How coaches are keeping athletes safe in dangerous heat

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) – Teams and bands across central Ohio are working to stay safe in this week’s potentially dangerous heat while also having effective practices.

The high temperatures are hitting as football teams and marching bands get ready for week two.

“It’s going to be a hot week, that’s what I know. We kind of got tricked last week with it being a little cooled down,” said Ryan Sayers, Head Coach of the Northland High School Football Team.

He said his staff will be making sure players not only have plenty of water at practice, but also during the nights before and days leading up to the time outside.

“I always result back on the side of the medical professional, right, like if my athletic trainer, whatever she says, how much we can practice, how many water breaks we need, we always err on the side of whatever our athletic trainer says,” Sayers said.

Sayer also told NBC4 indoor preparations will be done during the hottest of times. Other coaches said they’ll be taking similar safety steps.

“We’re going to try to obviously limit what we do on the field but prioritize what we do on the field. The rest of the time we’ll spend in the gym either doing a walk through or watching film and trying to increase our knowledge that way,” said Bruce Ward, Head Coach at Gahanna Lincoln.

Local marching bands are being careful too. Joshua Boyer, Director of Bands at Olentangy Orange High School, said water breaks are typically taken every 20 to 30 minutes but this week they will happen more often.

“You make sure you kind of balance time inside and outside,” Boyer said. “We’re pushing over 90 degrees now and still have things to do and things to get prepared for so we can’t really take the time off, we still have to get ready for Friday night.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.