As football season fast approaches, a rite of passage is being experienced by many high school football players across the country: Daily Doubles. Daily doubles can be one of the most grueling sports experiences in all of youth sports and there are many different strategies in overcoming the heat and the exhaustion that can occur during the often two weeks of practice. Here are some of the best ways to survive the grueling two weeks.

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Drinking water and staying hydrated is one of the most important parts of staying safe and at top performance level. Gone are the days when players were required to take salt pills and drinking water was a sign of weakness. Always keep a water bottle close by and take a water break every time the coach gives you one. If you experience light headedness or a headache (from dehydration, not from tackling) make sure you pump the fluids even more.

2. Ice Baths: As painful as they may sound, ice baths after practice will rejuvenate your muscles faster than any other form of rest. An icebath on your legs will have them feeling fresh in time for the next practice.

3. Mental toughness: Part of the intensity of daily doubles is the endless hours of practice and need to combine physical work with mental focus. Eating healthy and getting adequate amounts of sleep give you the opportunity to be mentally sharp through those grueling drills, while staying alert enough to learn new plays and skills.

So as we experience the final sunny days of summer before fall is in full view, remember those young men who are earning their rite of passage through the sweat and work of dreaded daily doubles.

Yesterday my wife and I had our 19 week ultrasound of our twins! It was an exciting two hour event, the best movie I’ve ever seen. I’ll admit, my neck got a little sore watching the screen for that long, but my athletic training and concentration go me through.

During the extensive ultrasound, it was fascinating to see all of the different parts of our kids that the technician was taking pictures of. We were able to see the hearts and the stomachs, the lungs and the brain, the spine and, of course, little hands and feet. I marveled at the amazing way they are being formed inside of my wife’s stomach. I am still blown away by the idea that they are growing inside of her, and will someday soon be the bundles of joy that will change our lives forever.

During the ultrasound we found out that one of those bundles of joy is a boy and one is a girl! We are thrilled to have ‘one of each’ and be able to dress them up and experience all of the joys of having both genders to raise.

Of course, my first dream of them was seeing the high school version of my son running out onto the football field with my daughter cheerleading on the sidelines. I suppose that is a long ways off, but it was a good dream.

I realized however, yesterday, when seeing every inch of them in the ultrasound, that it doesn’t really matter if they play sports or are on the math team. My only hope and dream for them as a parent is that they have the chance to experience this world and live life to its fullest. That’s all that really matters and I can’t wait to watch them grow.