Tennessee TSSAA Heat Policy

Tennessee is the clearest example of a state that lets you pick your instrument. Each school reads either WBGT or heat index — and the two ladders are printed side by side, so the same practice can be governed by two different numbers depending on what you own.

WBGT or heat index — the school chooses

The policy's first line: "Each school is responsible for obtaining either a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature or Heat Index reading at the site of practices and competitions." It then puts a thumb on the scale: "Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) takes into account more environmental factors than heat index and should be a school's first choice when evaluating conditions and planning activities."

Activity guidelines by WBGT (°F)

WBGT (°F)Required modifications
GREEN < 82.0
  • The policy states no modifications below its lowest listed threshold.
YELLOW 82.0 – 86.9
  • Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk participants closely.
  • At least 3 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 3 min each.
ORANGE 87 to 89.9
  • Maximum practice time: 120 min.
  • At least 4 separate rest breaks each hour, minimum 4 min each.
  • Football: contact allowed and full pads may be worn for contact work, but shoulder pads and helmets come off for anything non-contact; all protective equipment except padded pants comes off for conditioning.
RED 90 to 92
  • Maximum practice time: 60 min.
  • At least 20 min of rest breaks distributed through each hour.
  • No conditioning activities.
  • Football: no protective equipment for non-contact practice; it may be worn only for drills that do involve contact.
BLACK Above 92.0
  • No outdoor workouts. Delay practice until a cooler WBGT is reached.

The policy's table starts at its lowest listed threshold and states nothing below it. This site shows that silence instead of inventing a "normal activities" row.

The heat index ladder it pairs with

These are heat index degrees, not WBGT. The pairing below is TSSAA's own — it is a policy choice about which number triggers which rule, not a claim that the two scales are equivalent.

Heat index (°F)Printed alongside WBGT
Under 9582.0 – 86.9
95 Degrees to 99 Degrees87 to 89.9
100 Degrees to 104 Degrees90 to 92
Above 104 DegreesAbove 92.0

When a phone app is allowed

Tennessee is unusual in permitting an app in writing — but only for heat index, and only as a last resort: "The use of a weather app on a cell phone is permissible to measure heat index if no other instrument is available to measure heat index at the site of the practice or competition." Note what that does not say. It does not authorise a phone or a website as your WBGT reading; the policy asks for a reading "at the site" of the activity.

Cold water immersion — for every warm-weather practice

This recommendation is not tied to any band; the policy bolds it as a baseline for all of them: "A cold water immersion tub or other form of rapid on-site cooling should be available for all warm weather practices. If exertional heat stroke is suspected, use immersion for on-site cooling before transporting to the hospital. Access to water should be available to all athletes at all times."

What is covered

The policy is written for practices and interscholastic competitions, including preseason scrimmages and jamborees. It does not mention marching band, so band directors in Tennessee have no state rule to point at — ask your district.

All thresholds and modification text above derive from the TSSAA Heat Policy (revised October 2024), cross-checked on 2026-08-09. TSSAA Heat Policy (Revised October 2024)

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