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KINGSFORD -- With temperatures in the mid-70s, it was a comfortable morning for the opening of Kingsford's football camp Monday.  But everyone is aware the heat could be right around the corner. 

Even with the mild morning, coaches gave plenty of water breaks and reminded players to hydrate.

"As often as we can, they're over there getting a drink.  We're obviously looking at the heat all the time and seeing where it's at,” said Kingsford’s football coach, Chris Hofer.  “It's our job to keep reminding [students] and giving them those opportunities."

But coaches and trainers aren't alone in keeping student-athletes safe on the field.  The Michigan High School Athletic Association mandates that the first three days of football camp be 'helmets only' for safety purposes.

"Your body needs to adjust and get acclimated a little bit to the heat, and just having a little less equipment on is going to be a big help," said Kingsford athletic trainer, Lane Lindeman.

Dehydration can easily lead to more serious conditions like heat exhaustion or even heat stroke, so staying hydrated is a must.

Keeping student-athletes safe from the heat starts long before they step on the practice field.  Lindeman said hydration should start the day before.

"If it's going to be hot, we make sure that the [student-athletes] are staying ahead of the game,” he said.  “We don't want them out here dehydrated, trying to catch up on the field because once it gets to that point, it's too late.  We want them the night before to be getting enough so we don't worry about it the day of."

But part of the onus falls on the student-athletes to know their bodies and stay hydrated both on and off the field.