THE NEXT TIME you’re facing a late fall game and are wondering how your players will handle the cold weather, take a lesson from the Green Bay Packers. Not willing to give in to cold weather, their players maintain that it’s mainly a matter of adapting.
When temperatures drop below the freezing mark with a wind chill factor just above zero, psychological factors are bound to play on the minds of players. But by putting a positive spin on the weather, the Packers have posted a 48-15 home record in the month of December dating back to Vince Lombardi’s first season in Green Bay. In fact, quarterback
Brett Favre is 30-0 at home when the temperature drops below 34 degrees.
Be Careful. Yet the dangers of frostbite and dehydration to your players must be considered when you play in severe cold. Even so, data from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute indicates the body’s impact from cold weather performance isn’t very dramatic.
Their studies indicate that playing in cold weather can increase a player‘s ventilation rate and decrease peripheral blood flow. But since heart rate, oxygen usage and cardiac output don’t change with cold-weather exercise, the issue becomes psychological.
Be Prepared. To keep players dry and to avoid hypothermia, the Packers equipment staff provides synthetic gloves and socks. Trainers ask players to consume plenty of carbohydrates to prevent muscle fatigue and drink more fluids to avoid dehydration.
Yet the Packers go a step further by turning frosty December conditions to their advantage. Most Packer players refuse to wear restrictive neoprene tights as they feel they might rob them of an edge on the field.
Be Confident. Since you can’t control the weather when your team plays in late fall, control whatever psychological factors you can. Anything you control will give your team an increased sense of confidence and help you win more late fall games.