Practice During Intense Heat

[ScissorKick]

Practice in the OC. The fires in socal are not affecting our air much, but the heat is pretty unbearable. Last week, I had a parent comment on my Facebook account that her daughter got sick and threw up when they got home after practice. She said it could be heat stroke. I am wondering if I should call off practice this week due to the continued heat. What do others do when dealing with weather issues?

[rca2]

I have never cancelled a practice or match due to hot weather. Heat injuries must be prevented. I monitor the work/rest ratio, ensure people have water and drink regularly during sessions, monitor for symptoms, arrange with refs and opposing coaches to add water breaks to matches (and to liberally allow players to leave the field), and ensure everyone understands that drinking water is more important than continuing to play, match or practice. In extreme heat subs should be in shade, rather than in direct sun. That too should be arranged ahead of time. This is important because coming off the field and standing still in the direct sun with no breeze can overheat a player who has been running hard.

[msimon]

My daughter coaches little ones in this Texas heat and she keeps lots of fluids, shade, and makes sure they rest between reps. I also attend her training sessions and I help monitor the kids and if they look stressed or really hot then they sit practice out. It's very rarely that I have to pull any of the kids, She's had some kids get red faced but with rest and fluids they're ok.

[goalie23]

How often do you break for water?

[msimon]

She rotates them out about every 10 mins and break for water about every thirty. and of course if they ask for water or a break then we let them take a break.

[goalie23]

I'm currently not coaching but when the sun is out I find it useful to rince my face/arms/neck with water every half an hour (in addition to drinking water). I'm light skinned so the rinsing definitely makes a difference.

Luckily for me there's a tap near the soccer pitch. If you don't have access to free water you might want to ask people to get a bucket/kettle filled with water or bring an ice pack and make them cool the skin.

[wyly]

if it's practice time schedule it for later in the evening or early in the morning...lots of water...for games I asked the players to slow down the pace to something above a walk/jog, let the ball do the work, run only when absolutely nessecary...