GHSA UPDATE
The wait to implement instant replay at GHSA football championship events is officially over. At its state executive committee meeting last Monday in Macon, the motion was passed unanimously.
Like the NFL, video reviews may be initiated by head coaches by throwing a red challenge flag, and each team will have one review per half. Review officials will have two minutes to come to a decision. Regardless of the outcome of a replay review, no timeout will be charged.
Full details of the approved proposal is at https://www.ghsa.net/proposal- use-instant-replay-championships.
Multiple other items were approved on as well. One of them was related to head injuries.
A new by-law relating to concussions was also passed unanimously. Under the new language, any student-athlete who has sustained and has been diagnosed with a traumatic head injury (concussion) must follow a minimum of a five-step return-to-play protocol.
That recommendation is based on an athlete completing the following return-to-sport strategy once they have become “symptom free” as determined by an appropriate healthcare professional.
A minimum of 24-48 hours of both physical and cognitive rest must take place once the diagnosis is made:
• Level 1: Activity – “activities of daily living” that do not cause symptoms to re-occur (gradual return to school)
• Level 2: Activity – Light aerobic activity such as walking or stationary bicycle (at a low pace with no resistance)
• Level 3: Activity - Running drills, sport-specific activity without head impact
• Level 4: Activity – Intensity of training drills may be increased. Limited practice with non-contact drills. Progressive resistance training may begin. Level 5: Activity – Full medical clearance by a healthcare professional, unrestricted training activities including contact drills may begin Level 6: Activity – Unrestricted participation to sport A minimum of 24 hours must take place before progression to the next level Another amendment related to football in the GHSA constitution was also approved unanimously. As a result, overtime in football contests may not be played between teams of different classifications unless both head coaches agree beforehand in the presence of a referee. The Greyhounds four non-region games against Northside, Dacula, Perry and Peach County are all against teams from different classifications.
A slight change that will impact student sections in basketball was also passed 74-1. Under the amendment, spectators of participating schools will not be allowed to sit or stand in the first row of seating at court level, and a minimum of one school administrator must be in close proximity to the student section.
The golf season will remain in the spring for the Greyhounds following a vote at last week’s meetings. A proposal to move the season for the sport’s three largest classifications failed by an overall vote of 48-24.
