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Heat Stress and Participation FAQs

UIL Heat Protocols Frequently Asked Questions

The 2026-2027 UIL Heat Protocols are intended to promote the health and safety of student participants by establishing statewide standards for monitoring environmental conditions and modifying outdoor athletic and marching band activities when necessary. This document is designed to assist schools in understanding and implementing the required protocols. It should be read in conjunction with the official 2026-2027 Heat Stress & Athletic Participation Required Plan, which remains the governing document.

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Why did the UIL move from recommended heat protocols to required standards?
Following three years of recommending the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) guidelines, the UIL Medical Advisory Committee recommended that these protocols become required standards. The recommendation was based upon continuing medical research, accepted national best practices, and ongoing evaluation of heat-related safety measures. The UIL Legislative Council subsequently approved the recommendation, making the standards effective August 1, 2026.
Does this change mean the UIL believes coaches and athletic trainers have not been doing a good job?
No. The overwhelming majority of coaches, athletic trainers, and school leaders across Texas have demonstrated outstanding professionalism for many years in protecting student-athletes through hydration, acclimatization, practice modifications, and sound decision-making. The move to required standards reflects a commitment to greater statewide consistency while incorporating current, accepted medical recommendations and best practices.
Who developed these protocols?
The protocols were originally adopted by the United States military medical researchers to combat heat illness during recruit boot camps. The American College of Sports Medicine translated the original index into the current protocols utilized today. The UIL adopted the protocols as a required mandate after the UIL Medical Advisory Committee, which includes physicians, athletic trainers, administrators, and representatives from THSCA and TGCA recommended its required adoption. The UIL Legislative Council approved the recommendation after consideration of the committee's work.
When must WBGT readings be taken?
WBGT readings should be taken within 15 minutes prior to the beginning of outdoor activity and every 30 minutes throughout practice or workouts. It is not expected that the WBGT be continuously monitored throughout practice but that readings be taken every 30 minutes throughout practices or workouts. Schools may utilize a scientifically approved on-site instrument or an approved internet-based WBGT forecasting resource..
Where must WBGT readings be taken?
WBGT readings should be taken at all practices held outdoors, including covered pavilions, as well as indoor facilities that are not climate-controlled. For covered pavilions and indoor facilities, best practice for measurement of WBGT is using a handheld device on the practice surface.
Does the WBGT reading require schools to automatically change activities every 30 minutes?.
Not necessarily. The purpose of taking WBGT readings every 30 minutes is to continuously monitor changing environmental conditions. Schools should not mechanically react to every incremental change. Responsible school personnel should use the Required WBGT Activity Guidelines together with sound professional judgment to make informed decisions that prioritize student safety.
What should schools consider when WBGT conditions change during practice?
Schools should consider the current WBGT classification, trend, the amount of practice completed, the remaining practice time, recovery opportunities, participant condition, practice organization, acclimatization status, and overall environmental conditions. The WBGT guidelines are intended to inform in practice, responsible decision-making, not replace it.
Should schools document WBGT readings?
While not required, the UIL recommends maintaining records of WBGT readings associated with outdoor practices as a best practice.
If practice begins under one WBGT category and conditions worsen, must practice immediately stop?
Not necessarily. Responsible school personnel should evaluate the totality of the circumstances and make appropriate modifications consistent with the Required WBGT Activity Guidelines when practices have already started. The amount of time practiced under a WBGT level should greatly inform in practice decision making. If practice is scheduled to begin under one activity level and the WBGT moves to a more restrictive level, all concerned should transition to the more restrictive condition. Similarly, if conditions improve prior to practice, modifications can be made.
If WBGT improves during practice, may schools automatically extend practice time?
Not automatically. Consider the cumulative workload already placed on participants together with participant well-being before extending practice. For example, if you practiced the majority of your practice in red activity conditions, you should not extend practice time measurably outside of the original, implemented guidelines..
What role does professional judgment play?
Professional judgment remains essential. The protocols establish required minimum standards while expecting responsible school personnel to apply sound professional judgment consistent with the intent of the guidelines.
When is a rapid cooling zone required?
Rapid cooling zones are required whenever outdoor athletic or marching band activities are conducted in WBGT conditions of 79.7 or higher in Class 2 or 82.0 or higher in Class 3.
What equipment satisfies the rapid cooling requirement?
Rapid cooling zones must include the ability for full body immersion in ice water if an individual is experiencing heat illness or distress. This could include cold-water immersion tubs or ice-water tarps capable of rapid full-body cooling. Shade, towels, ice sponges, water misters, and other cooling resources are encouraged to supplement but not replace the full body immersion standard.
What should Emergency Action Plans include?
Emergency Action Plans should identify procedures for recognizing heat illness, activating EMS when appropriate, and providing rapid cooling through cold-water immersion or equivalent methods.
Do WBGT practice limitations apply to contests?
No. Practice limitations do not apply to contests; however, schools should monitor WBGT, maintain required rapid cooling zones, and make responsible modifications to contests to allow for the safe participation of all concerned.
What contest modifications should schools consider?
Possible modifications include adjusting start times, additional hydration opportunities, additional official timeouts where appropriate, shade, fans, misters, ice towels, extended halftime, access to air-conditioned facilities, and quarter-length modifications for sub-varsity contests when mutually agreed upon.
Why do the WBGT protocols not formally include contests?
While the UIL would expect that schools make modifications to allow for safe participation in contests, the WBGT protocols are not required for contests due to the following:
1. The vast majority of past heat related incidents have occurred in practices both in Texas and nationally for the past 20 years.
2. The amount of participants on a team or roster actually participating at any one time during a contest is vastly different from a sustained practice and the amount of individual activity time in a contest is also typically of shorter sustained duration than a practice.
How will violations of the UIL WBGT protocols be addressed?
As with any potential UIL violation of rules, the UIL would rely on the local District Executive Committee to consider any allegations of rules violations and the applying of penalties as prescribed by the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules. The DEC could also recommend that the situation be sent to the State Executive Committee for consideration of a range of penalties for individuals, programs and schools.
What does the UIL expect from schools?
The UIL expects schools to implement these protocols in good faith, plan thoughtfully, communicate effectively, collaborate across campus, utilize sound professional judgment, and consistently prioritize the health and safety of student participants.
What if my school is on the line between Class 2 and Class 3 on the map?
Schools that are located near the boundary between WBGT Class 2 and Class 3 should make a local determination as to which classification they will use before the start of the school year. Once that decision is made, we ask that the school apply that classification consistently throughout the school year.

The intent is that schools do not switch between Class 2 and Class 3 based on which classification is more favorable on a particular day or week. Instead, they should make a good-faith determination based on their local conditions and remain consistent in the application of the WBGT requirements.

As a best practice, we recommend communicating that decision to the District Executive Committee (DEC) and the other schools in the district so everyone understands which set of WBGT thresholds the school will be following. There is no requirement to notify the UIL of their selection.