Regular Season Nov 8, 2009
|
|
|
|
What is one of the greatest challenges facing high school athletes today and how can they overcome it?
|
Stuart Lang
SOUTH ST. PAUL GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH |
 | I think it'd be the expectations to participate in the off-season while attempting to be a multiple sport athlete. Many athletes participate in up to three sports a year; but with all of the opportunities to play on traveling teams, it makes it extremely difficult to focus on the in-season sport. The way I see it, athletes have two options: They can specialize in one sport and spend their entire off-season working to get better in hopes of achieving their maximum potential in that sport; or they can attempt to play multiple sports with a chance that they may not be successful because of all the time that someone else is choosing to put in. |
|
Dick Ghizoni
HILL-MURRAY BOYS BASKETBALL COACH |
 | One problem coaches are seeing more of regarding athletes are repetitive stress injuries.
More training is not always better. We practice for 90 minutes each day and take that time down to 75 the last two weeks of the regular season. Simply put, overtraining leads to overuse, which leads to an increased chance of injury. In our basketball program we stress this time frame so we as a team are fresh when the season counts most: the playoffs. To overcome this problem, coaches, athletes, trainers, and parents must allow for time off during and after the season for recovery. |
|
Heather Lendway
ST. PAUL HIGHLAND PARK BOYS & GIRLS SWIMMING & DIVING COACH |
 | With busy schedules, our athletes struggle with getting enough sleep and maintaining good nutrition. Our athletes should evaluate their time and come up with a schedule to help them get into a routine, making sleep a priority. They should plan ahead to help avoid times that may get extra busy and stressful. Athletes should make a point to eat breakfast, and carry a water bottle and extra snacks so they have the proper fuel to meet the demands of school and practice. |
|
Laura Slominski
EDINA GIRLS HOCKEY COACH |
 | I think one challenge is overcoming the many peer pressures that they are faced with as a result of being a high school student. Having been a student-athlete myself and having seen many students go through it, the best way I feel this can be overcome is to set goals for yourself in your sport and figure out what you need to do on a day to day basis to accomplish those goals. There are many sacrifices that need to be made if you want to be an elite athlete, so if you are committed to being the best you can be, there is no room for the many things that result from peer pressure. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
