MOMania

By Joe Camp

July 27, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

Yeah. It’s that time of year again. I imagine that Coach Flowe (PHS) and all the other area coaches are pushing their players hard- in the heat. This is done for two reasons. 1) You have to differentiate the weak from the strong. Only the strong and dedicated are going to perform in October when it counts. 2) These players must get acclimated to the heat. Season will start in a few short weeks, and these guys have to be able to perform in pads and helmets.

Likewise (except for pads and helmets) for the cross country boys and girls.

It is important that the strong and the dedicated get picked out now. The weak would be at far more risk from a game night tackle or an August XC race, when the dial gets crunk to max performance. Therefore, the weak and undedicated must be flushed out -for their own good. Also, players “dropping dead” are statistically very, very rare. No parent should worry, so long as junior or princess has been thoroughly checked out by a doctor, as required.

Regarding protection from heat: Hydration is a MUST!. Kids should be drinking WATER and avoiding sugary soft drinks and cool aid. Gatorade is OK in moderation, but WATER is best.

Air pollution is a problem. I bicycle a lot (mountain bike). I have had to worry about buildup of ground level ozone, which peaks in the late afternoon. I can only ride after work, so I have had to monitor ozone levels like I do the weather. Here is a handy link for pollution forecasts from the EPA:

http://airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.fcsummary&stateid=13

Today’s forecast, for the Atlanta area, is “Moderate”, so I will ride this p.m. However, when the levels reach “Unhealthy”, I won’t ride. Ground level ozone can chemically burn the lungs, destroy lung function, and precipitate asthma; so you have to be careful. Hopefully, coaches are aware of these conditions and adapt practices accordingly. XC runners can practice before school. Footballers can practice skills or keep practice later (ozone dissipates quickly after 6pm or so).

We, as parents and consumers of oil, are responsible for the ozone levels. Right now, these levels are only occassionally dangerous. However, this is changing. Each and every one of us must take personal responsibility for this earth that we are entrusted by the Almighty. I challenge all who read this to do all that you can. Keep your car in good working order. When you buy a new one, buy the smallest and most fuel efficient that you can get away with. Advocate nuclear power. Keep your house efficient. Don’t feel helpless, there are myriad ways you and I can do better. Together, we will make a difference.

In the meantime, if your aspiring little quarterback starts to wheeze one afternoon during an ozone day, don’t blame the coach. Go look in the mirror and feel really, really guilty.

By Jesse's Girl

July 27, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

I say get a big ole’ crane out there and spray those boys down while they practice. That way they stay cool(ish)…which makes it easier to keep hydrated. They would be a little slippery, but its better than dying.

By Down The Street

July 27, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this

The question is more than just heat, but is your child prepared. If he/she spent the spring and early summer inside, then worry. If he/she is waiting untill now to condition, worry. My son started training as soon as last season ended. He has had 2 physicals since. He drinks nearly 3 gallons of water daily. He conditions 4 mornings a week, 3 evenings a week, and has visited 6 college weekend camps for senior football players and prospects. Before you jump into deep water, prepare by learning to swim, or bring flotation devices. Before you work in the heat, prepare for it. No, I dont worry about the heat. He is prepared.

By Joe Camp

July 27, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

Down the street is right. I remember guys who turned off the nintendo and got up off the couch (after 6 weeks to attend “two-a-day” practices. They didn’t die but they wanted to, heehee.

By will

July 27, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

My son started going to NFL blue chip camps at the age of 3, He’s now 15, He went to 17 camps last week. He has a physical daily. When not practicing, hes on a water IV, 47 gallons per hour. He trains 6 hours prior to each practice and 7 hours after. 153 college coaches came to our house yesterday. The Dallas Cowboys are talking about letting him play up this year. He won the Heisman trophy last year as an eight grader. Next week Green Bay will name their stadium after him and change the teams colors to his favorite, Turqouise and Tan. I’m so proud.

By I can't believe it

July 27, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this

Theresa, darlin, no disrepct intended, but you need to stay with the little children topics. You’re in way over your head.

By Theresa

July 27, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

How am I in over my head? — I’m asking parents to tell me if they’re worried about their kids getting hurt practicing in terrible heat and bad pollution — I don’t need a teenager to know those are bad conditions for teens to be running hard in — I’m asking how the parents and schools are protecting their kids in these conditions — all seems perfectly well-founded and logical to me — I thought Joe Camp gave a great answer and lots of context for the disucssion —

By Heisman Dad

July 27, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this

Really will? My son sprints the two miles to practice daily. Was running 4.3 40s in 3rd grade, has had Bill Walsh coaching him since 2nd grade, and the boy drinks so much water that we bottle and resell his sweat b/c it is still pure H2O. He is going to dominate the 8th graders this year! (he is only in 5th grade, and we don’t want to use up HS and college eligibility yet).

