hydration and safety for football practice?

Question

We just moved to South Carolina and my son has started HS Football. Practice is everyday after school from 3-7 I think that is a bit too long in extreme heat.....mid 90's today....but I am a bit protective. Yesturday a child was taken to the hospital with signs of heat stroke. I dont want to say anything to the school or coach because I wouldnt want to jepordise his chances of making the team. Hopefully this is just a weeding out process and they will stop over pushing the kids soon. I understand disapline and pushing kids to great er levels but when it jepordises their health I begin to worry. The coach had them doing up downs for almost an hour today...........all the time he stood in the shade drinking a sweet tea.........Are there any football players out there that have any suggestions on how to keep from getting sick.....tips on hydration, cooling off, etc.....

A couple of people said to get the sweet tea away from my son........its not him drinking it, it was the coach......they do have water available but when they drink a lot they cramp up.........

Answer 1

even though it tastes good, get that sweet tea away from him, no sugars, it does no good. Even if it might be against school rules, let him take some bottles of water to school in his bookbag, usually faculty will bend the rules for athletes so that they won't hurt themselves. Let him know if he needs to throw up during practice, just throw up, he will only feel better after that. Get him out of the shade and get him out there breaking a sweat. They should weigh him before and after every practice to monitor the amount of water he sweats, usually it will be about 5 pounds a day. Give him plenty of water to drink throughout the day, and he should weigh in about the same as he weighed in the day before, and should weigh out about the same as he weighed out the day before. If he sees blue dots at the end of the day, that means that he is not getting enough oxygen to his brain, that just means he needs to run more each day. Talk with the medical staff on the team, they'll let you know what you need to do.
And I used to practice football everyday in 105+ degree weather everyday, so he will be fine.
And it is also not really a weeding out process, it is more about toughing up their bodys because alot worse things can happen unless they are not physically prepared to handle abuse.

Answer 2

I think the whole football thing is just madmen on ego trips, and what they expect of the kids borders on child abuse. So it's hard for me to visualize a parent letting that happen to their son, especially knowing that he could end up as a "weed".

But aside from that, the real question you should ask is about hydration. When I was a runner (10-15 miles) we always took a water break every 20 minutes and our motto was "always run in the shade".

1. Does the team get any rest breaks during these 4 hours?
2. Do they get water breaks?

Answer 3

Ma'am i know how u feel. i live in california and am doing high school football practice except its 8am-3pm. so all i know is. if u can, get a brand called under armour. they have great gear/suits that are made for athletics to keep cool. also, gatorade really does work. so if u can buy some gatorade in bulk packs.

remember this. if u let him sit in the shade. he wont ever learn to be a man. its so dam hot but i practice for 6 hrs one hr break. the harder he works the better he will be.

there is a difference between hurting and heat stroke injury. a little pain, sore, booboo, stomachache is just pain. he can play thru it. but heat stroke and dehydration is injury. remember that every night he needs at least a gallon of water every night and eat 3 bananas before the next practice. im dealing with it right now. and boy there is no mom waiting on the sideline for us. we feel pain we feel sore. but we live thru it.

ur son can live thru it. i guarentee that he shudnt explode out with technique. he cud build it all up over practicing. good luck

Answer 4

He has to drink ALOT of water when NOT practicing. Stay away from carbonated beverages, as this only makes it worse during practice. Also have to make sure he's eating healthy. Stay away from fried foods. . .increase protein. Send your son with a gallon jug of water each day if they don't provide a water table (or hose) at practices.
You're right, it's a weeding out process and it will end very soon. Good luck.

Answer 5

You need to check to see if there is a policy in place that requires all student atheletes to hydrate themselves every 20 minutes. If I were you, I would definately say something, in lieu of the heat-related deaths of high school players recently. Absent of a policy, I'd urge you to recommend for them to take a proactive stance about this, that would benefit the entire team, and the school, not just your son.

Answer 6

I have a son in football I make sure he has plenty water and Gatorade. I did pick up water bottles for him to use to spray over his head when they stop for a drink. It seem to cool him down . Have him try not to eat rite be for practice Our coach told the boys not to eat 2 hours be for practice. AND NO POP OR CAFFEINE To drink water the 2 hours be for practice but not to make yourself fill full.

Answer 7

It's been a long time since I was in high school. But I remember there were always salt tablet dispensers in the lockerrooms and gyms, and the coach always encouraged us to take them. Salt minimizes dehydration.

Answer 8

lol 200 would be pretty heavy unless your jacked, i would say 170-190 for highschool varsity depends on your height to. if your 6'4" it would be higher

Answer 9

they needs plenty of water..because of the workouts that they endure..if the tea has caffeine in it not good..caffiene will dehydrate you..