when to cancel football practice?

[momz]

My son plays on the 8-9 year old team. At practice time yesterday, we were experiencing 100 degree heat along with lightning and thunder. I told my son we weren't going...he was ok with this.

Today, much better conditions, all the team members came to practice. I found out from some that went yesterday that the league president was present for the practice and he made the call to NOT CANCEL practice and have the 8-9 year olds in helmets and pads at 100 degress and lightening!!!

Not feeling very confident in that decision.

I talked with my husband about it, and we have decided that we made the right decision to just stay home. If we would have gone to see what the coaches decided, the peer pressure to get out there would have been ridiculous. In the end, we will make the decision for our son that the coach isn't man enough to make

It's just a game.

flame suit on

 

[Mermaid02]

My son plays on the 8-9 year old team. At practice time yesterday, we were experiencing 100 degree heat along with lightning and thunder. I told my son we weren't going...he was ok with this.

Today, much better conditions, all the team members came to practice. I found out from some that went yesterday that the league president was present for the practice and he made the call to NOT CANCEL practice and have the 8-9 year olds in helmets and pads at 100 degress and lightening!!!

Not feeling very confident in that decision.

I talked with my husband about it, and we have decided that we made the right decision to just stay home. If we would have gone to see what the coaches decided, the peer pressure to get out there would have been ridiculous. In the end, we will make the decision for our son that the coach isn't man enough to make

It's just a game.

flame suit on

No flames here- I agree with you!

 

[Lovin' Disney]

Totally agree with you as well. If your son had gone and he had collapsed from heat stroke or gotten struck by lightning, you'd never forgive yourself for letting him go.

Sometimes people act like sports, especially football, is EVERYTHING in life. In the grand scheme of things, it's only a practice in some town for a group of 8-9 year olds! It's not the NFL.

 

[mhsjax]

I agree with canceling the practice. First 100 degrees in helmets and pads is way too hot. Second lightening, here in Florida we cancel our soccer practice, we even have a lightening sensor that goes off. Not sure about football, but I know that they tend to really over play the importance of the game, so it doesn't surprise me.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Metal helmets and lightning? Our league will play in snow or rain, but not lightning. 100 degrees would at least mean no pads and a shift to things like reviewing plays. You made the right choice.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm sorry but some of these parents are just ridiculous.

No flames from me either.
Some parents need to get a clue: Newsflash... Quit living through your kids and wake up and smell the coffee.... your kid will more than likely NEVER even come remotely close to playing in the NFL.

 

[momz]

I am sooo happy (and surprised) to see all the support here regarding keeping my kid home yesterday. Let's just say, with this team, there were more that showed up for the practice than were willing to go against the decision of the coach.

I haven't spoken directly with the coach about it. we've decided to quietly do our own thing.

 

[tefrench]

With all the heat and humidity, my dd (11)lasted maybe 20 minutes before she had an asthma attack at soccer practice. While she was inside recovering, another girl came in, not able to breathe right because of the humidity.

However, her coach is very supportive and concerned, and was totally fine that I took her home.

I wish other coaches would use their common sense also, but as a parent, your child's health comes first!

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Someone else posted about this a few weeks ago. My kids always have had practice cancelled when it is lighting. First sign everyone is off the field.

 

[minkydog]

My son plays on the 8-9 year old team. At practice time yesterday, we were experiencing 100 degree heat along with lightning and thunder. I told my son we weren't going...he was ok with this.

Today, much better conditions, all the team members came to practice. I found out from some that went yesterday that the league president was present for the practice and he made the call to NOT CANCEL practice and have the 8-9 year olds in helmets and pads at 100 degress and lightening!!!

Not feeling very confident in that decision.

I talked with my husband about it, and we have decided that we made the right decision to just stay home. If we would have gone to see what the coaches decided, the peer pressure to get out there would have been ridiculous. In the end, we will make the decision for our son that the coach isn't man enough to make

It's just a game.

flame suit on

Holy cow! No way should little kids be out there playing in 100 degree heat in full gear. And lightning too? Sheesh! You definitely made the right decision. You coach and the league president are a couple of dangerous morons.

 

[Coconut36]

I would imagine it would depend on normal weather in the area. My kids play and practice in 100+ degree heat because that is the way it is here and we are acclimated to it (also it tends to be sans humidity or at least bad humidity). If kids here didn't play in that kind of weather they would only be able to play a few months a year. Practices are held in the evenings and games in the mornings to help keep them out of the heat of the day and before the temp rises.

My oldest soccer game on Saturday they played in the rain..it was pretty light (and rather refreshing considering the temps I mentioned). So light that people barley got damp and certainly were not soaked. As far as I know heavy/strong rain and lightening would be reasons they cancel.

