MOODY, Ala. (WBRC) – Player safety in the extreme heat remains a top priority for high school football program’s across Alabama.
The Moody High School Blue Devils are taking the heat seriously as they prepare for the new season.
Moody head coach Jake Ganus says it’s important for the players to get acclimated to the tough conditions that they will inevitably face during the first few weeks of the season.
“You can still practice. I want to practice for 90 minutes. Well, I might have to extend it to 2.5 hours because I’m adding an hour of water breaks,” Ganus said.
On top of extending certain training windows, Moody weighs each player before and after practice to help measure hydration levels.
Moody’s Director of Player Development Colby Brooks says each player reacts to the heat differently.
“We can measure hydration based on their body weight. And hey, you need a little bit more before you leave. Or, hey, you started a little behind the ball today,” said Brooks.
The Blue Devils also have an option to dunk their hands and arms in a bucket filled with water and ice. Brooks believes this “arm plunge” has been effective during the extremely hot practice sessions.
“It’s a feel good thing. And it does last. I think our players respond and enjoy it,” said Brooks.
To help keep their players hydrated, the Moody staff gives each player a one-gallon jug of water as a baseline for the amount of water they should drink throughout the day. When they’re out on the field, Moody encourages its players to drink a bottle of sports drink for every bottle of water they consume to help with electrolytes and other fluids needed to stay hydrated.
High school football practice officially begins across Alabama Monday, August 4.
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