Outdoor practices can be conducted responsibly when appropriate heat-safety measures are followed. Hydration is essential, but it should be combined with frequent breaks, access to shade, gradual adjustment to the heat, and close monitoring of every athlete.
Please help your athlete arrive prepared by:
Drinking water before practice and bringing plenty of water
Drinking regularly throughout practice—not only when thirsty
Wearing lightweight, breathable clothing
Applying sunscreen and bringing a cooling towel, if helpful
Telling a coach immediately if they feel dizzy, weak, nauseated, unusually tired, or develop a headache or muscle cramps
In addition to bringing drinking water, athletes are encouraged to bring a spray bottle. They can use it to mist their necks, heads, and the backs of their shirts just below the neck. This can provide additional cooling and comfort, but it should not replace hydration and regular rest breaks.
Outdoor summer training is common throughout Arizona. Many local youth and high school tackle football programs will begin practices near the end of this month and transition to full pads during the first week of next month. Every sport presents different demands, but all coaches and families must take heat conditions seriously and adjust activities when necessary.
Many families have asked why AZYS does not provide indoor practice facilities. This is a great and completely understandable question. Our goal is to keep youth sports affordable and accessible to as many families as possible. Indoor facility rentals are extremely expensive, and including those costs in registration fees would require a significant price increase that could put participation out of reach for some families.
Most of our staff have children who play or have played in our summer sports programs with outdoor practices. Many of us have even coached summer teams.
Teams that prefer to practice indoors may rent space at a local gym, subject to availability and at an additional cost. Coaches or team representatives should contact local facilities or school districts directly for rental rates, schedules, and requirements.
The safety of our athletes remains our priority. Coaches should provide regular water and cooling breaks, monitor athletes closely, and reduce, modify, relocate, or stop activities when weather conditions or an athlete’s symptoms warrant it.
Thank you for helping us provide a safe, positive, and enjoyable summer season for all our athletes.