As a parent I wouldn't send my kids in weather that exceeds the norms of the area or lightening/thunderstorms.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I would imagine it would depend on normal weather in the area. My kids play and practice in 100+ degree heat because that is the way it is here and we are acclimated to it (also it tends to be sans humidity or at least bad humidity). If kids here didn't play in that kind of weather they would only be able to play a few months a year. Practices are held in the evenings and games in the mornings to help keep them out of the heat of the day and before the temp rises.
l.

Same here. If we waited for the heat to be gone football season would be over. Although they do practice in the evening.

 

[mickeysgal]

Lightening is a safety issue that I thought all outdoor activities have to adhere to.

My kids did years of summer band camp. When temperatures were that high often they did work indoors. I'm surprised that the football team didn't change to Plan B and do some indoor drills/exercises/etc.

 

[Colleen27]

Here the no lightning rule is universal - if you can hear the thunder, the storm is too close to hold practice/games. That's been true for football, baseball, and soccer, at every level from 4/5 rec on through to high school. At the higher levels they might move practice indoors if there is a facility available, but they don't just ignore the lightning and hold practice as usual.

The heat, on the other hand, is something they just work through. Coaches will hold lighter duty practices, no contact drills so they don't have to be in pads, less strenuous calisthenics, etc. along with increased emphasis on hydration and more breaks than usual, but they don't cancel for heat. Since the month they have (under athletic association rules) to get ready for the season is the hottest month of the year they make the most of the time they have, and that means finding ways to continue to practice safely even in the summer heat.

 

[Coconut36]

Lightening is a safety issue that I thought all outdoor activities have to adhere to.

My kids did years of summer band camp. When temperatures were that high often they did work indoors. I'm surprised that the football team didn't change to Plan B and do some indoor drills/exercises/etc.

Depending on how things work there might be no indoor place to do it. My kids soccer league does not provide for practices..so coaches have to find local parks or common areas in neighborhoods for practices. If the location is available they can't practice and there is no easy way to just pick up and practice indoors.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, the heat & humidity... with no word from the coach, I probably still would have brought a child to practice. You don't know if they're doing light drills, lots of water breaks, etc.

Regarding the lightning... around here, in multiple sports, if you see lightning, everyone off the field for 30 minutes. Any re-occurance of lightning resets the 30 minute clock. Depending on age/activity, that could mean going to a shelter, or into cars in the parking lot.

 

[bdcp]

Totally agree with you as well. If your son had gone and he had collapsed from heat stroke or gotten struck by lightning, you'd never forgive yourself for letting him go.

Sometimes people act like sports, especially football, is EVERYTHING in life. In the grand scheme of things, it's only a practice in some town for a group of 8-9 year olds! It's not the NFL.

The NFL doesn't practice in lightning and do light ones, if at all, in 100 degree heat. I live very close to the Washington Redskins facility and I have known a couple of players wives. No one should be out in lightning. That's just insane. People need a healthy respect for weather and not think practice or a game is the be all, end all.

 

[Mkrop]

Here the no lightning rule is universal - if you can hear the thunder, the storm is too close to hold practice/games. That's been true for football, baseball, and soccer, at every level from 4/5 rec on through to high school. At the higher levels they might move practice indoors if there is a facility available, but they don't just ignore the lightning and hold practice as usual.

The heat, on the other hand, is something they just work through. Coaches will hold lighter duty practices, no contact drills so they don't have to be in pads, less strenuous calisthenics, etc. along with increased emphasis on hydration and more breaks than usual, but they don't cancel for heat. Since the month they have (under athletic association rules) to get ready for the season is the hottest month of the year they make the most of the time they have, and that means finding ways to continue to practice safely even in the summer heat.

I agree!

No way would we go if there was lightning but heat...ehhh with the heatwaves we have been having they have to do some sort of practice, hopefully they do lite drills, take many water breaks.

People also need to remember that esp in football if the kids dont practice and get conditioned that they risk getting hurt, it isnt all about winning as the reason for practices, it is also so the kids can do the plays and play the game safely.

 

[focusondisney]

No flames from me either. It is my obligation & right as a parent to make decisions regarding my child's health & safety. I would never relinquish my rights as a parent to a sports coach. A child's life should not be put in jeopardy for a sport. And both the lightening & the excessive heat could have done that. As for "light drills" or in door practice, I think the coach should make it clear to parents ahead of thime that is what will happen.

 

[shortbun]

No flames here- I agree with you!

Me too! Around here the rule is everyone off the field if lightening is spotted. Also, in extreme temps, practices are shortened and water breaks are added. I would be questioning the intelligence of the league president if I were you. The heat thing aside, lightening should bring everyone in, no decisions to be made.