While most students spend their summer sleeping in, going on vacation, or hanging out with friends, athletes are already putting in work for the upcoming fall season. Months before the first game, they’re spending hours in the weight room, conditioning, and practicing their skills. Summer may look like a break, but it is actually one of the most important times of the year for athletes. When it comes down to the last three minutes of double overtime, the conditioning they did during the summer can make all the difference. 

Unlike other seasons of high school sports, fall sports give athletes the entire summer to get ready, but what really matters is what those athletes spend their time doing. Obviously, summer is a break from school, so students want to relax, go on vacation, and spend time with friends, but it is important to find a balance between enjoyment and training. 

Throughout the summer, fall sports meet often to start getting ready for their upcoming season. Girls’ soccer specifically has a summer league where they play 11v11 soccer on Monday or Tuesday nights, Tuesday afternoon weightroom and soccer after, then Thursday night conditioning and soccer. Boys’ soccer also plays a 6v6 summer league. 

 For many athletes, summer training is about more than just staying in shape. C. Milton Wright boys’ soccer player Lucas Barker believes the work put in during the offseason can determine how successful a team will be once the season begins. “Summer training is really important because it helps us stay prepared and build chemistry before the season starts,” Barker said. “If we come into preseason already fit and ready to play, we can focus more on improving as a team instead of trying to catch up physically.” Barker also emphasized that the extra work done during the summer gives athletes an advantage when games become physically demanding later in the season. 

The benefits of summer training extend beyond conditioning. Athletes are able to sharpen their skills while strengthening relationships with teammates. By consistently showing up throughout the summer, players create a foundation that helps them perform at a higher level once practices and games officially begin. Teams that train together during the offseason often enter the season more confident and prepared for the challenges ahead. 

Although summer is meant to be a time to relax and enjoy a break from school, athletes understand the importance of staying committed to their sport. Finding a balance between training and enjoying summer can be difficult, but the work put in during those months often pays off when the season arrives. Whether it’s in the weight room, at conditioning, or during team practices, summer training helps athletes prepare for success long before the first game is played.