Local football teams resume practice after CIF dead period
Local football teams resume practice after CIF dead period
Don’t look now, but it’s almost high school football season. It is still almost a month away but if this past June and July have proven anything, it’s that months don’t seem to have as much staying power as they ought to.
Tuesday was the first serious (read: mandatory) practice for most Valley teams since last fall, following a no-contact period (meaning coaches were barred from contact with players) that this year lasted from July 14 to 28.
These practices kick off that happy-go-lucky season known colloquially as “Hell Week” (though “Hell Weeks” or even “Hell Fortnight” would be more apropos, given its duration) with players getting tossed back on the fryer after a
couple of weeks of CIF-enforced rest and relaxation.
Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning is the order of the day, and the heat of the Valley ensures that these workouts are anything but fun in the sun.
With late afternoon temps hover at or just below 100 degrees and overcast skies, Tuesday’s practices were downright pleasant compared to the typical late-July norm.
Calipatria head coach Mike Swearingen, who’s been at this business for a good minute (40-plus years) was grateful for the relatively benign conditions as his squad went to work at about 3:30 p.m.
He emphasized that the key to a successful first week back was pacing, working towards gradual acclimation.
“Most of our kids ran during the summer and during the dead period, so they’re in good shape,” Swearingen said, “But any of the kids that aren’t, the goal is to carefully — carefully — get them in shape, paying attention, of course, to the heat. … We water break every 10 minutes. … It may not have been that rough of a session, but we’re gonna hydrate, and when we condition, we’re very careful. We keep an eye on ’em so that nobody goes down.
“People say, ‘My God! Why don’t you go early in the morning or late in the evening?’ But we’re gonna be playing in this, so let’s get used to it,” he finished.
Over at Central Union High, Coach David Peña sees these early practices as important for mental, as well as physical conditioning.
“What we’re looking for first is looking at the kids, making sure they’re in shape and making sure they’re conditioned to deal with the heat elements.” Peña said. “Cardiovascular endurance is what’s key here, but also mental toughness. … When you’re hot (and) you’re tired are you going to make mistakes in the game? … This gives us time to get acclimated.”
Coaches also use this period to re-evaluate players and their roles, seeing how their performance differs from spring ball once pads are added to the equation, and tightening up position groups before the season begins in earnest.
The first games of 2019 are slated for Aug. 23. For more in-depth coverage of what to expect once cleats hit the playing field be on the lookout for the annual Imperial Valley Press Football Preview, scheduled to go out on Aug. 21.