An NBA wake-up call? Why coaches are giving smelling salts a try

Smelling salts have been around for centuries, common around sports to give athletes a quick jolt of adrenaline.Search the internet and there are coaches and players spotted sniffing the ammonia inhalants before a game, with their instant reactions — a noticeable head jerk or contorted face — going viral. Sports like football, hockey, boxing and powerlifting have long been associated with smelling salts. They’re used in basketball, as well.Advertisement