Dreaded Daily Doubles

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.