High Schools Around Alabama Begin Summer Football Practices, Amid

Now that June has begun, the next phase of Governor Kay Ivey’s Safer At Home Order has updated. Under this current phase, high schools specifically are allowed to begin voluntary workouts for athletics.

Governor Ivey is asking that whenever possible, individuals stay six feet apart from each other, especially if they have prior health concerns. In addition, Ivey states that when players are not in action, they should be wearing facial coverings and sanitizing their hands.

In the south, especially the state of Alabama, this provides interesting problems. According to USClimateData.com, the average high temperatures in Alabama are 88° in June and 91° in July and August. In addition, humidity levels can reach the high 80s in the mornings when many teams workout.

Prior to practices and competitions, Ivey is requesting coaches, players, officials, and even fans to take temperatures and even skip events if they feel like they may have COVID-19.

Finally, Ivey states that coaches, players, and officials should refrain from high fives, handshakes, and shared water containers.

Many reporters have started to share photos and videos of teams practicing outside, including weightlifting drills, conditioning, and regular field drills.

Jamie Hale of ABC 33/40 even joined Southern Fried Sports to discuss what she saw while visiting several high school facilities.

These videos are courtesy of Olivia Whitmire of WHNT in Huntsville and Jamie Hale of ABC 33/40.

As of June 1, practice by college programs is allowed, but at the time of the writing of this story, the Crimson Tide has not returned to workouts.

The first official day of competition for high school football season in Alabama is August 20, so there is plenty of time for lesser guidelines to be established, but as of now high school football season could be looking a little different this year.

For more information on COVID-19 guidelines, you can visit http://alabamapublichealth.gov

You can listen to the full interview with Jamie Hale on Southern Fried Sports on Soundcloud or Youtube. Southern Fried Sports with Travis Reier airs every weekday from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Tide 100.9 FM or stream it on the free TIDE1009app.