Seriously: drink water before AND after exercise; Gatorade during and shortly after. Stretch before and after. And prepare yourself before the coaches take over. They SHOULD expect you to have at least a base level of conditioning at the start of camp / season. Oh, and get a physical, regardless of how fit you / your child looks. Heart and blood conditions are NOT visible to the naked eye.

By Theresa

July 27, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

sorry I can’t believe it my answer came out so mean — i just think it is a legitimate discussion to have — and i’m surprised by the two smart aleck answers — I can’t believe in 90 degree weather parents are so blase about their kids’ health

By Serenity

July 27, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Theresa-

Breathe, girl. You’ve been getting awfully defensive lately over your blog.

You need to chill. Don’t put yourself out there if you can’t take the criticism.

By Theresa

July 27, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

serenity — you are right and I did over react on that one and that is why i did apologize

By Heisman Dad

July 27, 2006 09:27 AM | Link to this

(funnier if read as one of the voices from South Park)

Really Heisman dad,

Well my son is 7’ 2”, and growing. He weighs a perfect 287 lbs, 0 percent body fat. His times in the 40’s are in the negative numbers, he’s quicker if he stand still, thats how fast he is. Bill Walsch is here right now, mowing my lawn (or cutting the grass, depending on where your from). Reebok is forming a new league for him that will put the NFL out of business in 3 weeks, no 2.

By will

July 27, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this

oops, I put heismans name on top..that post was by me…will. I take full credit, blame and regards.

By Menfromboys

July 27, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Football is, by nature, a violent and competitive sport. You HAVE to find out who can handle the heat, pressure and physical demands. It’s not a sport to go out and SEE if you like it. THAT’s where most of the injuries occure. It’s when little Johnny decides “Hey, maybe I’ll play football this year.” after spending most of the summer on the couch hiding from the heat. Sure, there will always be the heat exhaustion, dehydration and injuries that occure with even the most conditioned player. It’s NOT for the weekend warrior. Go that route and it’s an almost sertainty that little Johnny is going to come home in a bad way, or worse. Plainly said, football and other extremely physical sports aren’t for every child. And if you think that everyone that tries out should make the team because it affects the child’s “self esteem”, you are in the wrong arena. Everyone worries about injuries or a bad hit causeing even worse, but that’s the nature of the beast. If you’re THAT worried about it, then you need to get over it or pull little Johnny out of try-outs to begin with. Don’t try and judge other kids and parents by the fact that they go through the hell that is summer camp and still suite up on Friday night or (my personal favorite) Saturday afternoons. Football is the greatest and most physically challenging sport there is, but it ain’t for the weak of heart.

By nikki

July 27, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

The practice doesn’t worry me. That makes them tired. What does worry me is what football players do other times. “Friday night lights” ain’t all Hollywood. Had a football player and have found out some of the things they did and lots of them do. If I had known at the time, my hair would be solid white.

By nikki

July 27, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

One more thing: Don’t let your kid play hurt because the coaches want them in there. There are twenty somethings walking wounded from high school sports.

By anne

July 27, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this

OK, ok - girls, let me back onto the playground - I won’t even complain about the AJC today. Good topic.

I worry about code orange/red days for two reasons: my childrens’ health and the overall state of our planet. Smog has been scientifically linked to increased rates of heart failure, asthma and other diseases… not to mention global warming.

I agree with Joe Camp: we should take responsiblity for our use of resources and try to be good stewards of the earth, and teach our children to do the same. As parents, if we care about these issues, we should contact our congresspeople and ask them what they’re doing to support cleaner air.

Keeping our children inside in the afternoons, or hosing them off, is a temporary solution that somewhat protects their health (though one can’t really hose out their poor lungs, can they). But it doesn’t address the long term environmental problems we face.

