What Is a Dead Period?
According to MSHSAA, a dead period is “a period of defined length in which no contact takes place between school
coaches/directors of MSHSAA-sponsored activities and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled
in the member school during the next school year. Further, during the dead period school facilities are not utilized by
enrolled students in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA. The dead period is a “no school
activities time”; no open gyms, competitions, practices, conditioning, weight training; no activity-related functions or
fundraisers, camps or clinics at school facilities or sponsored elsewhere by the school; no coaches/directors or students
may have planned contact other than casual, normal community, non-activity contact. While there may be sports
activities during this time, they must not involve the school coach, the school or school facilities.”
coaches/directors of MSHSAA-sponsored activities and students enrolled in the member school, or who will be enrolled
in the member school during the next school year. Further, during the dead period school facilities are not utilized by
enrolled students in connection with any sport or activity governed by MSHSAA. The dead period is a “no school
activities time”; no open gyms, competitions, practices, conditioning, weight training; no activity-related functions or
fundraisers, camps or clinics at school facilities or sponsored elsewhere by the school; no coaches/directors or students
may have planned contact other than casual, normal community, non-activity contact. While there may be sports
activities during this time, they must not involve the school coach, the school or school facilities.”
Why a Dead Period?
According to MSHSAA, “the dead period concept was adopted by the membership in order to allow families a free week
with no school activities so they might be able to take a family vacation during this period, or simply have a break from
the normal summer sports and activity routine”.
with no school activities so they might be able to take a family vacation during this period, or simply have a break from
the normal summer sports and activity routine”.
When Are the Dead Periods?
MSHSAA requires each school to establish a summer dead period for sports as well as a summer dead period for
activities (band, cheerleading, etc.). Schools may make these the same week or separate weeks. Our school makes them
separate weeks, but many students are involved in both sports and activities, meaning they could potentially never get a
full break. Therefore, our school requires that both those weeks be honored as dead periods by sports and activities.
This year the combined dead periods span from Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, July 6.
Additionally, MSHSAA requires that all sports observe a seven-day dead period the week before their first allowable
practice. For fall sports such as cross country, this will be from Monday, August 4 through Sunday, August 10.
activities (band, cheerleading, etc.). Schools may make these the same week or separate weeks. Our school makes them
separate weeks, but many students are involved in both sports and activities, meaning they could potentially never get a
full break. Therefore, our school requires that both those weeks be honored as dead periods by sports and activities.
This year the combined dead periods span from Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, July 6.
Additionally, MSHSAA requires that all sports observe a seven-day dead period the week before their first allowable
practice. For fall sports such as cross country, this will be from Monday, August 4 through Sunday, August 10.
Can an Athlete Still Run/Train During the Dead Period?
Absolutely. Athletes are free to run, lift, stretch, etc. as much as they want, as long as it isn’t done in the presence of coaches
or done on school/parish property. Athletes will receive recommended workouts to do during this time. However, these are simply recommendations for those wanting to maintain momentum and not requirements. If families go on vacation, enjoying that experience should be the priority. If athletes find a chance to run, all the better, but it shouldn't get in the way of quality family time.
or done on school/parish property. Athletes will receive recommended workouts to do during this time. However, these are simply recommendations for those wanting to maintain momentum and not requirements. If families go on vacation, enjoying that experience should be the priority. If athletes find a chance to run, all the better, but it shouldn't get in the way of quality family time.
Can an Athlete Run/Train at School During the Dead Period?
No. Athletes are not allowed to use school facilities for any training during this period. That includes football/practice
fields and parking lots. If an athlete is on school property doing anything related to cross country, that’s a problem. By extension, that includes our course.
That being said, the streets/sidewalks around school are public property. If athletes feel more comfortable running the
routes near school, they aren’t technically in violation as long as they avoid the school property itself. However, there are
plenty of other great places to run in Perryville, such as the parks, the TG Trail, or the county lake trail.
fields and parking lots. If an athlete is on school property doing anything related to cross country, that’s a problem. By extension, that includes our course.
That being said, the streets/sidewalks around school are public property. If athletes feel more comfortable running the
routes near school, they aren’t technically in violation as long as they avoid the school property itself. However, there are
plenty of other great places to run in Perryville, such as the parks, the TG Trail, or the county lake trail.
Can an Athlete Train With Other Athletes During the Dead Period?
Yes. Athletes can run alone or with other teammates, as long as it satisfies the conditions above. In the past some of our
runners have taken it upon themselves to coordinate gatherings, so that might be something to keep an eye out for.
runners have taken it upon themselves to coordinate gatherings, so that might be something to keep an eye out for.
Can an Athlete Contact Coaches During the Dead Period?
No, at least not for anything related to cross country. Nor are coaches allowed to contact students. For this reason, nothing will be postd on the team website, social media accounts, or Google Classroom page during that time.
Can Parents Contact Coaches During the Dead Period?
Parents are free to contact coaches with questions or concerns and may do so at any point. We are happy to respond.
Technically coaches can contact parents as well. However, in the spirit of the dead period, we won’t be posting anything.
Technically coaches can contact parents as well. However, in the spirit of the dead period, we won’t be posting anything.