The Story Of Max Gilpin Is A Reminder

The story of Max Gilpin is not a happy one.

It's the story of the Kentucky high school football player who collapsed and died nearly two years ago at a practice in 90 degree-plus heat.

The situation escalated into a court case. The coach was prosecuted. Sports Illustrated recently highlighted the entire story and a local Louisville Courier-Journal columnist wrote a piece on it.

This ugly story should serve as a reminder - even in winter - taking care to make sure players have enough hydration and are not overheated is important when helping to coach youth athletics.

Teaching To "Back Up" In Baseball

It's winter time, so why not talk a little baseball.

Take a look at some helpful advice posted in this Baseball and Coaching Drills blog. The post discusses doing drills in lines of three where the secondary players in line for the drill help back up the primary player in the drill.

This helps show young players the need for backing up your teammates. As we all know, this is so important in baseball. It's particularly important to teach as kids often seem to think when they've accomplished their role in the play, their work is done. "The play" in baseball is never done.

Outfield Drills

I know, it's fall. But it's early fall . . . and that means World Series.

If you're like my sons, you might be still playing fall baseball too. So, here's a new outfielders drill from the Baseball Coaching and Drills blog. It helps improve release time when getting the ball to the cut off man.

The drill involves timing how long it takes the outfielder to return the ball to the infield. Try it and see if it helps the players on your team.

There's a video that helps walk through the drill.

Sweating And Hydration

At this time of year, we're seeing the weather cool off a bit, but this information about why hydration is important to your "cooling system" is worth noting.

This post on the Frayed Laces blog outlines how fluid intake is critical for athletes so they can sweat successfully. Our ability to sweat is important as it is our internal "cooling system".

Don't take hydration for granted. Make sure you're properly hydrating yourself and the athletes you coach during intense activity.

Keep in mind that sodium intake is also a consideration here as we lose it when we sweat.

To Have Reconstructive ACL Surgery Or Not

I'm sharing some interesting perspective posed on the Youth Sports Parents blog regarding young athletes and reconstructive ACL surgery.

Mark Hyman's post refers to a recent study highlighted in the New York Times that sought to identify whether patients fared better with the surgery or just with physical therapy rehabilitation.

The study doesn't really come down on side over the other, but Hyman makes a keen observation that if a young athlete is contemplating such serious surgery, but may not play sports beyond the first few years of high school, then perhaps the "hammer" of surgery goes beyond what is necessary.

Obviously, families need to consider these issues on their own based on the situation. However, Hyman poses some interesting points to consider if one of your child athletes is facing this type of a decision.

Protein Feeds Your Muscles

There are many great sources of protein available to help feed those muscles.

Check out this post from www.active.com that features a variety of articles on the benefits of protein, good sources of protein, the use of protein supplements and other topics.

Your muscles need protein for fueling and refueling. Look for those sources that are best for both before and after your workouts.

And don't forget, children especially need their daily supply of protein. Those muscles on little guys need to be fed properly! Milk, peanut butter and sandwich meat are always easy sources of protein for children.

Taking a little break from blogging for a few days - back next week!

Beat The Heat In Practice

It's that time of year again. You're getting started with fall sports and you're ready to practice soccer, football or whatever the sport may be.

The problem dynamic here is that you're practicing for fall sports while the weather still says summer. So make sure to take some precautionary measures in your early days of practice until cooler days prevail --

Send a communication to parents advising them to send their children to practice with light clothing and a big water bottle.

Bring water! Don't assume the kids will bring their own.

Take frequent breaks.

If it's particularly hot, don't be afraid to ice water down some towels.

Learn signs for heat exhaustion. Click here for a post from Elizabeth Quinn on www.about.com on heat exhaustion. This article includes a variety of other helpful links and tips for conducting safer practices in the heat.

Have a mobile phone handy along with a list of mobile phone numbers for parents (Remember to collect those number prior to practice starting).

Follow these simple rules and you'll feel safer about your practices in hot weather.

Reducing Overuse Injuries Among Youth

I know I recently wrote about this topic, but Mark Hyman's Sports Illustrated article on this topic is worth sharing.

Hyman wrote a great piece in June about pioneering orthopedic surgeon James Andrews' efforts to warn parents against overuse injuries among children. This problem is reaching epidemic proportions and parents, as well as coaches, must be more sensitive to it.

