Georgia GHSA Heat Policy and WBGT Guidelines
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sets heat limits for high school athletics by Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). Here are the activity limits at each level, and how Sports Safe applies them to your fields.
Outdoor practice stops
Above 92.0°F WBGT
Georgia WBGT activity chart
Normal activity
Under 82.0°F
Practice limit: None stated
Normal activity. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of 3 minutes each.
Use discretion
82.0 to 86.9°F
Practice limit: None stated
Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk players carefully. 3 rest breaks/hour, 4 min each.
Modify activity
87.0 to 89.9°F
Practice limit: 2 hours
Maximum practice 2 hours. Football restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts. Provide 4 rest breaks/hour, 4 min each.
Equipment: Football: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only; remove all other protective equipment for conditioning.
Severe restriction
90.0 to 92.0°F
Practice limit: 1 hour
Maximum practice 1 hour. No protective equipment, no conditioning. 20 minutes of rest breaks distributed through the hour.
Equipment: No protective equipment. No conditioning activities.
No outdoor workouts
Above 92.0°F
Practice limit: No outdoor practice
No outdoor workouts. Delay practice until a cooler WBGT level is reached.
| WBGT | Level | Practice limit | What the chart says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 82.0°F | Normal activity | None stated | Normal activity. Provide at least 3 separate rest breaks each hour of a minimum of 3 minutes each. |
| 82.0 to 86.9°F | Use discretion | None stated | Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; watch at-risk players carefully. 3 rest breaks/hour, 4 min each. |
| 87.0 to 89.9°F | Modify activity | 2 hours | Maximum practice 2 hours. Football restricted to helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts. Provide 4 rest breaks/hour, 4 min each. Equipment: Football: helmet, shoulder pads, and shorts only; remove all other protective equipment for conditioning. |
| 90.0 to 92.0°F | Severe restriction | 1 hour | Maximum practice 1 hour. No protective equipment, no conditioning. 20 minutes of rest breaks distributed through the hour. Equipment: No protective equipment. No conditioning activities. |
| Above 92.0°F | No outdoor workouts | No outdoor practice | No outdoor workouts. Delay practice until a cooler WBGT level is reached. |
Key points
- Take readings at least every 30 minutes, starting 30 minutes before practice.
- Once a WBGT range holds for 15 minutes, its restrictions apply for the rest of that practice, even if WBGT drops.
- GHSA requires a scientifically approved WBGT monitor and says phone apps are not approved for WBGT readings. Use an approved meter for the reading of record.
Common questions
- At what WBGT does outdoor practice stop in Georgia?
- Using the GHSA heat policy, Sports Safe stops outdoor practice above 92.0°F WBGT.
- How long can practice last at each heat level in Georgia?
- Under the GHSA heat policy, the practice time limits are: Modify activity, 87.0 to 89.9°F: 2 hours; Severe restriction, 90.0 to 92.0°F: 1 hour. Levels not listed have no time limit stated, and at the top level outdoor practice stops.
- Does Sports Safe use the heat chart for Georgia automatically?
- Yes. Sports Safe uses the GHSA chart for fields in Georgia. You can choose a different chart for any field in its settings.
How Sports Safe uses the Georgia chart
Sports Safe estimates WBGT for each of your fields from current weather, checks it against this chart, and alerts you when a field moves into a stricter level. On the Organization plan, coaches can keep a timestamped log of meter readings and the actions taken.
An app estimate supports your decisions but is not a WBGT meter. Where your association requires readings from an approved instrument, use one for the reading of record.
Source
Summarized from the GHSA's published heat policy. The 30 minute reading schedule, the 15 minute rule, and the phone app guidance come from GHSA's reminder about that policy (ghsa.net, "Reminder: Practice Policy for Heat and Humidity"); the policy document itself calls for hourly readings. View the source. Last reviewed October 3, 2026.
Sports Safe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Georgia High School Association. Policies change, so always confirm the current rules with your association and follow your school's emergency action plan.