It is the best of times and it is the worst of times. The good news is we get to spend extra time with out loved ones and enjoy the little things in life without the chaotic rush that we call live. However, we are at home with no to little sports to watch on tv and an unsure look as what’s to come. Will there be Fall sports and if there depending on those decisions will there be Winter sports? If so, will they start one time? What does the training and pre-season look like? If no season, what does that mean for the student-athletes?
I spoke with Coach Rick Bell and asked him how COVID-19 would have impacted his team. Here is what Coach Bell said:
“I always broke our season into 3 parts. Preseason from right after Labor Day until the 1st official day of practice. In season, from the 1st day of practice until our last game. Postseason from 1 month after our last game to August 1st.
Our program would have been impacted during the postseason. We would have had to follow all the guidelines. Due to the virus we would not have played in any summer league games, AAU Tournaments or any team camps. We would have used the time with our players to get stronger and in better conditioning. We also would have worked with each player individually to improve their skill sets that are lacking. We would also work with our teams Varsity, JV and Freshman, within the guidelines to again work to improve on our team weaknesses.
As we would be getting ready for the preseason I would continue to plan until I would hear from the WPIAL or PIAA that our season was postponed or canceled. While I know that could be a possibility, I would still have to prepare as if we were going to play.
In the preseason we would lift and condition 3 days a week, M/W/F and continue to work on our individual and team weaknesses 2 days a week, T/R. Again, due to the virus I would not compete against other teams in fall leagues or AAU tournaments.”
With COVID-19 we are in a new normal and changes are impacting us every day. As coaches, we like to have control over what we do on a day-to-day aspect with our teams. Unfortunately, with the virus, that control is out the window and we can only control what we can control.
With that all being said, feel free to follow us on Twitter or friend us on Facebook for up-to-date information from NFHS and PIAA. As always PLEASE be safe!!!
