Teams prepared to beat the heat, and it's all about water, monitoring players
Teams prepared to beat the heat, and it's all about water, monitoring players

By Justin Harper

Published: August 12, 2008

Mother Nature had a better remedy than anything else to beat the heat high school football players will face as preseason practice begins today — rain and wind from the north. That was just lucky timing. These days, coaches can't count on the old lady to cool things down.

Featured Gallery

 

Advertisement

A week ago, temperatures were regularly in the triple digits for the majority of the state. Now, as prep teams open drills, there's been a sharp drop. Nonetheless, it's bound to heat up again, and coaches and trainers will be well-prepared.

Gone are the days of withholding water and dispensing salt tablets. And, anymore, rare is the case of trainers or coaches coming up with a concoction that prevents cramps and heat stress (pickle juice and chocolate milk have been tried in the past). Some teams have employed unique innovations such as mist-tents and mist-fans, but those are few. Basically, any coach will say it's all about water and monitoring players. Hydration and recognition of heat-related symptoms have a far greater impact than starting practices in the early morning hours or providing watermelon slices to the players.

But while virtually all coaches agree on that topic, there are subtle things different teams do to try to combat the effect heat has on players and practices.

"One of my favorite quotes that has been used here for a long time when we go out to practice is, ‘It's 72 degrees in downtown Altus,'” said Altus coach Lyn Hepner. "When you go out, in your mind you have to have that kind of attitude. If you have fun, the heat is not going to change your attitude as much. Look at all those golfers all summer standing out there for hours.”

Granted, Hepner takes all the safety precautions given that Altus is renowned for its summer heat. And a local car dealership donates a large tent that provides constant shade for players when they get a drink or are getting taped, etc.

"Altus is generally the hottest place in the state, but everyone knows that when they go out for football,” Hepner said. "So that's where the attitude comes in. Players used to accuse us of finding a way to turn up the heat when we go out to practice.”

Hepner has sent his wife to the store to bring popsicles to the players at the end of particularly hot practices.

"But I don't want to spoil them too much,” Hepner chuckled. "I don't want them thinking every car that pulls up, is that the popsicle delivery? But, I'll say this, when it's 110 degrees, nothing tastes as good as a popsicle.”

The larger school districts have professional trainers who monitor the heat with digital devices and are given autonomy to cancel practices if they would be held in a "danger zone.”

"We're very fortunate to have a fulltime athletic trainer and five or six student trainers, as well as nine or so students as managers,” said Westmoore coach Mike Whaley. "At all times we have 14 or more people carrying water bottles and looking for anyone in a bind. But having a trainer is very important and probably the most important thing. This guy knows heat stroke, heat exhaustion; he's monitoring the weather and temperature.”

At Lawton MacArthur, coach Ernie Manning has a couple of interesting methods to combat heat and fatigue.

"We drink a lot of water during practice but don't get the water too cold,” Manning said. "It's cool but not cold. Cold water can have a bad effect on the kids.”

After practice, Highlanders players have the option of climbing into a horse trough that is filled with ice water.

"It cools them off, but it's also good for the muscles and helps them get ready for the next practice,” Manning said.

Douglass coach Willis Alexander utilizes large trash buckets full of ice and water to soak towels.

"(Players) can take the towels and put them over their heads,” said Alexander. "We make sure we don't make any period of practice longer than 20 minutes.

"Everyone is careful these days. But the bottom line is, you can't run from the heat. You just have to be smart and deal with it.”

Your thoughts!