Beyond the Arc: Quenching the thirst of those in need
With football just around the corner, area coaches will take on one of the biggest responsibilities they take on in preseason conditioning — keeping kids hydrated.
From early in sports history, we've known that upon exercising, the body has to refuel itself with water. It's recently been discovered that electrolytes are specifically what the body needs to re-hydrate itself.
Knowing these things, why did we wait so long to begin giving athletes more opportunities to take water breaks during practice?
If you have ever been an athlete, you're well aware of the possible problems that can arise if your body isn't properly cared for and if it is properly hydrated.
The negative effects of dehydration can be down-right fatal, but if coaches, players, and parents are all on the same page, dehydration should never be a problem on our athletic playing fields.
I've heard "old timers" talk about the days when they didn't get a water break. Heck, I recall getting one every practice.
Today, area coaches have taken it upon themselves to have two to three water breaks every practice, and I applaud them for that. I think most would agree, several water breaks during practice, not only keeps kids healthy, it may even keep their players sharper mentally.
Putting on a helmet when temperatures exceed 100 degrees can be down-right brutal, and wearing dark colored helmets, can make things even hotter yet.
So what's the big deal, you might ask. The fact of the matter is this, with the current climate in our judicial system it's not far-fetched to think that a school could be sued for dozens of reason, most notably, for not properly hydrating athletes, or for the death of an athlete.
Do our area coaches give water breaks to ensure adequate hydration to their kids? I'd say "yes." Do they wish they didn't have to cut into their practices for such a break? Probably. Does the recent rash of dehydration deaths increase our awareness and our sensitivity about the matter? You bet.
Folks, it's pretty simple. We care because we have to. Do we want to see a kid get sick or die? No. Would coaches have changed their practice regimens if athletes across the country wouldn't have died because of dehydration? I don't think so.
When we're faced with tragedies that "hit home," that's when we start to reevaluate our current system and the way we do things. It's a poor way to deal with current problems. It's irresponsible and it's negligent.
If you feel strongly about a cause or a problem, don't sit back and wait for something terrible to happen to you or to others, do the right thing, and voice your concern. Because your concern, may help save lives. And your opinion about a matter may help quench the thirsting throats of those in need, or help prod those unsure of their viewpoint, to pick a path when they've come to the proverbial "fork in the road."
