Menu
Dunklin County schools enjoy mandatory dead period
KENNETT, Mo. - Each summer, Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) requires schools across the state to participate in a dead period.
The MSHSAA dead week is a nine-day period where high school coaches are not allowed to have any practices, contact or schedule workouts with their athletes.
The 2024 MSHSAA handbook described the dead period as a “no school activities time”.
This includes open gyms, any competitions or conditioning in preparation for the upcoming season.
Kennett High School along with Malden High School experienced their dead period this past week. This can be difficult, especially for fall sports, with the season starting in just a few days. The first official football practice for both schools will be Monday, Aug. 12.
While there can be concerns about making sure athletes are prepared for the start of the season during this no activity period, Kennett Athletic Director Seth McBroom assures the dead week is a good thing for coaches and athletes.
“It’s kind of, in theory, a time for rest and recovery,” McBroom said. “I’m sure most coaches plan time with their families during this week because they know they can’t practice or maybe working on things at the house and spending time at home.”
A lot of athletes in high school participate in multiple sports throughout the school year. Summer training can become overwhelming for parents and athletes if they are expected to be at workouts for all of their respected sports each day.
Malden athletic director Tim Harmon is also the school’s baseball coach. As he organized summer games for his team, he also recognized how involved his players were in Malden athletics.
“Some of these kids are three sport athletes,” Harmon said. “They got football in the morning, basketball in the afternoon then baseball with me. So there’s a lot of wear and tear on these kids. I’m proud of them for being at all three all the time and putting in that kind of effort.”
Now, these athletes have a chance to rest and recover so they are ready for the first day of practice with their fall sport.
McBroom notes as this is a time for coaches to be with their families, it is also a time for students to enjoy the end of their summer before they are required to be student-athletes again.
“If I’m coaching a fall sport it would make me a little nervous,” McBroom said. “If your sport is right around the corner, you’re wanting to get started. I’m sure coaches that are about to start are probably wanting to work on some stuff, but as for the families and the students, it is a chance for them to spend some time together and a kid can be a kid or they can go to work that week without having to worry about missing practice.”
McBroom, as the high school boy’s basketball coach, experienced these nerves during the winter sports dead week. He had concerns whether his athletes will be ready for the first day of practice. However, he understands the importance of this rest period for himself as a coach and for his athletes to have a little downtime before their season starts.
Harmon said after a summer full of activities, this is the best time to completely recover and prepare for those fall sports.
“We’ve been gearing up all summer with workouts and weightlifting three or four days a week,” Harmon said. “I think they need a break before the season gets here and they have to get ready again for official competition. Maybe get a vacation or spend time doing things they enjoy. We depend on our athletes year round in sports and the summer is packed and busy with softball or baseball and volleyball and football. Now we have cross country in that mix too at Malden. It is good to have a little time away.”
Fall sports for Malden include a newly formed cross country team along with football and volleyball which begins practice on Aug. 12.
Kennett has cross country, football and soccer preparing for their season along with tennis and volleyball starting practice on Monday as well.