The Georgia High School Association is stepping up efforts to make football practices safer beginning this season. 

A recent three year study by the University of Georgia revealed heat related deaths for school-age athletes tripled between 1994 and 2009; and Georgia suffered more deaths than any other state. 

As a result new rules are in place, including three-a-day preseason practices now being banned, and practice in pads now limited to three hours. 

Also each player must participate in five days of practices in only helmets, T-shirts and shorts before going to full pads in August. These practices are limited to two hours and cannot begin before July 25.

Dr. Ralph Swearngin, executive director of the GHSA tells the AJC, “We want to make sure that all the kids are out in the sun with moderate levels of practices without the heavy equipment so they get used to outdoors.  Research has shown there are times when players are most vulnerable.’"

The system used to determine heat and humidity will change as well, as school must use wet-bulb temperatures, not heat index, for limiting or canceling practices.

School that violate the new rules will face fines of up to $1,000.