The fast and furious month that is June for junior high and high school athletes will end with a break.

A mandated one. At least as far as schools are concerned.

The Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association mandates a nineday dead period each year. It occurs annually during the week that includes the Fourth of July.

This year, that is June 27 through July 5.

During that time, students cannot use any school facilities for athletic purposes and there cannot be any contact with coaches.

That means events like Summer Pride, team camps, individual camps and individual training must come to a halt when it involves school-related events.

Penalties do occur if there are violations.

The OSSAA will suspend the coach or sponsor for the first half of their regular season in that athletic activity.

If school personnel who are not designated as a coach or a sponsor in the activity violate the rules, the head coach in that sport will still be suspended for half of the regular season.

All activities - such as summertime workouts can resume Monday, July 6.