During our preseason meeting we discussed new standards we were putting in place for preseason training, and we've had enough questions that we thought it would be helpful to provide some more details.
Overview
Before the start of tryouts on February 27th we are asking each player to have attended a minimum number of morning weights and after school preseason training (kick around) sessions. Uniform kits will be withheld and match play time may be affected if they have not hit these minimums. We will begin tracking these sessions and attendance this week. The players have been given a link where they can log their attendance at each session and we will monitor / tabulate that data as we go through preseason.
Details
Beginning the week they return to school after winter break, there are a total of 25 opportunities to attend morning weight sessions. We are asking they attend at least 19 of those. There are a total of 35 opportunities to attend preseason training sessions, and we are asking that they attend at least 26 of those. The minimums for each type roughly equate to a 75% attendance rate. The weight room sessions are monitored and administered by the school training staff. Morning weight sessions follow a different curriculum then the in-school weights sessions / power lifting. We work closely with coach Craig to ensure these work outs complement each other and do not present a danger to the athletes. If your player has a weights class in school, they are NOT exempt from morning weight sessions. Preseason training sessions are run by student athletes based on a soccer specific curriculum they have been given by the coaching staff that encompasses both conditioning and sport specific training.
Expectations and Exceptions
Preseason is a critical time for us in preparation for what will be a long, arduous season, and, after consulting with Mr. Mattingly, Coach Craig, and a few other head coaches on how they address this issue, we decided to attack preseason a little differently this year. We understand that this is a fairly big shift in our approach to preseason training, but pushing ourselves to the next level will also require the next level of commitment from our athletes.
Given all of that, we know our players are students first and involved in other activities at school. Yes, there are likely some kinks we will need worked out and scenarios that we can't possibly imagine. Please see the list below for guidance on what are and are not considered valid exceptions to preseason training minimums:
- Injury - players with a valid, documented injury will be excused from the minimums but should make every effort to attend sessions and complete whatever training they are cleared to by their physician or other licensed healthcare professional.
- Official school activities or sports - any player who is participating in official school activities or other sports will be given additional leeway to allow for those conflicts when minimums are calculated. Your player is responsible for making sure the coaching staff knows what activity / sport they are involved in, and when they have conflicts. We reserve the right to validate their attendance with activity sponsors or other coaches as necessary.
- Club / ODP - players who are still actively training with their club / ODP teams are allowed to attend those training sessions instead of preseason training with the high school. If your player's club / ODP training schedule will mean that they miss the minimum for preseason training, please let the coaching staff know as soon as possible. They are NOT exempt from morning weights minimums.
- Transfer students - players who transfer in during preseason will be excused from the minimums but should make every effort to attend as many as possible before tryouts.
- Work - players who have after school jobs will not be exempt from meeting their minimums.
- Illness - players who are ill and do not attend school can NOT attend preseason sessions and are not exempt from meeting their minimums. If the illness is chronic or becomes long term, please communicate with the coaching staff; we will make adjustments on a case by case basis.
- Transportation - players who do not drive or do not have reliable transportation will not be exempt from meeting their minimums except in rare, case by case scenarios. Our players are more than happy to help with carpools when needed.
- In the event that a situation preventing your player from meeting their minimums is NOT listed above, you are responsible for communicating with the coaching staff in a timely manner so we can review it with you and determine a course of action. Once we have that information, all decisions made by the coaching staff are final. No exceptions will be made if you or your player fail to notify us of a conflict.
Feedback and Questions
Please feel free to contact Coach Cogswell via email should you have any further questions or concerns. You can reach him here: Email Coach.