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Coaching Youth Soccer
With
Koach Karl Dewazien
United States Soccer Federation 'A' Licensed Coach
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Want to know how to coach successful soccer practices and win more games the easy way?
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Youth Soccer Coaching
"H2O: How and How Much?"
By Coach Janis
I stress the importance of water. The brain is the first thing in the body to dehydrate. By the time a person is thirsty, they are already dehydrated. Drinking moderately before, during, and after a practice or game, helps improve coordination, reflexes and less overall injury. This is also benificial to athsmatics. Even, mild dehydration makes a player slower and more prone to injury and tiring. Response time is definately better with water. So when you see those cheeks get red and you hear the heavy breathing, give'em a little water,it may improve the playing field.
Generally, if the players are drinking before, during and
after the practice/game; it seems as if the muscles are not depleted enough
to get cramps when fluid is reintroduced into the system. Cramping is
usually caused from already being dehydrated and replacing the fluids too
quickly. Sort of like having a dry sponge and reintroducing fluid. The
"sponge" would go from stiff, to flexible; that causes a quick restructuring
response. When the body does this, it is as dramatic. A lot of cellular
restructuring is taking place quickly. I am not a Dr. but have studied and
seen these results. I know that this snare is dramatic, but it gets the
point across. I tell the kids to ask themselves if they could use a drink,
if not then that's great too. Usually the kids won't force themselves to
drink too much, but if they are thirsty they'll sip. It's more of a natural
reflex at that point. Notice that real thirsty kids coming off of the
playing field have a tendency to be a bit crabby (the brain is already being
effected) and guzzle. The electrolytes and potassium levels seem to stay
well balanced when fluid is replacedced about every 15 minutes of exercise.
Here are some web sites on dehydration:
http://quickcare.org/gast/dehydrate.html
http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/heraldleader/news/0716/water.html
http://www.healthonecolorado.com/topicareas/sports/fluids.html
http://www.surry.com/heatheat.html
http://www.wvda.org/links/sports.html
http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/NebFacts/NF72.HTM
Many Thanks to: Coach Janis
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