Originally posted by sportsfan02:
Can someone tell me if this type of testing is really needed? I myself can't understand why it would be needed if you still have to have a doctors permission to drop below a certain amount of weight. All the talk I hear on the national boards from coaches about fat and hydration testing is negative. Are they being overly dramatic or is this something the sport needs. If this will have a negative effect on our sport I hope that all the Kansas coaches will band together and try to block it's implementation.
I don't know if this type of testing is "needed", that depends on the coaches, athletes and parents at each school. The coaches posting on National forums are probably followig the National Wrestling Federation Guidelines, which are overly strict and require a ridiculous amount of documentation. I know for a fact we will not be adopting these standards (I know someone on the board that is setting up the guidelines).
As far as need, in my opinion, it is basically a way to reduce the coach's and activities association's liablity in the event a tragedy were to occur, like someone dying (sp?) due to cutting weight. I also think it will help coaches when dealing with over zealous parents that want their kids to cut too much weight (they are out there). I do know the board making this decision is trying to be as fair as possible, make it is a little additional work for the coaches as possible, and still protect students from harming themselves, and has talked about patterning their system on Iowa's.
VS Vikes Coach can you fill us in on Iowa's fat testing and hydration testing system?
