North Carolina high school coaches leery of new player safety rules

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association has passed tougher penalties for helmet-to-helmet hits. In fact, the organization, in trying to make the game safer, has passed a rule similar to the NCAA's targeting penalty.

However, many coaches who attended a seminar on the NCHSAA's rules offered mixed reactions, .

Even a first-year coach, Randy Ragland, voiced displeasure about changing the way he coaches to teach kids a safer way to play.

The NCHSAA is considering more safety rule changes, including limited hitting during practices. One coach, Red Springs' George Coltharp, has won 20 games during the past two seasons without hitting in practice.

-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor