What happens to all the fall and winter athletes in the off-season? Spring sports are in full swing but for some Placer High School athletes the spring and summer seasons are all about conditioning and preparing for next year’s season. Basketball and football teams are often seen practicing on Placer’s campus and still more athletes are working out on their own getting ready for next year.
“Off-season training is absolutely necessary,” stated sophomore football player Peter Denham. “A good sports program revolves around a good off-season. We are to get back in shape and do some conditioning so we are prepared for next year’s season.”
Placer’s football team can be seen out on the practice field almost every day of the year. The summer season is dominated by the shouts and cries of the team out on the field running through plays and drills preparing for the upcoming season.
“It’s a really intense program,” added Denham. “We are all really competitive and the schedule occupies most of the summer. But I absolutely love it! We get to go on a camp trip with the whole team and it’s a lot of fun.”
Basketball and football PE offer athletes the chances to practice and stay in shape all year round. Practicing all year not only allows friendships, confidence, and trust to build, but also provides an opportunity to perfect plays, enhance necessary skills, and create lasting memories.
“Off-season training helps the team get stronger,” said junior basketball player Alec Knox. “We go over our offenses and play a lot of 5-on-5, just like a regular practice. It’s really competitive and we start to see what the team will look like next year and we get to go to basketball tournaments in Reno, Chico, and Sparks.”
However, a commitment like this takes dedication and a willingness to sacrifice free time. Too much of even a good thing, isn’t good and playing sports all year round can exhaust athletes.
“You don’t get overworked but you can get tired,” explained freshman basketball player Elena Daniel. “Off-season stuff causes a lot of conflicts. We practice through the first month of summer so summer vacations have to be limited in June. We really don’t go anywhere for vacation over spring or Christmas break because we have practice.”
Vacation conflicts are not the only issues. Many athletes at Placer High School play multiple sports and balancing two or even three sports and school can be a challenge.
“I have to practice for both soccer and basketball in the fall when it’s soccer season,” said Knox.
But most of the time coaches understand.
“Coaches realize the conflicts and it’s fun,” added Daniel. “We condition, of course, but it’s not intense all the time. The girl’s basketball team gets to go to Chico and it’s one of the highlights of the year! We still play basketball but we get to know each other and hang out with people we wouldn’t normally hang out with at school. We go to dinner, hang out at the movies, and go swimming!”
While most students are looking forward to time at the beach and a break from school, the elite are choosing to brave the heat and prepare to represent Placer for another year. Spring and summer league provide athletes the chance to grow together as a team and build the necessary trust that makes them a part of that team.