By William

July 27, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Ditto, menfromboys! So many people pass judgement in an area that they are totally unfamiliar with or because it seems “a little rough”. I know it’s gonna be passed on as “typical male machoism”, but if your aren’t familiar or have experiences with football or physical sports, for that matter, it’s best that you either sit on the sidelines as a spectator or just tune it out as “not civilized and brutal”. Football happens to be the most watched spectator sport in America BY A MILE. The older your child gets as he plays football, the more the mindset is for the best conditioned athletes, the best athletes altogether and the players that can handle the heat, stress, physical demands and athleticism that are a part of it. If you just want to be “included in the group” because you’re bored, you WILL be weeded out quickly in spite of the beeding hearts that think cutting someone from the team is “so mean.” The summer heat, humidity, dehydration and injuries are all a part of the deal. In return, you get comraderie, a sense of accomplishment, the feeling of working towards something in a team effort and the feeling of giving every ounce of yourself towards a goal. You’re either made of it and accept it or you’re not and you try other things.

By Heisman Dad

July 27, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

Theresa:

Read my entire 9:11 am post. As a former HS multisport athlete, NCAA scholarship track athlete, assistant track-coach, father of one athlete, and as one who has done 100s of hours of research on exercise science and nutrition, I do not believe I could really be considered blase on this issue, I just saw an opportunity for a bit of humour.
Again: preparation and proper recovery are key, more so than most know. As is knowing when to exercise / your own limits (ie. don’t start your exercise regime at noon in July. Build up to it).

By Heisman Dad

July 27, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Theresa:

Read my entire 9:11 am post. As a former HS multisport athlete, NCAA scholarship track athlete, assistant track-coach, father of one athlete, and as one who has done 100s of hours of research on exercise science and nutrition, I do not believe I could really be considered blase on this issue, I just saw an opportunity for a bit of humour.
Again: preparation and proper recovery are key, more so than most know. As is knowing when to exercise / your own limits (ie. don’t start your exercise regime at noon in July. Build up to it).

By Footballmom

July 27, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

My two sons have played high school and college ball. We have had split chins, concussions, various pulled muscles, a broken shoulder, broken fingers and Saturdays after games where they are too sore to get out of bed. It worries me somewhat that they get that way, but it’s part of the sport. It does make me happy to see them putting so much efort into something and getting so much personal reward for it. Take my word for it, if you haven’t started getting aclimated to the heat and getting in shape a month or two before summer practices begin, your experience will he nothing short of hellish. I have seen kids throwing up, collapsing from the heat and injuries to numerous to count. It’s just part of it. They SHOULD know the risks before trying it and if they don’t, it’s both the child’s and the parents fault for going into it like it’s some art class.

By I think with a drawl

July 27, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

If parents are so worried about their kids being in shape, they should exercise with them. Show them how it’s done (if they know how). Sports are great, and all people who can should participate in at least one. Like all the smart posters before me have written, drinking plenty of water, and getting into shape before regular practice begins are the keys to staying safe in the heat.

By William

July 27, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

Wow…..just checked back in. Can you hear that? I just dropped a paperclip and it was DEAFENING.

By Heisman Dad

July 27, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

I think with a drawl had an excellent point. Parents, excercise with your kids. It’ll pass along knowledge to them, and force / help you get into / stay in shape, too.

By Clark

July 27, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

Somehow, I don’t think many are into this topic. Too bad…..sports develop character in a way that nothing else can.

By maybe

July 27, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

This all brings to mind the news story I read the other day about a young girl, eight years old I think, involved in all kinds of activities, whose mother found that she had been bullying a friend of hers. The synopsis was that maybe she did it because this was the only area of her life she had control in. Good topic: Is your child a secret bully?

By Tim

July 27, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

I think we need to put the whole thing in perspective. I graduated from Parkview 25 years ago. We didn’t get water. We didn’t even get grass to practice on. We made a line and threw rocks off the field before every practice. My old cleats still have Coach Roy’s tobacco juice stains. Parkview’s practice field is fertilized with my blood. No one died. No one even got sick. In any population, people will die. Many advances have been made in keeping these young men hydrated, but still there will be one here and there that have an unknown condition and they will die. However, if we cancelled all football, and these kids did whatever else they would do to occupy their time, many many more wouldn’t be there for graduation. Mom and Dad need to step back and let these boys become men. They are in good hands.

By nikki

July 27, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

@tim my son was a high school and college football player. Seems that the class before, his class, and the class after, the majority of the football players have gotten in more trouble than you care to know. Don’t know bout your coaches, but after seeing some of the ones that were his, good hands is not what he was in

By Steve

July 27, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

So many points on this, so little time.

The first key is to get your kids outta the house and active during the summer. No Madden NFL on the Playstation - if you want to play football, go outside and play football with your friends.

