Water Breaks

Hydration for athletes is an absolute necessity. This is almost like an around the clock job. Hydration needs to take place well before, during, and well after sporting activities. Coaches should always emphasize the importance of hydration and practice this action as well. Additionally, because hydrating/drinking water needs to take place during sport-related activities, it's important that coaches allow time for this to take place.

Here are some easy ways to structure water breaks for your team:

1. After every segment of your practice finishes, have your players break for water
2. During an activity, ask your players if they require a drink - it never hurts to ask your players if they need more water
3. Keep water breaks anywhere from 1-5 minutes depending on the level that you are coaching as well as the intensity level of your practice
4. Have your players remain standing during a water break - this helps players not lose their legs
5. Encourage your players to jog back into the playing area after the water break is finished

Water breaks are incredibly important for all levels of play in sports. Water breaks are also incredibly important regardless of whether you are coaching an indoor or outdoor sport. If your players are outputting energy, they will require water breaks. If you have failed to be mindful of water breaks in the past, it is likely that you're not giving your players enough opportunity/time for water breaks. This is an important part of practices and games that cannot be ignored. Do not forget to be mindful of this reality always and in every way. This sort of thing is a great concern in terms of our health and safety guidelines as well as our duty/standard of care as coaches. Let's not neglect the great importance of water breaks in sports. Our players need it and every sport demands it.