TEMPLETON, Calif- It is double days for many SLO County high school football teams. Templeton High was at practice today and with temperatures rising Central Coast News wanted to find out how the players were staying hydrated.
Players are hard at work, readying themselves for a new football season but it isn't easy passing the pig skin in the hot weather. "You get tired a lot faster, the heat just wears you down, plays mental games with you, its just a 100-times harder," says Scott Lawson. Coaches have a game plan on and off the field for the hot weather.
"We harped on them before we started double days making sure that they were drinking getting hydrated before they even showed up," says Coach Dan Loney. Taking hits, running the field and now players face a different battle, tackling temperatures. Coaches know that this game can only beat by making sure players have their breaks!
"We are giving them frequent water breaks about every 10-15 minutes making sure they are staying hydrated," says Coach Loney. It wasn't always this way. "If you go back 20 years ago water was a privilege, coaches used to withhold it from you, now days we've learned that can't be the case."
After practice the players even had popsicles for working hard in the sun and the players say its worth it. "You just got to do it, it will get you better for the season and you're going to be thankful when it cools down," says Lawson.
