High school kids practicing football in heat

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

So, its 112 degrees out on the field. They are all suited up with helmets, pads, etc. They are doing exercises, running, and other stuff getting ready for Fall football. Isn't this dangerous? Why do high school coaches think this is ok? I see them at Hamilton in Chandler, and I think, as usual, this is nuts. JMHO

You think that's bad, try training in the South where it's 95 degree plus 70% humidity.

Humidity impairs your body's ability to cool itself which is why heat stroke related fatalities most often occur in the South. It may be hot here but it is dry and with proper hydration and conditioning, these athletes can train in this weather.

Originally Posted by whodiman

Cold is easy. Playing in the heat sucks! Green Bay isn't that cold when you have played in Canada. Once you start running you don't even feel the cold and you can't pass out from the cold either. Is there a temperature where the practices are called off due to heat?

I've played in both, cold is far worse. Ask any kids from Oklahoma and Kansas which is worse. During their summers, it's hot and humid, during their winter games, it's cold and icy. The heat is annoying but with proper hydration it is tolerable. What isn't tolerable is icy hail falling through your ear hole and the back of your neck on a November afternoon practice with freezing wind blowing in your face. In the cold, the hits hurt far worse. You can suffer from frost bite if areas of your body aren't covered. You absolutely can pass out from cold when your airways constrict from the severe cold and you become hypoxic. There is a reason why they say warm weather teams can't handle the cold during the playoffs and are at a distinct disadvantage in the playoffs whereas the opposite isn't true. There is a reason why football players prefer warm weather and why warm weather universities have higher rated draft classes because the best players in the country prefer to play in warm weather versus the cold. You don't hear people saying they want to play for Green Bay due to its weather but you routinely hear players saying they would prefer to play for Arizona (even when they were at Sundevil) due to the weather.

[whodiman]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

You think that's bad, try training in the South where it's 95 degree plus 70% humidity.

Humidity impairs your body's ability to cool itself which is why heat stroke related fatalities most often occur in the South. It may be hot here but it is dry and with proper hydration and conditioning, these athletes can train in this weather.



I've played in both, cold is far worse. Ask any kids from Oklahoma and Kansas which is worse. During their summers, it's hot and humid, during their winter games, it's cold and icy. The heat is annoying but with proper hydration it is tolerable. What isn't tolerable is icy hail falling through your ear hole and the back of your neck on a November afternoon practice with freezing wind blowing in your face. In the cold, the hits hurt far worse. You can suffer from frost bite if areas of your body aren't covered. You absolutely can pass out from cold when your airways constrict from the severe cold and you become hypoxic. There is a reason why they say warm weather teams can't handle the cold during the playoffs and are at a distinct disadvantage in the playoffs whereas the opposite isn't true. There is a reason why football players prefer warm weather and why warm weather universities have higher rated draft classes because the best players in the country prefer to play in warm weather versus the cold. You don't hear people saying they want to play for Green Bay due to its weather but you routinely hear players saying they would prefer to play for Arizona (even when they were at Sundevil) due to the weather.

Where I am from 85 is almost unbearable to play in. LOL. 32 degrees is considered HOT once we hit November but football season is almost done because you are playing in a foot of snow. I guess we just learn to tough it up. Nobody here passes out from the cold and I can assure you it's way colder than Green Bay. Frostbite...we just deal with it. If you ever hear about people wearing plastic bags on their feet, this is where it's done. It keeps your feet from getting wet when the snow gets in your cleats and melting thru your socks...and then freezing again. You make some good points though. I would rather play a game in the heat rather than the cold. I would prefer not to practise....AT ALL.

[bolt32]

Not just high school is practicing in this heat in full pads.....the "little guys" are too! My son's football organization is full tackle, 1st through 7th grade. As a mom, it worries me too, but hey....as a mom, what doesn't? (wink...)

[locolobo13]

This is the beginning of football season. Young folks have been doing this here in Phoenix since they had football teams. On my way home I see the PCC football teams doing their practices.

They're not the only athletes I see on my way home. Also pass by a boxing gym. Looks like they don't have AC. The doors open and they have a big fan going. High school and college age kids are jogging up and down the sidewalk outside almost every afternoon.

[jimj]

Ahhh, to be young again!