Anticipation for the upcoming Fall high school athletics season has been rising, and so has the temperature outside. Recent weeks have seen highs in the 90 and 100 degree ranges. Missouri isn’t the only state that is experiencing extremely high temperatures, a high school in Georgia recently suffered the death of a student-athlete that collapsed during a voluntary football workout.
The heat has caused most coaches to take certain precautions that were considered taboo in the past. Two-a-day practices, that were once seen as much part of the game as touchdowns are, have been scaled down with coaches alternating two-a-days with one-a-day practices. Water breaks are now encouraged instead of considered a weakness. Along with those changes, coaches are now receiving certification in first-aid treatment.
So, as anticipation and temperatures continue to rise, everyone can help to minimize danger by staying aware and using common sense.