Today (Sunday the 22nd) is essentially the last day of complete summer-time freedom. Tomorrow, a week-long football camp put on by my high school begins. After that, I get one week off before double sessions begin. In other words, my summer is pretty much over. I will still have that week off and time between the practice sessions, but in some ways this is the end. So, I thought I would write some tips for student-athletes who have summer time practices.
- Don’t freak out about getting summer work done before double sessions. I usually find that I have plenty of time to work during doubles, because I am waking up earlier than I usually would. Often, I get home from the morning session around the same time that I would wake up at. Also, I find that the tiredness wears off by the third or fouth day. At first, I am sore and tired, but it goes away. At the same time, don’t save all of it for doubles, especially not the end (which I have done before). This will make you very busy and panicked to get your work done.
- If you have a job, try to get favorable hours. It never hurts to ask, seeing as you would have to leave if they say no anyway. If not, look for a new job. There are many places where you could work at night, such as a movie theater.
- Drink A LOT of water. When I say a lot, I mean like two gallons a day. I know that your coaches will impress this on you, but for athletes who are new to this, believe me, it is a must. If you do, you will feel much better throughout the day. Nothing is worse than the feeling light-headed and having a headache from dehydration while you try to play football (I know).
- Avoid junk food until after you are done with practice for the day. It may seem fine to eat a Big Mac at noon and then go to practice at three, but you will still feel it. Until all of your practices are over, junk food is a bad idea. It will weigh you down and even make you nauseous.
- You don’t need sports drinks. Water is better for hydrating you and the majority of the time, you will not need the volume of carbohydrates and electrolytes in it. At our conditioning practices, you will almost always notice that the guys who are vomiting are the guys who drank it, because it is weighing them down. If you do ‘need’ it, drink it in a blend of one part sports drink to two parts water.
I don’t know if anyone actually enjoys double sessions. Hopefully, these tips can make them bearable and maybe even profitable or successful.