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Jack Welch
Summer camps for athletes are in full swing. Although school has recently let out for summer, students are already off to sports camps. Sport camps are very advantageous for student-athletes. They get to learn from other coaches, while competing against athletes from all over.
Sports camps foster a sense of independence in these young athletes. Coaches and mentors teach techniques and help develop skills, while helping students mature in settings they are not familiar with. This also helps students pursue improvement in a different environment.
If your child wishes to play a different position, then this is a great time for them to grow in areas they have not been able to experience in their current school settings. Camps allow students to have personal responsibilities with little risk of failing. While they are responsible for playing their position, they do not fail when they are in camps away from their home area. This is a time to learn.
Athletes can see and feel the progress they make when they perform drills and learn different skill sets. It is at this time participating in camps they demonstrate a desire to continue to grow and set personal goals. Being persistent in achieving what they want will allow them to mature mentally as much or more than physically.
Players gain confidence when they exceed expectations of their coaches and mentors. Exposing them to a different environment encourages them to dream bigger dreams. They will also see how they compare to other students. Coaches and players alike need to remember it is getting hot outside though. It is imperative, people are conscious about the heat index as they participate in the summer elements. Not only is it very hot, it is very humid as well. This time of year, outdoor activity participants have heat related illnesses. It is very important precautions are taken to prevent dangerous situations.
Outdoor activities are very susceptible to heat illness. In hot weather conditions, the athlete is subject to heat cramps, heat syncope, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Research studies reveal from 1995 through the 2000 football seasons there were 17 heat stroke deaths. Could they have been prevented? In all cases, the core body temperature was extreme. It is crucial to get the core body temperature under control because almost all heat related deaths had an extreme core body temperature.
Heat cramps involve abdominal muscles and extremities. The cramps are caused by intense prolonged exercise in the heat. The body becomes devoid of salt and water due to sweating.
Heat syncope is the weakness, fatigue and fainting caused by loss of salt and water in sweat. The worst of heat related illnesses is heatstroke. Heat stroke is related to thermoregulatory failure. Nausea, seizures, disorientation and unconsciousness are some primary symptoms. The individual is usually unconscious with a high body temperature. Those falling prey to heat stroke, have hot dry skin also.
The best prevention to heat related illnesses is having the body acclimated to the weather conditions
they participate in. When people consider the workout times and needs of the body, it is important to understand the weather conditions they will be associated with. Different parts of the country deserve varied considerations.
Consequently, it is time to get involved with summer sports camps but be careful. Drink plenty of water and take an ample number of breaks.
Thought for the week, “It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.” — Walter Winchell
Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.