Staying active throughout the summer is the first priority before practice starts. Second is hydration. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and if you wait until you are out in the heat to start getting water into your system, it’s too late. If you wait until you are in the heat and thirsty, it’s FAR too late. Start drinking water about an hour before practice.

Better than water and much better than Gatorade is any kind of non-citrus (too acidic) fruit juice cut with water. If frozen juice ordinarily calls for a gallon of water, make it with two gallons so that it’s diluted. This is the best anti-cramping sports drink you can find.

As far as “smog,” a good place to start would be getting out of monster SUVs. There isn’t a person in the world who needs a confounded Expedition just because you’ve got two kids.

I saw a bumper sticker that I loved the other day:

“Keep Osama rich. Drive a Hummer.”

By old timer

July 27, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

In my day we played on concrete, none of this grass stuff, and we didn’t have face masks or teeth for that matter. And it was less organized, it was more like 21 people trying to kill the one person who held the ball. We drank urine and p** blood - ahh the gold old days I remember them well.

And I didn’t becom a man on the football field but in the back of a 54 chevy. Boy i feel sorry for those of you who think 2 a days made you a man!

By maybe

July 27, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

We live vicariously through our kids. What is sad is when the kid doesn’t live up to expectations.

By SJ

July 27, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

Clark, you might be right about the interest level on this topic but then again, I’m reading every post and have nothing to contribute yet. My young boys don’t play football (yet). They play soccer, baseball and swim as though they were born for it.

I do agree that conditioning is important and plenty of hydration (no matter the sport). Seems like common sense, but then again, common sense isn’t as common as the name would imply.

By mommyto2

July 27, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

I agree that if the kids are in shape then they should be fine. i would advise them that is they felt overly tired or faint, to take a break. discuss this with the coach, and maybe even go to the pratice with them if you are able.

The heat and air quality are a concern not just for athletes but for small children in daycare as well. i droped my daughter off one day, it was 101 outside and they had kids on the swing set out there sweating buckets. the owner (who happens to be a relative) was not there but i promise i gave those girls an earful and you can bet they brought those babies inside!

By Clark

July 27, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

Old timer, you haven’t the foggiest notion about what becoming a man is. It’s about character, determination, discipline, sacrifice, honesty (with yourself and others). It’s about the ability to work together woth a team and individually where responsibility counts. These characteristics are valued in the home with the wife and kids, at work, with friendships and, yes, in the spirit of competition. Your slam about the back seat of a car is exactly the idea that gives most men the stereotype that we are trying to escape. Nice job, butt wipe.

By nikki

July 27, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this

now clark, old timer is being honest about the way he feels. Just so you know, we don’t always buy the sensitive approach you mention. Just like you don’t buy that we wanna watch the football game or nascar. Or that we love your mom

By old timer

July 27, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

Clark - you sound like you’ve never had a day of fun in your life - I may be a butt wipe but at least I don’t have a pole up my butt.

Nikki - I’m glad you can spot a real man, even if he is past his prime.

By ouch

July 27, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Heat exhaustion doesn’t just apply to the football players. It can happen anytime anywhere if the kids are not hydrated. My daughter who stays in more than she should was only sitting in the sun for one hour, stood up and fell completely out. When we got her to the hospital her blood pressure was 70/40. Doc’s said she had dehyrated while sleeping and the heat brought on the pass-out. He also told me water was not enough in this kind of weather, that it HAS to be combined with electrolites; gatorade etc. I do worry about her a lot now when she’s out and I keep the fridge stocked with gatorade compared to soft drinks.

By Pa K.

July 27, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

Heisman Dad, your kid ain’t nothin.

My son told me one day that he wanted to play football because he could score a touchdown every time. He just couldn’t stand to see the girls hanging around some jock at his school that my kid could knock into next week if he wanted to. (I mean this literally). I told him he was put here for a greater purpose than scoring touchdowns, but after a week of seeing him in our back yard punting footballs into orbit out of frustration I told him to go ahead but just take it easy on the other kids. When he was at his first practice out in the 95 degree heat, one of the kids got heatstroke and fainted, well my boy blew on him to cool him down and by mistake encased him in six inches of ice. Hey, accidents happen, right? The other kid was OK after he got thawed out. No biggie.

