Prep talk: Cramping is part of football’s first-game rituals
For all the warnings, conferences and advice given to high school football players before their first match of the season to hydrate so that they can avoid cramps, it still happens. For any reason, the pain begins, becomes even more painful, then getting out of the field becomes a chore.
“Match 1, for any reason in football, they crash,” said Tim Moscicki, Loyola High sports coach in his 37th year. “Whether it’s lactic acid, anxiety or excitement, I have seen it for years.”
North Hollywood players were several times in their opening match Thursday evening against Granada Hills. Admittedly, hot weather does not help, but everyone apparently has a different strategy to deal with cramps. There are so many supplements that people could try another week of the week.
“Once they started clinging, it’s usually a difficult battle,” said Moscicki. “I don’t think it’s just time. I saw cramps in cold weather, in hot weather, in the rain. Everyone has their own list how to treat – coconut water, bananas, pickle juice, mustard, gatrade. “
St. John Bosco uses a supplement added to the water called Lytening Hydration during his trip to Florida to help in cramps.
“There is no cure for cramps,” said Moscicki.
He advises players to prepare two or three days before matches with hydration. The simple fact of starting the match day will not work.
What are some players are cramps at the opening weekend and coaches asking their sports coaches: “Why are we cramps?”
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