The Coach called and said tonite get equipment and thursday we start.

 

Son 8th grader has played soccer no football. In their running workouts they have been given lots of water, but wearing pads in this heat. Well I am worried. I'm not sure of the guidelines for coaches in the Optimist leagues, their training and so forth.

 

I don't know the coach at all. I don't like to be a parent with a lot of questions. I will be at all practices and will have wet cold towels and so forth.

 

When I played we got salt tablets and water after practice. But I was raised in the heat, no AC, but I remember.

 

Worried for all the kids everywhere. And he is also having soccer practice for the Bluegrass games and they run a lot.

 

:idunno:

I feel like nowadays coaches are so careful when it comes to how much kids can do in the heat. Just tell him to keep himself hydrated during the day and he should be just fine.

Just tell him to keep himself hydrated during the day and he should be just fine.

 

That's what I feel gets missed a lot of times. It really isn't the amount of water that you get during practice, but more how much you drank the 24 hours before. Yeah water breaks help cool them down, but the hydration prior to the practice is what is more important.

Make sure your son drinks some water/gatorade on his way to practice, and take some bottles with you as well. Always make sure he is hydrated.

That's what I feel gets missed a lot of times. It really isn't the amount of water that you get during practice, but more how much you drank the 24 hours before. Yeah water breaks help cool them down, but the hydration prior to the practice is what is more important.

 

You are correct. :thumb:

8th grade? I don't get the need for pads in heat like this.

^^^I agree Clyde, and thanks for the reminders on water before practice. I didn't really think of it.

Make sure that he stays away from soft drinks and tea. They help dehydrate the body. Really, water and/or gatorade type drinks are important for pre-hydration.

Man, I love ice tea, he drinks no soft drinks on practice days.

 

Got his pads/helmet tonite, no hitting until the 19th of July. Got his weight machine set up, he looked at it and said he needed a nap.

Get some of that generic Pedialite, grape is pretty good and it's filled with electrolytes.

Helmet he got is really old. They said it was cleaned and treated but man I'd hate to put my head in it. Several kids got newer ones but its my kids first year of playing. Gonna look around and find a new one and pay for it. He said its OK, but hey, its a helmet.

Drink plenty of water all day before practice....then drink Gatorade / Powerade after practice.

Got a new helmet/practice pants pads/chinstrap/mouth pieces/cleats...Mama says .."well there goes our vacation".

Caffine is the dehydrator - great decaf teas out there!

Always enjoyed and went overboard on buying equipment each year. Good luck to you and your son. The advice noted on hydration is all well stated. Prevention with action before is the best way.