"This is the heat acclimation week" — High school coach Caleb Perry shares unique playbook technique to accommodate new football players

Hot temperatures swept across Arkansas this week, which resulted in a heat advisory for much of the state. In response, schools like Bauxite implemented strict safety protocols to protect student-athletes from the oppressive heat.

For now, Bauxite students are practicing in helmets only, and they will be seen in pads and full uniforms by the end of the week, according to coach Caleb Perry.

“This is the heat acclimation week, and so the kids have to go through each day before they can advance to the next one just to be safe,” Perry told Kark.

To ensure safe practice conditions, Coach Perry relies on the National Weather Service, particularly the wet bulb global temperature (WBGT) readings. The WBGT accounts for wind, direct sunlight and overall heat exposure.

Perry’s strategy focuses on maximizing player safety while maintaining the integrity of their training. By monitoring the weather closely, he can decide on practice times, ensuring players are not exposed to dangerous heat levels.

Coach Caleb Perry, an Arlington High School graduate, was offered a five-year scholarship to play football for the Arkansas Razorbacks, where he played from 1999 to 2003. His coaching career began at Shiloh Christian School in Springdale, Arkansas. Perry later coached at Hewitt-Trussville School in Alabama before Bauxite hired him in 2020.

What do Bauxite players say about Caleb Perry's approach?

Liberty football coach Rich Muraco recently had to adjust his summer practice schedule last month to fit within a cooler 6 pm to 10 pm window to cope with the extreme heat.

Casey Dick, coach of Fayetteville High School’s football team, applies a different safety measure when facing extreme weather. His team utilizes indoor facilities for practices and activities when conditions are unsafe and incorporates multiple water breaks throughout each session.

Meanwhile, coach Caleb Perry relies on real-time data from the National Weather Service to guide practice times.

This data-driven approach has received a thumbs-up from Bauxite players. Elijah Perry, a sophomore quarterback at the school, noted the importance of addressing the heat head-on, saying (via Kark),

“We got to do it, you know, for our teammates. That’s how we motivate each other. That’s how we motivate each other through this heat,” Perry stated.

Which approach do you think is the most suitable for players? Let us know in the comments.