TWO-A-DAYS: PREPARING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
By mark rogers
August 7, 2009
High school football players across the state started fall practice earlier this week. It's an exciting time in the life of a football player because it means the season is close. The glory is close. The playoffs are close...for some.
Not all schedules are the same, but many teams will practice very early in the morning - take a break - then practice again around 10 to be done by lunch time. Other teams practice early in the morning then come back later in the afternoon to finish up. And that's just two-a-days.
Most days, teams just work out once and that's it. Either way these kids are out in the heat in full pads for hours and hours and hours.
When I played at ACU under Gary Gaines, we would practice at around 7 AM. Take a break for lunch. Have about 60 minutes to take a nap before heading back to the field house to get taped. Practice at 3. Break for dinner. Practice at 8. THAT was brutal.
It's true...working out twice (even just once) a day in full pads in 100+ degree weather will have an impact on these high school football players for the rest of their lives.
It teaches mental toughness. You have to learn to trick your mind into taking things one period or drill at a time. You can't think about how hot it is or is going to be.
It also connects you with your teammates. I am still very close with many of my high school buddies that I played football with...many of us talk on a weekly basis to this day. I don't believe that's the case for most people that go to high school in a "big" city like I did. It's different in the smaller towns (in my experience) because the smaller towns seem to be more connected for the most part.
My brothers didn't play football or any other sport, and I don't know of one high school friend that either of them ever talk to at any time.
It also gives you some perspective on the heat. To this day when I'm running, biking or outside exercising in the heat...it's never really all that bad because my brain automatically thinks, "well, it's not as hot as if I was in full pads."
And that will ALWAYS stay with you...it'll NEVER be as hot as if you were in full pads.
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