Sport-specific training underway
By Donnie A. Lucas
Summer conditioning and limited sport-specific training for students entering grades 7-12 are being held Monday through Thursday mornings at the high school.
The conditioning and football specific training for boys started last week and will continue through July 22, while the girls’ summer program began on June 7 and will continue through the month of June. The girls will take the first week of July off, but they will return for two more weeks of training in July.
Both conditioning programs meet daily on Monday through Thursday for six weeks, which is regulated by UIL rules.
The girls meet from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. during the four weeks of June, which ends July 1. Following a two-week break during the first half of July, the girls will resume workouts on July 19 and continuing through July 29.
Coach M.J. Reneau reported about 15 girls are participating in the conditioning, while about 10-12 stay for sport-specific training.
In addition to the agility and conditioning workouts, sport specific training is held from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Junior high basketball and high school volleyball will train on Mondays, while high school basketball and junior high volleyball will meet on Tuesdays.
The girls will also be able to take advantage of an open gym one day each week, which can vary.
On the boys side, the summer program started last week and continues for four more weeks.
The boys will meet for strengthening and conditioning at 7:00 a.m. and continue for an hour to an hour and a half. The earlier meeting time is to accommodate participants that have summer jobs.
Sport specific training for football is set for Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 5:30 p.m. throughout the six-week period.
Athletic director Ryder Peacock said that about 45-50 boys are showing up for the morning conditioning program.
“We are seeing about 20-25 for both high school and junior high each morning, which is a really good number,” Peacock said. “We still encourage anyone who wants to join us to come. It’s not too late to start.”
Coach Denney Faith is reporting similar numbers for the afternoon football specific sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Both the girls’ and boys’ programs are open to all students entering grades 7-12 in the fall and are open to all regardless of the sport or sports they participate in during the school year.
“The strengthening and conditioning drills will be geared to benefit all sports programs, not just football,” Faith said. “Everyone is welcome.”
Students will also be allowed to use the school’s weight room from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on regular work days for staff members.
Camp and
Two-a-days
A special team camp just for high school volleyball players is tentatively set for July 26-29.
“I’m having a hard time finding a coach to conduct our team camp, so we may change what we are doing,” Reneau said. “That is not definite yet.”
Both volleyball and football two-a-days will start on Monday, Aug. 2.
Students will need to bring completed and signed paperwork on the first day of two-a-days, along with a completed physical exam unless they received a physical in May at the school.
Faith said that most students took advantage of free physical exams during May. However, anyone not undergoing an exam at the school will have to obtain one at their own expense before two-a-days begin.
