Having weighed in during high school and college shoulder to shoulder, 1-2 hrs before competition and coaching under both systems, I believe our current weigh-in rules are the best for our athletes. Yes, I understand that our athletes still use plastics, saunas, etc. Our choice is for athletes to begin making their final cut down to weight at practice the night before competition and making weight that morning, or showing up for school the morning of competition and cutting weight during the school day for the weigh in that night. I do believe cutting weight during the school day does negatively impact not only academic performance but also opens the window for school staff to frown upon our sport.
The down side is we don't like it when we hear that some schools don't follow the weigh in rules and I realize shoulder to shoulder weigh in's would solve that. The fact that we do weigh in shoulder to shoulder at regionals and state helps make that issue more palatable. I strongly believe that academically we have it right for our student-athletes.
I strongly don't believe we are doing this for academic reasons. The kids will be pulling just as much on Wed instead of Thursday. Either way, they are not thinking of Academics and are thinking of pulling weight.
How many studs can get beat on the first day of competition when they have to make +1 that night compared to the second day when a 106 pounder can weigh up to 126? You(Coaches) are encouraging weight pulling and hiding behind academics. Be honest, at least with yourself.
