Staying in shape during the off season of a sport is important, but it can be difficult to do. There are many distractions that come along with free time. Being determined is an essential trait for an athlete and can determine being good from being great.
“In the off season for football I am in track, so I stay in good shape and it keeps my agility and speed at a good level,” said Junior Mitchell Valli. “I also lift weights and do exercises specifically for wide receiver. I am always in an off season for different sports, but they all keep me in shape for the others. Being a multiple sport athlete is great.”
For many sports there are ways to play year round. By continuously playing it will help you stay in shape while also developing into a better player.
“I play at Northern Lights Volleyball and I work out three nights a week,” said Sophomore Kylee Zumach.”It keeps me in shape. I’m never sitting, always going. So I never have time to get worse.”
Off season leagues and workouts are key to getting better. Over time practice will make a player become better and it will push them to the next competitive level. Joe Mauer didn’t do serious off-season conditioning last year, and his stats reflected that. He played only 82 games last year because of injury and had a .283 batting average.
