[SPORTS ★]
HOW AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS STAY WARM
(P1) With TEMPERATURES expected to be very low and WIND CHILLS even lower, Sunday’s WILD-CARD GAME in Minneapolis between the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings could get NASTY if the players aren’t ready to handle the cold.
(P2) I’ve seen some BRUTAL weather on the field. Snow, wind, ice — YOU NAME IT. That stuff hurts. How can NFL players prepare for the difficult conditions?
(P3) Here are seven ways players can stay warm — and still play well — when the temperatures start to drop.
(P4) 1. Bring out VASELINE
(P5) A jar of Vaseline is an old trick from veteran players to block out the wind. It takes some time to SCRUB off after the game, but it does work.
(P6) 2. Hot chocolate and chicken BROTH
(P7) Drink hot chocolate while you are getting dressed for the game and REFUEL on the SIDELINE with some chicken broth. It’s a great way to keep your body temperature up.
(P8) 3. LAYER up
(P9) Players need to add more layers of clothing to keep warm. In Green Bay, the EQUIPMENT room was STOCKED with fleece TURTLENECKS. They’re very warm.
(P10) 4. Hand warmers
(P11) Those instant hand warmers we buy at GAS STATIONS are all over NFL locker rooms and sidelines during cold-weather games.
(P12) 5. Sideline heaters
(P13) Sideline heaters are the best. They feel as warm as jet engines.
(P14) 6. DOUBLE up on gloves and socks
(P15) Cold-weather gloves have more PADDING and are thicker than standard gloves. Players also wear glove liners underneath their gloves, and thin THERMAL socks underneath their regular game socks.
(P16) 7. Heated benches and helmet warmers
(P17) The heated benches are great. They instantly warm you up. The same goes for helmet warmers. These are attached to the back of the heated benches and are a must for any player. Putting on a cold helmet is terrible!
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SOURCE: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14525394/seven-ways-nfl-players-stay-warm-frigid-conditions-nfl
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Does it get very cold in your country? How do you stay warm?
- Would you rather spend time in very cold weather or very hot weather? What was the coldest and hottest weather you have ever experienced?
- Have you ever tried a winter sport like SKIING or ICE SKATING?
- Do you prefer American football or international football (soccer)?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Wind chill
- Wild-card game
- You name it
- Gas station
- Ice skating