Anyhoo, long story short they made my son the starting QB but after his team winning the next six games by triple digits each time and dozens of opposing players suffering compound fractures and concussions from trying to tackle him, the school asked him to quit. Said it wasn’t fair or somethin’. Damn liberals. I told him that he should ask them to let him stay on the team, just let someone else play for the rest of the season and let him play if they made the championship. If they got to the championship, then maybe let him play again. Well, they agreed. They put in the palook jock that the girls used to gush all over at QB and they squeaked into the playoffs only because they won all of their first six games. Somehow got lucky and made it to the championship game with the palook and were down by four with the ball on their own 2 yard line with 5 seconds left. The coach begged my son to go in for just the last play. My kid, he ain’t normally the type to hold a grudge, but I saw that grin when the coach asked him and I thought “Oh, no, this may not be good”.

It was like driving by a car accident. You don’t want to look but you can’t help yourself. My kid took the snap and then went back into his own end zone. He spent the next five minutes letting the other team try to catch him back there. Well, o’course they couldn’t get near to tacklin’ him as long as he didn’t want to let ‘um. It got kinda boring for the folks in the stands watching five guys surrounding him back in the end zone and then all of the sudden seeing them grab air and my son suddenly fourty yards away on the other side of his own end zone. I finally yelled at him to quit showboating-we had to get back to the farm and set up for next morning. I think he heard me. Well, actually, I know he heard me. He proceeded to do what I told him to do. More or less.

He started trotting reeeal slow down towards the other teams goal line. Backwards. This is where things got kinda gory, orthopedically speaking. My kid didn’t try to keep the players on the other side from trying to stop him, and the players on the other team thought he was taunting them. Who’d ‘a thunk. y’know? The six who weren’t laying on the ground trying to catch their breath got a running start from at least thirty yards away and hit him full speed as hard as they possibly could. Two fractured sculls, three broken necks. The last of the bunch got lucky, just a broken clavicle, but it actually tore out through his jersey. Eh, looked worse than it was.

The rest of the guys on the other team pretended like they couldn’t get their breath back and wouldn’t get up Actually, I think that was a pretty smart thing on their part. Gold stars for them. My kid turns around and trots into the end zone acting all casual like he’s been there before; just like coaches tell you. Of course, he had been there before, like about a zillion times.

Well, that’s how my son pretty much single-handedly won the Kansas High School football championship a few years back. After it was all said and done, he realized football wasn’t why he was here, so he’s gone on to other things. Just like his old man told him. Decided to go into journalism, has an on-again off-again relationship with one of his co-workers, spends the occasional weekend on the moon when he wants to sort things out, yadda yadda yadda.

Every so often I go to buy stuff in the town where that other team in the championship game was from and I spot one of the guys that tried to tackle my son. First few times I went up to ‘em and tried to introduce myself, but when I explained whose father I was they started lookin’ kinda scared and sidled away as fast as they could, given their physical limitations. Guess some folks are just stuck in the past.

By Tim

July 28, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

So Steve tell me which is better, a soccer mom who drives 5 miles a day in a “Monster SUV”, or a tree hugging bedwetter who drives from N. Gwinnett to downtown Atlanta every day in a Honda Civic? Seems that everyone wants to cast stones, but when we take a closer look at their own personal life, we see as much or more waste than they would admit. It is a free country. That is why John Kerry and Al Gore can make heartened speeches about saving our environment, and at the same time own 5 SUV’s and a personal Jet to travel around in. BUT, it is a free country. As long as I have the money to waste, I’ll do as I please. If you want to save the planet, go make speeches in South America, China, and every other country that chooses no environmental controls at all.

By anne

July 28, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Tim,

You are right, we all contribute to the degradation of our environment, the smog, ozone depletion and global warming.

But let’s stick to facts rather than conjecture. Illogical arguments and name-calling based on opinion (vs fact) do nothing to advance a thoughtful discussion on these issues.

By parkview mom

July 28, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

My two boys, both in grade school, atteneded this camp at Parkview. Given that they are competative in other sports, they are already in shape and were already used to the heat. Even so, there were plenty of opportunities for hydration. It is still good and healthy for kids to play outside!!! Yes, pollution is bad, yes, you have to be careful of code red smog days and the like, but part of being a well rounded person, in my opinion, is knowledge and experienced gained from participating in all aspects of life… including SPORTS! C’mon people… get a grip….

By mommyto2

August 2, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

this is sadly ironic given the horrible accident that just happened at rockdale or riverdale. my thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, coaches and other players who knew this young man

By Jennifer

August 2, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

Coming from a sports mom - the heat makes me very nervous. Although football practice for now is 7am to 10am (SC) - I can’t help but be concerned.

Sports-O-Rama ~ For all sport fans!