Hell week in football -- also referred to as two-a-days -- is the period of time when practices start at the beginning of the season. Typically, for most football teams, hell week starts sometime in August, when the heat and humidity can make already-grueling practices that much more exhausting and demanding. But with a little preparation and knowledge, you can survive hell week.
Preparation Can Help You Survive Hell Week
Step 1
Run one to three miles. Repeat this three to four days during the week with a day off in between. One of the most effective ways to survive hell week is to get yourself in shape before practices even start. This will also help you acclimate to the summer heat.
Step 2
Lift weights. Work your legs, back and biceps on day one, then chest triceps, calves and abs on day two. Take a rest day, and repeat. Then take two rest days. If possible, work in your running on days you work your upper body.
Step 3
Run sprints. Bally Total Fitness recommends running sprints three days per week as part of your offseason conditioning program. Do a ¼-mile warm-up jog, followed by 10 x 10 yards, 10 x 20 yards, 10 x 40 yards and finally a ¼-mile cool-down jog and stretching.
Step 4
Follow your team's offseason conditioning program. Some coaching staffs will put together an offseason conditioning program of lifting and running for players. They may be organized and completed at school facilities or you may do the workouts on your own time. Either way, they are meant to help you get into shape before hell week starts.
Once Practices Start
Step 1
Drink water before practice starts. You should drink between 8 and 16 oz. of cold water prior to the start of each practice. This will give you a good hydration base and will help prevent muscle cramping during practice. Muscle cramping can cause prolonged muscle soreness.
Step 2
Drink sports drinks during practice. You should drink 5 to 9 oz. of sports drink to replenish electrolytes about every 20 minutes, or whenever you feel thirsty. This will help prevent muscle cramping soreness and also more serious issues such as heat stroke.
Step 3
Take a cold bath. During practice, your blood vessels open up. The extreme soreness you feel after a hard practice results from lactic acid entering your muscles through the blood vessels. If you take a cold bath within an hour after football practice, the cold water will constrict your blood vessels and reduce the amount of lactic acid -- thereby reducing your soreness.
Step 4
Consume protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes after practice. Chocolate milk is an option, as are specially-made sports drinks that contain protein and carbs. Both protein and carbs enhance muscle recovery and repair. Recovery drinks will also help you rehydrate after practice. Consuming foods with protein and carbs such as a protein or nutrition bar is also an option.
References
- Bally Total Fitness: Football Pre-season program
- Muscle and Strength: Off-season football training
- Virginia Pilot: Football: Two-a-days are here to stay
- Moms Team: Preventing heat illness during summer football practice
- Moms Team: Drinking fluids before, during and after sports important for children
- Moms Team: Replace electrolytes lost during sports
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