I've mentioned to more than one parent that I have been impressed, so far, with this team's overall fitness and willingness to take what is thrown at them. We really are starting to get into a groove.
For some, the work load difficulty is simply the result of not being in the water for a long time. For others, the work load may not be "difficult" but is different than what they have been accustomed to which creates a different kind of difficulty. In either case, this group from experienced upperclassman down to less experienced freshman are working hard and pushing themselves hard.
The boys who have been around me for a while know heard me say more than once that "Taper starts today!" The idea is that the work that is done today and everyday builds the base for their end of season taper. This group has taken that to heart, intentionally or unintentionally, and have impressed me so far.
Our first measuring stick will be on Tuesday evening verses West Ottawa. When I say "measuring stick," I mean just that. I love to win. I hate to lose. However, my ultimate goal for dual meets is to measure where our fitness is and what areas we need to focus or refocus on.
TEAM GOALS & PERSONAL GOALS
Tomorrow we will have a short meeting at the beginning of practice to go through Team Goals. Because High School athletics is about so much more than sports, I categorize our team goals into three parts; Social, Spiritual and Athletic. I want to encourage you, as parents, to talk to your athletes about these goals. What do they hope this team becomes socially? What are their expectations about spiritual growth or challenge through this year? What can we strive for from a competitive standpoint.
COMMUNICATION
Please continue to communicate questions you might have. I am committed to ongoing communication but don't want to inundate you with emails. If you follow this blog, it is a great way to stay up to date. This blog gets updated weekly (Saturday or Sunday) and sends emails out the next day. I usually include important information for the upcoming week or two in the blog.
You can also follow HC Aquatics on Facebook and Twitter
THE UPCOMING WEEK
We start our dual meet competitions this week
Tuesday, December 8th - Meet @ West Ottawa (West Ottawa HS South Building, 3600 152nd Ave. Holland, MI 49424).
All other days this week will have a normal practice times.
A LOOK AHEAD
Next week is Exam Week.
ALL PRACTICES will be limited to two hours. so we will wrap up practice each day at 5:30. You are still expected to be at ALL practices and meets. We will limit dryland in our practices for the week. Practices will start 3:30 and we will be done promptly at 5:30 for the swimmers.
The boys who have been around me for a while know heard me say more than once that "Taper starts today!" The idea is that the work that is done today and everyday builds the base for their end of season taper. This group has taken that to heart, intentionally or unintentionally, and have impressed me so far.
Our first measuring stick will be on Tuesday evening verses West Ottawa. When I say "measuring stick," I mean just that. I love to win. I hate to lose. However, my ultimate goal for dual meets is to measure where our fitness is and what areas we need to focus or refocus on.
TEAM GOALS & PERSONAL GOALS
Tomorrow we will have a short meeting at the beginning of practice to go through Team Goals. Because High School athletics is about so much more than sports, I categorize our team goals into three parts; Social, Spiritual and Athletic. I want to encourage you, as parents, to talk to your athletes about these goals. What do they hope this team becomes socially? What are their expectations about spiritual growth or challenge through this year? What can we strive for from a competitive standpoint.
COMMUNICATION
Please continue to communicate questions you might have. I am committed to ongoing communication but don't want to inundate you with emails. If you follow this blog, it is a great way to stay up to date. This blog gets updated weekly (Saturday or Sunday) and sends emails out the next day. I usually include important information for the upcoming week or two in the blog.
You can also follow HC Aquatics on Facebook and Twitter
THE UPCOMING WEEK
We start our dual meet competitions this week
Tuesday, December 8th - Meet @ West Ottawa (West Ottawa HS South Building, 3600 152nd Ave. Holland, MI 49424).
- The meet begins at 6:00pm.
- NOTE: This is a different time than most of our meets.
- Athletes will NOT be bussed to the pool. They must find their own way to the pool.
- Athletes need to be on deck ready for warm up by 4:50.
All other days this week will have a normal practice times.
A LOOK AHEAD
Next week is Exam Week.
ALL PRACTICES will be limited to two hours. so we will wrap up practice each day at 5:30. You are still expected to be at ALL practices and meets. We will limit dryland in our practices for the week. Practices will start 3:30 and we will be done promptly at 5:30 for the swimmers.
During exams your school days are shorter, so use that time off as study time. Study efficiently without the some of the media distractions that some of you often study with. Here is a great article about studying and multitasking that should make you think about how you study. I've highlighted a few things so you don't have to read the whole article.
The time in the pool is a great break from the books and the extra exercise will help your brain think clearer. This isn't the multitasking talked about in the article. In fact research shows that physical exercise is vital to helping you study and cope with the stress of things like exams. Read the first and last section of this.
The time in the pool is a great break from the books and the extra exercise will help your brain think clearer. This isn't the multitasking talked about in the article. In fact research shows that physical exercise is vital to helping you study and cope with the stress of things like exams. Read the first and last section of this.
Tuesday, December 15th - Home Meet vs Otsego - Athletes need to be on deck by 5:20. The meet starts at 6:30
GOOD LUCK SKYLER
As we prepare for our first dual meet of the season, Skyler will be heading out to Atlanta to participate in the USA Junior Nationals meet. Added on to his events will be a time trial in the 1500 meter Free on Sunday. Skyler is trying to make an Olympic Trials cut in that event and has to drop just over 7 seconds in the event.
Good Luck Skyler! We know your hard work will pay off.
CHRISTMAS BREAK
As we look ahead, we need to look at our CHRISTMAS BREAK PRACTICES - We will practice during most of the Christmas break from 8:00-11:00. Remember, these are required practices unless excused by a parent for family vacations. If you have a family vacation planned, please let me know the dates you will be gone.
No comments:
Post a Comment