By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
The annual two-week summer "dead period" that prohibits high school athletes from participating in official practices may seem perturbing at first to coaches, but across Hopkins County many agreed it's a necessary part of the season's preparation.
Each year, students and coaches break for a two-week period in the summer to step away from their respective sports and relax before reconvening to tackle the arduous pre-season conditioning and preparation. This summer's respite began June 25 and continues through July 9.
Kent Akin, the Hopkins County Central girls cross country coach, said he wants his athletes to take it easy during the period.
"Basically I tell them to enjoy the time off, get away from everything about the sport and just enjoy being a kid," he said. "Our season is so long being four months of constant running, I just tell them to take some time off and get themselves mentally ready."
Storm basketball coach Matt Bell echoed Akin's words almost verbatim.
"Basically we just rest and relax and enjoy being a kid," Bell said. "It gives them time to be with family or hang out and do whatever it is they want to do to have a good time during the summer break."
At Madisonville-North Hopkins, soccer coach John Tichenor is making the transition from the boys program to the girls, but the message remains the same.
Each year, students and coaches break for a two-week period in the summer to step away from their respective sports and relax before reconvening to tackle the arduous pre-season conditioning and preparation. This summer's respite began June 25 and continues through July 9.
Kent Akin, the Hopkins County Central girls cross country coach, said he wants his athletes to take it easy during the period.
"Basically I tell them to enjoy the time off, get away from everything about the sport and just enjoy being a kid," he said. "Our season is so long being four months of constant running, I just tell them to take some time off and get themselves mentally ready."
Storm basketball coach Matt Bell echoed Akin's words almost verbatim.
"Basically we just rest and relax and enjoy being a kid," Bell said. "It gives them time to be with family or hang out and do whatever it is they want to do to have a good time during the summer break."
At Madisonville-North Hopkins, soccer coach John Tichenor is making the transition from the boys program to the girls, but the message remains the same.
"I encourage them to go on vacations, do mission trips, go swimming, all the things they want to do because there's a short window there," Tichenor said. "They had a long school year. They need to do fun stuff to prevent burnout, but at the same time I want them to do some running, do some fitness."
Lady Maroons golf coach Sam Westfall said events like the Greater Owensboro Golf Series help his athletes stay tuned.
"I tell them just to work on their weaknesses," Westfall said. "I think that's the most important thing, especially in golf."
Football coach Will Weaver said he encourages the players to utilize their free memberships to Trover Sports Medicine.
"We talk to them about trying to get over there at least two or three times a week during the dead period just to maintain what we worked hard to build prior to the dead period," Weaver said.
The time off is also welcomed by the coaches, though.
While Weaver relaxed with his family in West Palm Beach, Fla., Bell said he has used the time to take his son to a basketball camp.
"It gives us an opportunity to sit down and really have some good, quality family time," Bell said.
As the Fourth of July weekend nears so does the end of the annual break from practice, and all teams will reconvene with renewed vigor and determination.
"We'll get right back in the gym with our summer hoops camp (July 13-16) and start having individual workouts in the evening," Bell said.
For the Lady Maroon soccer team, a timed two-mile run awaits.
While it lasts though, local student-athletes will be enjoying time away from the fields and courts.
"I always sell this period as a time to kind of get away from football a little bit and to come back fresh because we have a long season ahead of us," Weaver said. "Before you know it we'll be scrimmaging and our goal is to make a good run at the playoffs. I think you can burn your kids out if you don't have a time in the summer where you get away from football a little bit."
Lady Maroons golf coach Sam Westfall said events like the Greater Owensboro Golf Series help his athletes stay tuned.
"I tell them just to work on their weaknesses," Westfall said. "I think that's the most important thing, especially in golf."
Football coach Will Weaver said he encourages the players to utilize their free memberships to Trover Sports Medicine.
"We talk to them about trying to get over there at least two or three times a week during the dead period just to maintain what we worked hard to build prior to the dead period," Weaver said.
The time off is also welcomed by the coaches, though.
While Weaver relaxed with his family in West Palm Beach, Fla., Bell said he has used the time to take his son to a basketball camp.
"It gives us an opportunity to sit down and really have some good, quality family time," Bell said.
As the Fourth of July weekend nears so does the end of the annual break from practice, and all teams will reconvene with renewed vigor and determination.
"We'll get right back in the gym with our summer hoops camp (July 13-16) and start having individual workouts in the evening," Bell said.
For the Lady Maroon soccer team, a timed two-mile run awaits.
While it lasts though, local student-athletes will be enjoying time away from the fields and courts.
"I always sell this period as a time to kind of get away from football a little bit and to come back fresh because we have a long season ahead of us," Weaver said. "Before you know it we'll be scrimmaging and our goal is to make a good run at the playoffs. I think you can burn your kids out if you don't have a time in the summer where you get away from football a little bit."
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