Joe,

I completely agree... how can it be fair for teams to run two-a-days while others simply can not because of school starting. I've heard the argument from coaches that they can still run 2-a-days, just have training for an hour before school, but we've also got to keep the kids well being in mind as well. What are your suggested solutions? We won't be able to please everyone, but if you create a rule to have no double sessions at all...then won't teams just state they are training from 8-1 and give an hour break...there seems to be no difference and it seems to be a lose-lose situation for the IHSA.

Speaking of which, have you seen the Regional sites this year and saturation of what could be loaded regionals for 3A and unfortunate drop offs in 2A and 1A? Any thoughts?

My first thought is to allow practice for high school teams to start Aug. 1. Then at least everyone can have time for two-a-days. I know some coaches run two-a-days after school if they start early, but is that really smart in the heat of August? Players are getting back into the swing of things with school, and then they have two-a-days after school? The era of not practicing on Sunday is going to come to an end soon, too. A number of teams play and practice on Sundays now, so that might be another option. I imagine this is a huge issue with football, because some teams have double the amount of practices than some going into the first game. As for the regional sites, it's the IHSA and it's all about the bottom dollar line. It's an AYSO tournament, everyone gets in, everyone plays in their group. It's sad, because in today's era, it can be done. But it takes the people in Bloomington to be a little creative instead of just punching the clock each year.

CornerKicks,

Please don't let practices start 8/1. HS coaches get 25 days with kids over the summer and these started mmediately after school ended and could be stretched out through July 28 last summer. Our only opportunity for family vacation was period between 7/28 and 8/13.

Top programs don't win because of 2/days. They win because of players year round commitment. Are the kids getting touches indoors in the winter, good competition with club in the spring, and good summer workouts.

The appeal to fairness is fine in theory, but the reality is that there is never a level playing field. The schools that start early and have a disadvantage in the fall have an advantage in spring sports when their students are able to concentrate on state finals without worrying about school work. The IHSA no contact period in August is the only time that coaches and players have to spend with families that has not been encroached upon. I would really hate to see it removed. While we're talking about level playing fields, what about schools that can offer things like summer school classes in soccer for credit or physical education credit for Varsity Soccer PE for girls during the winter? What about the issue of facilities? Joe has correctly and consistently addressed this issue with the CPS for a long time, but the fact is that there are wide disparities among suburban team in terms of number, size, and quality of facilities for soccer programs.

People can take vacation any time. That is a lame reason. Period.

Joe: I think we can agree to disagree without labeling reasons lame. The fact of the matter is that many high school athletes feel pressured by coaches to participate in summer programs. Right now, those programs are prohibited from operating after August 1. Even though these summer programs are not "mandatory" and cannot officially be used to determine whether or not someone makes a team, many players and parents feel that they would be put at disadvantage by not participating, and many coaches do imply that not participating will carry consequences. How many times do we see reports of high school coaches in various sports resigning to spend more time with their families? From a coach's perspective, anything that threatens to increase the amount of time spent away from one's family and limit the family's ability to do things together is not a good thing.

I totally agree. Now the IHSA does allow non-mandatory workouts to start June 23rd I believe. But we are a suburban catholic school, and two a days are out of the question. We start on August 13th and do 9-12 practices without stops in between. I know of Public schools who are able to do 2 a day practices until labor day, and thats how they get such good seedings in the State Tournament. Tell me what you think about the seeding in the 2A State Tournament.