Got water?

Or how about some other kind of drink that replaces essential minerals?

A bit of shade would be nice, too.

Pre-season practice for fall sports will be here before you know it, and it’s never too early to start thinking about how to survive the desert heat.

On May 22, the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Executive Board approved, as emergency legislation, the AIA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) Heat Acclimatization and External Heat Management Policy.

Bylaw 14.17 went into effect July 1 and is patterned after the concussion-education issues the AIA implemented a year ago with the assistance of the Barrows Neurological Institute in Phoenix and the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.

The new bylaw is clearly aimed at football, whose athletes would appear to be most affected in July, August and most of September.

It says that prevention is the main way to avoid heat stroke, and includes educating student-athletes and coaches about . . .

*Recognition and management of exertional heat illnesses.

*The risks associated with exercising in hot, humid environmental conditions.

*The need for gradual acclimatization over a 14-day period.

*Guidelines for proper hydration.

*Implementing practice and competition modifications according to local temperature and relative humidity readings.

In the first five days of the heat-acclimatization period, athletes may not participate in more than one practice per day. Total practice time should not exceed three hours, and a one-hour maximum walk-through is allowed.

During the first three days, only helmets are allowed. In days four through six, helmets and shoulder pads can be worn. Contact with blocking sleds and tackling dummies will be allowed in this time frame.

In days six through 14, double-practice days must be followed by a single practice day. Beginning on the seventh day, all protective equipment may be worn. Live contract drills will be allowed. And athletic trainers are recommended to be on site before, during and after practices.

In regard to fluid replenishment, the recommendation is for three to eight ounces for every 20 minutes for 9- to 12-year olds and up to 1 to 1 ½ liters (approximately 34-50 ounces) per hour for teen athletes.

And, of course, hydration should begin long before practice. If you wait, it can be too late.

The AIA also recommends that those suspected of exertional heat exhaustion be referred to a licensed physician for follow-up and clearance. Refraining from exercise for seven days after such an episode is recommended, but clearance for a return to full competition could be as long as two to four weeks.

I know how much the heat can take out of you by performing simple tasks such as mowing the lawn. Just think of what it can feel with the exertion necessary to play football.

The best advice is to be smart about this. The AIA is concerned for the health and safety of all of its athletes and coaches.