Match in extreme heat

[Playtennis]

My kids are supposed to play tomorrow in a USTA L4. Its supposed to be extreme conditions on east coast. 105 with heat advisory. I am concerned but told them they can stop if they feel lightheaded etc...all players are going to be dealing with the heat. Any advice? They are in 14 and under. THanks.

[Lovely_Bone]

I play in Texas, so I deal with this ALL THE TIME -.-
My advice would just be to make sure they have a towel to wipe the sweat, and wear sweatbands and a headband if possible, and being somewhat dry will make you feel just slightly better. Also make sure they have plenty of cold water, and are well hydrated going into the match. Furthermore, require them to take a drink during every changeover. If they do these things it will be fine.

[Devilito]

Kids are resilient. I remember playing in 114 in juniors. Was so hot my water turned to tea between changeovers. Id recommend a cooler with ice or something to be able to give your kid some cold water frequently. Drink plenty during changeover and drink Gatorade or something with electrolytes because he might sweat so much that just drinking water won’t help. Hat, sunscreen, towel, etc.

[Playtennis]

Thank you so much!

[mikeler]

It's a just a tennis match. Most important is that they don't go to the hospital because of the heat. Make sure they know how bad the heat is and that you'd rather default and play another day then many worse alternatives.

[LeftyServe]

Originally Posted by Lovely_Bone

I play in Texas, so I deal with this ALL THE TIME -.-
My advice would just be to make sure they have a towel to wipe the sweat, and wear sweatbands and a headband if possible, and being somewhat dry will make you feel just slightly better. Also make sure they have plenty of cold water, and are well hydrated going into the match. Furthermore, require them to take a drink during every changeover. If they do these things it will be fine.

Good advice. But remember that Texas kids are acclimated to playing in the extreme heat. Might be a lot more dicey for kids not used to that kind of weather.

[tennisconsultcom]

Be careful. Remember that your kids' health are much more important that any other things. I remember how my kid played a match last year in Azusa, CA. It was about 105, but lower humidity than on east coast. He was good prepared for the match, 1 liter fluid one hour before the match, sports drinks and water and ice towel on the court. I saw kids who really suffered from high temperature and were sick. So, do not play with your kids health. Frankly, my opinion is necessary to cancel matches in situation like this. Too many risks for kids health. BTW look at this article, it is useful for parents "The health of your kid is more important than their tennis ranking" http://wp.me/p2iyrR-2j

[myservenow]

When I was in my teens I played a couple of tennis matches in brutal conditions like that and, by the end felt chills although I was burning up. I had one of the worst headaches I've ever experienced on top of it. I didn't understand it but made it home and just laid in a bath tub full of cold water until I came back around. I learned later on that I had signs of heat stroke which was quite scary.

To be fair I took no precautions and made no attempt to condition myself to the heat. You have to take this stuff seriously but with the right precautions should be fine.

[ttwarrior1]

bad advice, and the match should be cancelled or moved indoors somewhere

Also have them drink some pickle juice, no joke.

cold wet towels, alot of ice and a leader there to watch over everything and extra rest between rest periods

[DownTheLine]

I would allow them to play, but stress to them that they can default at any time!!

[Lovely_Bone]

Originally Posted by LeftyServe

Good advice. But remember that Texas kids are acclimated to playing in the extreme heat. Might be a lot more dicey for kids not used to that kind of weather.

True, but it should be fine. One of my buddies moved down here from Oregon during the hottest part of the summer, and it was a exceptionally hot summer, and he was fine. Just gotta do everything I said and they'll only notice the heat before and after the matches if your head is in the right place.

[TeflonTom]

Originally Posted by DownTheLine

I would allow them to play, but stress to them that they can default at any time!!

u put 14 yo kids out there, they ain't gunna default brah. kids are competitive, they wanna leave their guts out there

if u let kids play u gotta be the one to make the call bout the heat. once they there, they aint callin it off by themselves

specially if they boyz

fwiw american society of pediatricians recommends u dont let shorties play sports in anythin over 85 degrees cos of risk of heat related injury. so mebbe think bout that before u let them play