Texas Summers
Texas summer is in full swing and it’s an excellent time for children to get outside and enjoy youth soccer! Exercising regularly is important, especially for kids’ growing bodies, and summer sports are perfect for having fun and staying active. As Houstonians know, one major concern in summer is the brutal Texas heat.
Temperatures can easily stay in triple digits for weeks. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, you can help prevent dehydration, potential heat stroke, and other major consequences of too much time in the Texas summer sun.
Safety First at FFPS!
At FFPS, we ensure that everyone is taking precautions during the hottest months of the year. Young children are particularly at risk in Texas summers while playing soccer. Don’t worry though: taking pragmatic steps can help protect your children so they can focus on having an exciting time playing youth soccer!
Drink Water, Hydrate, and Drink More Water!
Be sure to bring plenty of water so that everyone has the chance to drink water throughout the entire day. Sports drinks, like Gatorade, are great because athletes can replace electrolytes while not intaking copious amounts of sugar. It is also crucial to hydrate your children before practice or games, as well as during and after soccer activities.
It is especially important to keep children from drinking beverages with substantial amounts of caffeine, which can lead to dehydration quickly. This means no sodas. It is important to have a healthy balanced diet during snack breaks, providing your players with essential carbs and fruits to give them energy, along with providing additional hydration is necessary for staying safe in Texas summer’s.
Shade, a Texans Best Friend
It is important to provide some shade whenever you can during the summer. It is truly one of the best ways to cool down in the Texas summer. Getting out of the direct sun makes a dramatic difference overall. Even on the hottest day, sitting in the shade can make a person feel like it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler outside. Soccer fields may not always have substantial amounts of shade, so consider bringing a chair with a topper or an umbrella with you! However, we do not permit large cabana style coverings at FFPS games.
Cold towels help everyone stay cool.
A simple lifehack for staying cool during summer is to take full advantage of cooling towels. Simply put some washcloths in a cooler, that is full of ice to keep them nice and cold. During breaks, children can put these towels on their foreheads, necks, and other places for a quick efficient cool-down. Keeping a spray bottle full of icy water for a quick spritz during breaks can also help kids keep cool in the sun.
Remember to Put on Sunscreen and then Reapply More
It is often forgotten, but sunscreen is vitally important for protecting your children from the sun’s harmful UV rays. It is highly recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has 50 SPF. Ideally, the sunscreen should be applied before practice or games, but also needs to be reapplied every two hours while spending time outside.
Do Not Forget Your Own Heat Protection.
While kids are most at risk from overheating/dehydration during youth soccer activities, spectators, parents, and coaches should take preventive measures as well. Bring plenty of water for yourself, try to sit in the shade, and do not forget sunscreen and a hat of some kind!
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