Tiger sports teams will observe a mandatory “dead week” for the next few days.
This year the period runs from June 29 through Saturday. Beginning last summer the Georgia High School Association executive committee approved the “dead week” by request of the Georgia High School Association coaches. Each year the “dead week” will run from the Sunday through the Saturday in which the Fourth of July falls.
The GHSA states that during this time no school teams may conduct conditioning drills, practices, or be involved in competitions on or off the school’s campus.
This means that weight training, running drills, passing league games in football, school-based summer league games in baseball, team camps in a variety of sports may not occur during this week.
With the final countdown for high school football teams quickly approaching most coaches are delighted with the week off.
“Our players have been working extremely hard since last football season came to an
end. When July gets here they begin to see the start of the season approaching and they give that little extra,” said Dawson County High School’s head football coach Jeff Lee.
The first day of preseason practice comes Aug. 1 for football. On that day all teams in Georgia may practice in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads. Teams may break out all pads beginning Aug. 6.
The Tigers will open the season with their first regular season game at home on Aug. 29 against rival Lumpkin County.
Dawson County head boys basketball coach Thad Burgess said, “We are pretty much done until school begins anyway. Our kids played at the Birmingham-Southern Camp last week. After this camp we won’t see them until preseason workouts begin when school opens.”
“June was a good month for us. Our kids participated in most everything we did. I think our kids are looking for this week off to recharge their batteries,” said Lee about his team’s preseason workouts.
Most coaches also seem to feel that players need the time off during the holiday weekend.
“I’m looking forward to taking some time off from basketball,” Burgess said. “I know the players are.”
Lee and his staff will turn their attention on getting the players used to the hot and humid days of August.
“We have to get our kids in top physical condition. Our coaching staff does a great job of teaching our players about hydration and taking care of their bodies. This will be our major focus in preparation of full pads in August,” he said.
With the dog days of summer approaching, athletic teams at Dawson County will rest during the fourth weekend.
Beginning July 7 fall sports teams will begin the process of getting their players in shape for the hot days ahead.
E-mail Pam Jacobs at sports@dawsonnews.com.