SAN ANGELO, TX -- On Oct. 22, the UIL voted to make significant changes to the summer strength and conditioning guidelines. One of those changes was non-contact, sport-specific coaching during the summer.

The new rule allows schools a maximum of two hours per week to go through drills tailored to respective positions and sports during their summer workouts.

As reported by the Dallas Morning News’ Callie Caplan, the move came in response to a rise in private trainers, which were only available to certain socioeconomic groups. Schools in lower income areas faced stronger disadvantages.

The new rule took effect on May 1, 2019, and area coaches already feel they’re reaping the benefit of the governing body’s decision.

San Angelo Central offensive coordinator Kevin Crane feels the decision has been vital for the Bobcats’ young team getting ready for the fall. They just qualified for the state 7-on-7 tournament and Crane thinks the new rule is to thank for that.

“We get two hours per week to work specific drills with them and our plan is to work them 30 minutes per day Monday through Thursday to utilize that two hour span,” Crane said. “We’ve used some of the time leading up to our 7-on-7 tournaments. To me, it’s a good thing and it’s fun to get out there to coach the kids in the summer. I think it’s beneficial to them and the coaching staff as well.”

But Central is a team set in tradition and has a way of keeping the ball rolling through what used to be a dead period for sport-specific coaching. Other schools are looking to build off momentous seasons in 2018.

This move arguably means more for schools like Eldorado, who won a share of the District 8-2A Division II crown in 2018. It was their first title in six seasons and the Eagles have their expectations set high for 2019.

“We’ve been able to … keep them in football mode during the spring and summer,” Eldorado offensive coordinator Zane Hernandez said. “It’s let us kinda get a head start on the fall and two-a-days. I think our guys have really answered to that. As you can tell, we’re miles ahead where we would be going into the summer. … That showed today (at the Sonora 7-on-7 tournament).”

It’s a different story for first year head coaches, who are likely trying to implement new systems at their new jobs.

For coaches like Sonora’s Kevin Sherrill, who was hired in May, he’s relishing every second he gets to implement his new run-oriented Slot-T.

“It’s real big. I think primarily because I came in so late,” Sherrill said. “It allows for us to maybe catch up because we’re installing a new offense, a new defense and stuff like that. So, it’s all about learning the new terminology, it’s all about getting a foundation laid. As long as we can have great participation in summer strength and conditioning, it’s gonna be a great thing.”

Sherrill got another chance to see his players in action during the Sonora 7-on-7 state qualifying tournament on Saturday. He was encouraged to see some of the summer work starting to pay off for his Broncos, who clinched a state tournament berth despite dropping two of their first three games.

“What I liked best was the fact that, I feel like we started slow, but we finished fast,” Sherrill said. “As the day progressed, it got hotter. But we’ve really been on the kids about conditioning and stuff like that. Those kids are going to have to be two-way players. They’re gonna have to be kids who don’t leave the field. So, they’re going to have to be in great shape. That’s what I pulled from today. We took some hits, but we finished strong. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”