The BHS football team at practice
by Taylor Williams
You have just finished an intense practice and you’re tired and ready to lay down for a much-needed nap. As soon as you start to think that practice is over, you remember that you have 10 more minutes left to condition. As you make your way back over to start conditioning, you may be wondering what the point is. Here is your answer.
Conditioning is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. “Careers in Sports, Fitness, and Exercise” says that a conditioning coach’s primary goal is to focus on speed, strength, and power. Their secondary goal is to reduce the risk of athletic injuries.
“Core is developed in the weight room and through other aspects of practice,” said Craig Pritchett, head coach of the BHS football team. “Players need to be in shape to be able to control their breathing, rapidly recover from a demanding game, and focus when they are tired.”
Research has shown that the more running you do, the faster you will become, the more your stamina will build, and you will become more in shape, which are important factors when playing a sport.
Seniors Jeremy Dodson, Raymond Montandon and Olin Williams all agreed that drills with the most running, such as sprints, CrossFit workouts, or running long distance, were the most effective drills for them. They all agreed that exercise and drills should be regular.
“You should exercise every day,” Pritchett said. “Conditioning should not be used as punishment. When it is, it seems to give the wrong message about it. Conditioning is not a bad thing. It is another tool to equip players for success on and off the field. Most of our conditioning is done during the drills we have in practice.”