Conditioning to start June 13

By Sam Waller

Before the school year even ends, Albany coaches are making plans for the beginning of a new fall sports season.

Summer conditioning for all incoming seventh through 12th graders will begin Monday, June 13, and continue four days a week into July.

Summer workouts are regulated by UIL rules.

“Anybody that wants to play next year that wants to be here can be here,” Albany football coach Denney Faith said. “We’re trying to get them ready for Aug. 1. When we start two-a-days, those that show up and spend some extra time this summer are that much further along.”

Preseason practice for high school football and volleyball will begin Monday, Aug. 1. Junior high sports cannot hold practices until school starts.

Boys summer sessions will be from 7:00 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m. each Monday through Thursday until July 21. Workouts will include weight lifting, agility drills and conditioning.

“We’ll follow this basic schedule up until we start getting ready for two-a-days,” Faith said. “We’ll give them a week off before the start of two-a-days. We try to give the Fourth of July off if it hits on one of those days.”

This year, July 4 is on a Monday.

Boys will also conduct afternoon skill sessions twice a week. Faith said specific times and days have not been decided.

“Last year. we went 5:00-6:00 p.m. Monday and Wednesday,” he said.

The girls program will run five weeks with a break in early July. Sessions are scheduled for Monday through Thursday from June 13 through June 30, then from July 18 through July 28. Daily sessions will be 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Basketball open gym for girls will be 10:30-11:30 a.m. on the four Mondays  in June – 6, 13, 20, and 27.

Volleyball will have sport-specific instruction  10:30-11:30 a.m. on four Thursdays – June 23 and 30 and July 14 and 21.