WOODBURY- What separates good athletes from great ones? Usually it’s not just what athletes do during practice, the season or on game day. It is the work they put in when no one’s watching. 

During the off season, athletes push themselves from runs to extra drills. It’s the extra practice they do during off season to help lay out the foundation for success when the season comes around. Whether it’s joining a club team or just practicing by yourself it’s about the effort you put in off the field that separates good athletes from great ones.

Most athletes want to improve and get better but it’s hard to make time to practice extra when you also have school. 

“I will admit it is hard to balance keeping up,” said Payton Brown, a sophomore field hockey player. “But I always make sure I do it because I know it will pay off in the end.” 

Joining club sports is a popular way to practice in the off season as many are surrounded by players at, or above, their skill level. 

“Playing club lacrosse is probably the best decision I could have made for myself,” said junior NHS lacrosse player Jadyn Heron. “It’s helped improve my skills, grow as a player, and gain connections with people. Constantly having a stick in my hand and playing with players that are so much better than me make me a better player.”

“When I practice in the off-season I think I do improve bit by bit because keeping the work up to date and building each aspect and piece of field hockey can increase your playing immensely,” said Brown. “Just from 8th grade to freshmen and then to sophomore, I’ve noticed big changes and opportunities I get while playing”

As athletes practice before the season starts, many see improvements which can help them gain opportunities like getting into varsity or being on the starting lineup. 

“In the off season for field hockey I sign up for different clinics like Berkshire Mayhem and I usually attend captains practices in the summer,” said Heron. “When I’m trying to get better at a skill, going to the turf and practicing a little goes a long way.” 

“In the off-season I usually play hockey for the school team,” said Brown, “whenever I can, and I always practice the fundamentals and basics of field hockey that build the basis for next year’s season.” 

By working on the basics, it can build up skills for the next season. 

“I play club lacrosse in the off season,” Heron says. “We have practices twice a week and tournaments on the weekends. Putting in a little extra work goes a long way.”