Summer work pays off in fall

School is out and most kids are ready to start their summer vacation with a little fun and relaxation, but for the high school athlete, summer is the beginning of another school year.
Ball tryouts and workouts are part of the normal routine for most kids that are dedicated to playing high school sports. A few of the high school teams have already held tryouts, such as basketball and softball. And the ones good enough to make the squads will spend the rest of their summer working out, practicing and preparing for the upcoming season to start this fall. Basketball and football players will work out over the summer to get in shape and build their muscles so they will be ready to compete this fall.
Some might say this is too much for kids to go through. They feel these kids need to have time to enjoy their summer and have a little fun. But these are the people that don’t realize these kids and coaches are dedicated to improving their skills and are willing to give up a little free time during the summer to help reach their goals.
I hear a few people complain this is just too much to put on these kids, and “we didn’t have to work out all summer when I was in high school.” Well, to those people, I say times have changed.
All sports are played at a different level than they were 30 years ago. In general, kids are stronger and faster than they used to be and in order to stand toe-to-toe with your competition, coaches and athletes have to work all year long just to try and stay at that next level.
It’s not as bad as it sounds. Kids still have time to enjoy their summer break, just like the rest of their classmates. They just have to slip in a couple of hours working out or practicing each day, a time many of them even look forward to.
Coaches understand these kids need a little time off, and they make sure they get it. The TSSAA also has a built-in dead period just for that very purpose. This makes sure that all schools in the state of Tennessee shut down their athletic programs. In fact the TSSAA extended the dead period, which now lasts for a little more than three weeks starting the last full week of this month.
Being a high school athlete may seem a little tough for some, but if it was that bad would we have all these kids trying out and then showing up at school through the summer to work out?
Lets give the coaches a little credit, too. They spend their summers working with our kids and for some, maybe keeping a few out of trouble. They give up most of their summer time, too, getting their teams ready so we can go cheer them on this fall.
Yes, being a high school athlete means giving up a few hours a day during the summer. They may miss a few hours swimming with their friends or they may not stay out as late running around at night like everybody else does. But they still have time to have a little fun and rest and do the things they want.
We all know you have to give up an extra few hours here and there if you’re working toward a goal. People that keep their yard well-maintained spend a few extra hours everyday working to keep the grass cut and the flowers blooming. Kids are doing the same thing when they’re working out. They are trying to keep their bodies in shape over the summer and get ready to bloom in the fall.
If you know someone who plays high school ball, next time you see them let them know how much you appreciate their dedication to their sport and their willingness to give up some of their summer time.
On a more serious matter, over the past couple of weeks you may have noticed that Rob has been absent from the sports section. If you don’t know by now, Rob is having some health issues and is in Saint Thomas hospital and is expected to be there for several more weeks.
I know Rob and his family would appreciate all your prayers for a speedy recovery. I, along with everyone here at the Standard, wish Rob all the best and know he will soon be back behind the sports desk.