As a parent who is assisting his 14-year-old son in coping through a serious elbow injury, I can tell you that you shouldn't take any signs of injury lightly among athletic children. If you detect something is wrong, visit your family physician immediately.

While we have carefully monitored our son's sports' activities over the years, his injury was more genetically-driven. When he began "short-arming" his baseball throws, I wished we would have acted more quickly. We're on the road to recovery now, but it's been a challenging road.

As the competition and hype heats up among youth athletes, pay careful attention to this issue and avoid problems you may regret later.

Try An Ice Bath For Sore Muscles

We're always predisposed toward taking a "hot" bath to ease the pain of sore muscles.

However, an "ice" bath may be the better source of treatment, according to Marty Jaramillo, CEO of the I.C.E Sports Health Center.

Sure, a hot bath always feels good, but read Jaramillo's comments from www.fitnessmagazine.com. He relates why the ice treatment is more productive and how to go about taking an effective ice bath.

Make sure to use this approach with your children when they return home from games or practices complaining of muscle soreness. Trust my experience - they are intrigued by the novelty of an "ice bath".

Sore muscles? Maybe reach for the ice instead of the heat next time.

Effort Starts To Curb Youth Sports Injuries

A group of surgeons and professional athletes will work to help stop increasing youth sports injuries.

The effort is being led by noted orthopedic surgeon James Andrews as he claims, "Youth sports injuries are reaching epidemic proportions." Former major league pitcher John Smoltz and quarterback Sam Bradford will be featured in public awareness efforts aimed toward curbing this problem among youth athletes.

Having just gone through the experience of a son requiring significant elbow surgery, I was pleased to read about this. This is a real epidemic that needs more attention in the public debate.

Read more about this important effort in this article authored by Robert A. Guth.

Follow These Rules For Hydration

This is perhaps the best article I've seen outlining the importance of fuel and hydration during exercise.

Matt Fitzgerald writes in this www.active.com post why it's important and when it's important to hydrate and refuel in cycling training. While it makes sense for cycling, it applies to other athletic endeavors as well.

Any time you're getting sweaty and working out in warmer weather, hydration and fuel become even more important. Check out this post to learn more about how you can keep yourself ready to go.

Coaches, don't forget to make sure your players are taking plenty of water breaks this summer.

More Creative Exercise Ideas

As busy people, we're all seeking that "edge" to exercise better and more frequently. However, that becomes a challenge with the hectic lives we lead.

Kelly Roberson shared some great ideas in a recent article published in The Des Moines Register. Her article particularly offers ways to keep fit within some of your children's athletic activities.

Personally speaking, when I have coached my children, I always offered to lead the team in their warm-up drills. This provided an extra workout boost to my day - and it ALL helps!

Check Out This Baseball Site

I normally don't recommend sites simply marketing new products. But I've decided to make an exception here.

Most of this site is a ringing endorsement for the product being marketed. It's a training bat tool for baseball players at all levels, but check it out -http://www.theswingmechanic.com.

This was recommended by fellow blogger Michael LaChappelle. While it goes heavy into the Swing Maniac products, it has quite a bit of helpful baseball tutorial information and links on it as well.

Michael is a sports enthusiast and Boston Marathon qualifier and writes for the timesunion.com as well as his own blog http://how2runfast.com.

Let's Tackle Youth Obesity

Not a topic that people are overly excited to discuss, but it's so important.

Obesity is costing our beloved country an estimated $147 billion annually! This is becoming a very real public health threat, that if not addressed, will only grow and continue to drain in costs.

What is potentially a more dangerous aspect of this problem is how it affects our youth. If we're not teaching children the value of healthy eating and exercise, certainly these tendencies will likely carry through to adulthood.

Recently, www.sparkpeople.com posted some great news on this front with what some in the soft drink industry are doing to help stem the problem - http://ow.ly/1oHfN.

I was also encouraged by the recent coverage from Newsweek on this topic and how First Lady Michelle Obama is tackling it head on. Check it out - http://ow.ly/1oHfN http://ow.ly/1oHoD.

Everyone has a role in being more responsible about this issue.

Are You Ready For Practice?

I never thought I'd see the day where the snow would melt in Iowa, but that day has come!

