Athletes make most of spring offseason
Despite finishing their regular seasons, Peninsula sports teams are still training hard during offseason. Whether it is because players dream of advancing to a higher level or have a strong passion, many continue to practice and improve themselves.
Since its shortened season and hiatus due to numerous injuries, Peninsula’s football team has been training in hopes of starting off strong next fall. The team began offseason with coach Michael Christensen in November and has continued with coach David Young since January. The focus is on memorizing plays and maintaining health and muscular strength. The team practices five to six
times a week, conditioning in the weight room and running routes.
“We lift weights most days, so we’re all definitely getting stronger,” junior varsity football player Wyatt Chang said. “We also learn the schemes like the plays and defensive responsibilities through drills such as the defensive seven-onseven.”
Girl’s basketball starts the year with preseason during the fall. During preseason, the players went through a modified version of a military training workout taught by members of the military. They endured grueling drills such as 400 meter sprints and 25 pound military box lifts to prepare for regular
season. The team began its offseason in late February. They have been practicing Monday through Friday during sixth period and sometimes after school when they have access to the main gym. These
practices are not as strenuous as regular season, but the team still trains to stay in shape with both cardio runs and sprints. Basketball practice continues into summer, during which returning players
participate in scrimmages against other schools.
“Our team just tries to improve for the season ahead,” frosh-soph player Katie Hsu said. “My favorite part of offseason practice is the scrimmaging within our own team and against other teams.”
The wrestling team begins offseason practice at the end of March, during which the biggest change is in the style of wrestling they practice. The style used in high school and collegiate competitions is called folkstyle, in which the goal is to pin opponents to the ground using a wrestler’s entire body. Instead of using this during offseason, the team practices greco-style. This style prohibits the use of legs to defend oneself and is slightly less tiring. The players also practice throws, weight lift and compete in optional tournaments to prepare for the upcoming season.
“I like learning new freestyle moves and strengthening skills that I can practice over the summer and use during season,” varsity wrestling member Diego Sheng said.
During offseason for girls volleyball, which starts in November and ends in February, the team does not have access to the gym while the boys’ team plays. Due to this, they focus on conditioning through cardio circuits and ab workouts on the track and in the new weight room. When preseason starts in March, the girls get back on the court and increase practice time to perfect strategy and volleyball skills for the next season. For players, the offseason and preseason serve as opportunities to focus on improving overall fitness in preparation for the coming season.
“Offseason helps keep me in shape and become stronger for next season,” sophomore and junior varsity player Lauren Leung said. “My favorite part is seeing my teammates and continuing to play together unlike sports that don’t have offseason practice.”
