseball.

Individual sports such as golf, tennis, cross country, swimming, gymnastics, bowling, wrestling and track and field, do not have any coaching period restrictions.