Soon, you'll be ready to take to the fields for baseball, soccer or whatever your children choose to play this spring. It's even better if you've volunteered to take up the burden as "coach". Two things to remember on this front - first, I want to thank you for volunteering. The world needs more parents to step up and volunteer for coaching roles. Second, it's not as hard as you think. Remember, they are young children and the most important priority is to have fun!

Here's a checklist of items you may want to consider as you move toward your practices --

Introduce yourself to parents. Take time to call them each by phone and offer them your take on season expectations. Make sure to obtain e-mail addresses so you can easily communicate with them regularly about practices, games and other events.

Identify a place to practice. Does the league offer facilities where you can schedule practice time? Do you need to reserve public spaces or is it "first come, first served"? If the weather is still crummy, contact the facilities manager at your local school district to identify the policy for reserving gym space.

Develop a practice plan. Time out a plan for all of the activities you want to accomplish for each practice and share with assistant coaches. You can't believe how much more productive the time in practice will be if you make a habit of doing this.

Have a list of warmup drills ready. Plan to do 10 to 15 minutes of standard stretching exercises, lunges, sprints, pushups, situps and the like. These are great for getting young bodies ready for a practice or game.

Make sure water is available. As it gets warm, either bring a cooler or make sure there is access to water fountain. Trust me, young children are lucky to remember their equipment, much less a bottle of water.

End practice with a fun activity and a positive word. I like to end practice with a fun activity that involves the kids running around to a point where they are working, but having fun. Relays, baserunning races are both good for these types of activities. Share a positive word with the kids before they leave to keep things on the high road.

Now go have fun - outdoors, hopefully!

Regularly Introduce New Drills

Baseball season is JUST around the corner. And that's good news!

I found some good advice in the Baseball Drills and Coaching Tips blog recently. Check it out --http://tinyurl.com/ygs9sv8.

The drill introduced here is pretty typical, but the advice behind it is helpful. The thought is that you need to regularly introduce new drills to your team to help keep their interest. Run through it a few times late in a practice, then watch the players work to get it right when you execute it at the next practice.

I've seen children respond very positively to new drills. Some drills don't work well and that's okay as long as you realize it and move on. But when you find something that works, try it again! And the only way to find out what will work is to continue to introduce new drills from time to time and keep things "fresh".

Local Man Makes Good With Yoga

I was surprised, but thrilled to see a man training professional basketball players about the benefits of yoga.

But I was even more surprised to see he was a local Des Moines man AND his brother coached my son in basketball for a few years.

I digress.

Check out the story of Kent Katich from Lynn Hicks and David Elbert at the Des Moines Register - http://tinyurl.com/yks2nla.

He's appeared on ESPN.com and made quite a name for himself training professional athletes and developing a line of yoga products.

Learn More About CrossFit

The story of Hector Delgado is not only inspirational, but it also serves to teach about another great fitness program.

As a Navy corporal, Delgado suffered terrible injuries in 2003. His weight ballooned and he was looking for ways to get himself back into shape. One of his friends mentioned a vigorous cross-training routine called CrossFit. He mentioned it was often used by military special forces.

CrossFit was designed in the 1980s by California trainer Greg Glassman. Delgado was enticed by the workout's intensity and variety, and liked the camaraderie of the exercisers.

He now works out five times a week and keeps a strict eating regime. His 5-foot-6 frame is down to 149 pounds, and he now has the strength to walk short distances unassisted.

Check out James Wagner's piece from the Wall Street Journal on this great story - http://tinyurl.com/y886kjj.

Want To Get Faster?

Interval training is the key to making yourself faster - no matter what the sport.

This post by professional triathlete Jessi Stensland at http://www.active.com/ makes the philosophy behind interval training very easy to understand. Check it out - http://tinyurl.com/ybz7khn.

Interval training is great if you're truly looking to improve speed and it's a great concept to apply to your athletes as you're coaching them toward improvement!

So You Want To Be A Fitness Trainer

Just doing some exploring about fitness training and I came across some interesting information.

If you are interested in seeking employment in the fitness area, there's some great information available on the American Council of Exercise site - http://www.acefitness.org/. In addition to the information you'll need about various certifications that are available, you can look to see which schools in your area have classes to assist you in this quest.

The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America also has certification programs available that you can check out at their website http://www.afaa.com/.

See what options are available in this rewarding area of work!