Town Crier Editorial Intern
Most people know a great athlete when they see one. They admire that perfect three-point shot, diving touchdown catch and flawless volleyball spike.
But it takes more than sheer talent to succeed in athletics. It also takes hard work. And one of the best times to train is over the summer, according to several local high school coaches.
They say it's a prime opportunity for prep athletes to make significant strides in their respective sports.
"The summer can determine an athlete's success in the following year," said Gary Dinneen, tennis coach at St. Francis High. "If the athlete remains focused and stays motivated, you will see a tremendous boost during their high school season."
Whether it's molding that pitching arm into a gun, or polishing delicate putting skills, athletes can all use the summer as a chance to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to their sports.
"First and foremost, athletes want to prepare themselves to be better athletes in the summer," said St. Francis boys basketball coach Steve Filios. "For the most part, the summer is ideal because it is a lot more flexible; students do not have not worry about fitting in school work with athletics. Athletics becomes the primary focus."
Mountain View High softball coach Ray Malley asserts that one of the greatest gains for student-athletes playing in the summer is the bond they create with their fellow teammates. Softball players, for instance, take part in Travel Ball, a summer league where high school players travel all over the state to sharpen their skills. At the same time, the girls form friendships with players on opposing high school teams.
"Because they are playing with all of their opponents of the high school season, Travel Ball enhances friendships that give a closeness to the whole situation," Malley said.
Summer can also be an outlet for relaxation. Athletes can take a break from the competitiveness and rigors of the school season. This can give them a chance to come back in the fall with greater drive and more determination.
Taking time off to recharge is an idea some coaches support.
"I would like to see everything shut down," said Dan Navarro, Mountain View High football coach. "The summer can really burn you out if you're playing more than one sport. But if you're just playing one sport, you have to be careful that you do not overdo it."
But that doesn't mean stop training all together.
"For football, we have to get our athletes conditioned so they can play when school starts."
As far as training and reaching goals during the summer, the options almost seem limitless. Of course, the training program depends on the sport of choice. For most sports, a combination of running and weight lifting can be beneficial.
"Players can visit their local gym more often in the summer and surround themselves with quality training equipment in excellent facilities," Filios said.
Some players even hire personal trainers to help design a sport-specific fitness program tailored to an athlete's strengths and weaknesses.
"The ideal is to take an adequate assessment of what needs to be worked on and take off from there," Filios said.
Competition during the summer is also a key to improving.
"I believe that the quality of the competition dictates how an athlete will perform in high school," Dinneen said. "And if they can make a transition between what they learn during the off-season to the season, they will definitely hold their own."
The coaches concede that an athlete's improvement depends on how much motivation and self-confidence he or she has. Regardless of the coaching and the equipment, the athletes must be willing to better themselves.
"It's totally up to them," Malley said. "The athletes who personally want to play at a high intensity should play in the summer. Otherwise, it just doesn't work."