About time.
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"One idea calls for a ban on practices and other mandatory athletics activities, not including competition, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m."
I've heard of basketball teams having practice at 5:30am. But this rule wouldn't have affected either of my kids. It could have stopped an extra inning early evening weekday baseball game. They never had "optional" training before 6am or after 9pm. The only event between 9pm and 6am was travel. There's no getting around it.
The net: This rule wouldn't change a thing. If a kid is serious about academics to start studying by 9pm is still hell.
The good news is people are talking about it. I'm skeptical how it would be enforced, who would enforce it and the penalties associated with it. If they are going to limit "official" practice times or duration, I think that time is going to be pushed over into the "unofficial" practice times where athletes will be pressured to do sports work on their own or with the team...ie captains leading informal practices. If you don't think there is a lot of pressure to follow the team leaders then I think we are being naive.
As long as coaches are hired/fired based on only wins/losses this is going to be an issue and the motivation to game the system will be strong.
As always JMO.
I actually know of specific instances where coaches (at different D1 power programs) - mostly as punishments for poor play - would have the players get off the bus after arriving back on campus from an away night game and conduct full practices.