Maryland heat rules for high school sports.
Maryland mandates a preseason heat-acclimatization model with three heat-index codes. The athletic director and athletic trainer make the official local call using the school's approved method.
What coaches need to know
- Below 95°F heat index: unrestricted water, optional 10-minute breaks every 30 minutes, cooling supplies, and close monitoring.
- 95–104°F: mandatory 10-minute breaks every 30 minutes and reduce outdoor time or move into air conditioning.
- 105°F and above: stop outdoor activity and stop indoor activity without air conditioning.
- The model permits heat-index or WBGT-based local decisions; the athletic director, consulting the athletic trainer, makes the call at the hottest field.
- The school system may determine the active heat code.
Model Policy for Preseason-Practice Heat Acclimatization
Maryland identifies this as a mandated model policy. Its chart permits heat-index or WBGT-based local decisions; the athletic director, consulting the athletic trainer, makes the call using the hottest field and the school system may set the code.
| Condition | What the coach does |
|---|---|
| Heat index under 95° | Code Gold — heat index below 95°F
|
| Heat index 95°–105° | Code Orange — reduce outdoor time
|
| Heat index 105° and above | Code Red — stop activity
|
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Use the current governing document. Local schools, districts, leagues, activities, and medical staff may apply additional or stricter requirements.