Samantha Axon, Reporter
@SAxonCourant
One may believe that once November hits, the fall sports are over until August rolls around the next year. But, some sports have elected to run Spring training programs to help athletes train during the offseason. Two of these teams are the football team and the boys soccer team.
Over the course of the week, different workouts will take place in order to help players gain an edge in their upcoming seasons. Teddy Hood, one of the football co-captains, described a regular week of training and what the team typically works on, “The team works out Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays,” he said. “Tuesdays we will start with lower body workout, then we will focus on the upper body, and Saturday is agility and explosives. Each session is about about an hour.”
The Spring training for soccer is different, with more focus on the game and developing skills. Hugo Potter, one of the boys soccer co-captains, explained. “The program is an opportunity for athletes to continue playing soccer throughout the offseason,” he said. “Those who are not participating in other sports in the Spring can play and prepare for next season.”
Teddy sees a difference in athletes that choose to participate in Spring training and those who do not. “Strength
is the most important part of football and therefore lifting is preparing us for the season,” Teddy said. “A lot of people who do not participate in the program are not really ready for the upcoming season.”
James Freyre, also a football co-captain, sees this program as necessary to build teamwork on and off of the field. “Not only does the Spring training build strength, but it also builds teamwork,” James said. “Working with a team and going through the same struggle brings the group together, so it is really important that everyone on the team attends these sessions.”
Despite playing different sports, Hugo and James agree that the offseason programs help create good team
camaraderie. “The program allows the team to able to create more of a team chemistry and it allows athletes to prepare for the season instead of just attending pre-season for 2 weeks,” Hugo said.
James has also seen an improvement in the direction and success of the team through implementing these Spring workouts. “The program has made the teams in the past extremely successful,” James said. “Since Coach Miska started this program, the football team has won 2 straight state championships. We have been gaining an edge in strength and speed.”
Teddy sees the results as the reason why athletes continue to come back to the program year after year. “Coach Miska gets athletes excited. When these athletes start to see results in performance and strength, they eventually start to like lifting. It is a strong motivator.”
James sees a strong benefit of making sure that the training continues year after year. “The lifting program is imperative to the New Canaan Athletics,” he said. “It has helped me become the athlete and teammate that I am today.”
