It is the time where high school athletes in the Commonwealth are supposed to get the chance to take a break from the rigors of high school sports, and it is coming up next week. The annual “Dead Period” is set to begin on Wednesday across the state.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association enforces the annual shutdown time from June 25 to July 9. During this time period, all school-related athletic activities are suspended.
This break prohibits the use of school facilities, equipment, uniforms, and transportation for any KHSAA-sanctioned sport. Additionally, coaches are barred from communicating with athletes through any means, including email, social media, or phone calls.
The KHSAA has noted that the primary objective of this period is to provide student-athletes, coaches, and families with a designated time to rest and recharge, addressing concerns about year-round athletic commitments and potential burnout.
Established more than two decades ago, the “Dead Period” was introduced in response to increasing demands of continuous athletic participation, which often left little room for family vacations or personal downtime. By implementing this mandatory break, the KHSAA is working to ensure that athletes have the opportunity to recover physically and mentally.
While the “Dead Period” restricts organized team activities, individual athletes can still choose to engage in personal workouts or training sessions independently, as long as the activities are not organized or supervised by school personnel.
It is important to note that violations of the KHSAA “Dead Period” guidelines can lead to penalties for both the school and individuals involved.
