Reader comments
High school athlete deaths prompt new heat policies

I think it would be great to make sure (verify) that any player that suits up for two-a-days in August go through 1) three weeks of conditioning prior to getting pads 2) a physical must be taken BEFORE two-a-day practices begin.

Bottom line is that coaches need to make sure their athletes are drinking at regular 15-20 minutes and make sure that all athletes are drinking whether they claim they are thirsty or not. Also, many programs are using outdoor spray and when athletes drink they should remove their helmets and go through the spray so their body can be completely tooled. Probably the best schedule would to be to start the morning practice before 8 PM and perhaps start the evening practice as late as 7-8 PM if field lights were available thus avoiding the heat of the day.

I think these things are easily doable and do not have to interfere with the physical, emotional and mental demands of two-a-days, much of which is positive for the players to learn football skills, their program's terminology as well as getting appropriately physically, emotionally, and mentally challenged.

staff can do everything right to protect these kids, but they really don't know how bad off a kid is until he drops. These young players put so much pressure on themselves to make the team that sometimes their better judgement is not around when they are over-heating. Playing football is such a macho thing that players won't say anything because it would show weakness. If these knew it was okay to sit one out or spend some time in re-hab without being looked down upon, they would probably do it. The am 2-a-days are probably not as bad as the evening practice, but I think coaching staffs are a lot more informed now than in the 70's when I played. I know the fire service is making enormous progress with re-hab stations during a big fire event. From experience they know that this is saving lives. It wouldn't hurt to have a shaded area on the football practice field for player re-hab if they need it. Coaches should encourage it's use also. Maybe even find some volunteers to monitor kids that need it. It's better than dying!

they should practice early in the morning or later in the evening and most important let these kids enjoy the summer instead of beating them up through it, work your plays and condition inside the gyms. Take it easy and enjoy your youth or go ahead and blow out those ACLs and never play any sports again. Sorry but I hate football it ruins some of the best athletes out there, and the coach's think that being controlling makes them some kind of special figure for their community?

The proactive approach is hydration education and changing practice times. The intensity or length of practice is not the issue. For the most part, kids at this level do not understand the importance of preparing their bodies before practice nor do they understand how to take care of it afterwards. High School football is a commitment and it takes on and off field dedication and it should be supported with proper education in areas of nutrition and hydration.

As a former X-Country coach, my athletes had the early morning practices (6 a.m.). So much cooler and best of all, it is the best time of the day. We use to "RUN TO THE SUN". But seriously, proper education of hydration and modification of the practice time would solve most of this (At least, I hope.) I agree with the one poster, I feel we have done a disservice to our youth as to injuries to bodies not prepared for battle. I know some will disagree to that last statement, but when I see more athletes on crutches or arm slings (collar bone). It does make me wonder.

Here is another thought that I pass to all readers or coaches. Curious to your responses. Has the recent surge in "Energy" drinks had any effect on bone development in our Youth? As a former teacher, I see too many of our youth using the drinks to "get through" the day. Comments on that idea would be greatly appreciated.

Once a coach, always a coach.

2-a-days in the heat are just fine as long as you have proper hydration and breaks. Coaches should all be schooled by doctors as to heat exhaustion but I don't few ever get the training which is the problem.

According to the National Athletic trainers Association study the sport that is number one for knee injurys is Girls Soccer. The highest percentage of fractures came in boys baseball, basketball and soccer. Football does have the highest rate of injury per 1000 players. All sports are dangerous ask any doctor. The largest number of injurys off any activity come from riding a bicycle. Stay home on your couch you'll be ok.

Spoken like someone who has never played Football. Having participated in 3 varsity sports while in high school I can say I sustained more injuries playing basketball and baseball in those 4 years than I did playing football. Like the guy above said your couch is probably safe but then those potato chips you're cramming in your face might lead to heart disease. As far as coaches being controlling I disagree once again. Most coaches are special to their communities because their athletes love and appreciate them. Many coaches do more than teach a sport, most teach valuable life lessons. If you do decide to get off the couch don't forget your bike helmet!

Do some research. Football is one of the safest overall sports from 8 - 15, and still in high school it is exceptionally safe. Soccer and baseball both have significantly higher injury rates.

The problem this addresses is less about the sport than it is about proper education and training of coaches, players, parents, and trainers. Because each of them aren't properly educated on hydration someone has had to step in and restrict practicing.

At any age all football coaches should have a hydration plan, should make the players and parents aware of it, and monitor it.

The problem is that many of the so called high energy drinks have a ton of sugar and are loaded with caffine. Whether you know it or not these drinks will cause more dehydration than anything else. Kids should be taught to drink drinks such as gatorade, water (the best) and caffine free drinks. Dark sodas are not good for kids and neither are the high energy drinks.

Read up on what those energy drinks are and you will find that many schools would like to get them out of their veding machines. Parents should be taught that the best thing for dehydration is pure and simple water.

Recently at the College World Series when the tempertures were in the high 90s and the heat index over 100 there were over 80 people who had to be serviced by the EMTs because of heat exhaustion. The problem was that they spent hours waiting to get in and then took to their seats. Many of them had been drinking alcohol before they came in. They then sat for two hours in the hot sun until the game started. Their night was ruined because they got sick because of loss of water.