WOODBURY – As of mid August, the first of Nonnewaug fall sports officially began. But before that, much more preparation was being done, on the turf, court, and field. On any random day amid the ides of summer, fall sports athletes could probably be found practicing on Nonnewaug grounds. Whether it was a scheduled captain’s practice or just spur of the moment, fall athletes were putting in the work despite the heat.
For many athletes who play fall sports, summer is a time to rest. This often makes it harder to start playing again when the time comes. Most Nonnewaug fall sports, though, met throughout the summer with their teams to keep their skills at a high level.
Nonnewaug girls soccer head coach, Adam Brutting, is grateful for summer practices.
“I think that summer practices are really important,” explains Brutting. “[Summer sessions] keep the players active and not having a big gap of time where they don’t practice their individual sports.”
These optional preseason practices served as an important time for team bonding, too.
Nonnewaug JV boys soccer coach, Josh Kornblut, understands the value of summer practices and preseason.
“I think extra practice time and preseason is just a huge time for players to get to know one another and get used to playing with one another,” Kornblut said. “You could have the most talent in the world, but if you don’t know how to play together, then you’re not going to be successful on the field.”
Along with the positive effects it has on team culture, summer practices and preseason greatly impact a team’s performance.
Martin Malaspina, girls volleyball coach, finds that preseason gives teams advantages.
“I think it was really nice to not have to start from scratch this year,” Malaspina explains. “It felt like we could hit the ground running at the beginning of the year because of all the touches they got in the off season, which was great.”
Brutting also sees the benefits of summer practices as these sessions provide invaluable opportunities to learn concepts that may be novel to new team members.
“Preseason itself is extremely important to understand structures, and strategies, and tactics that you’re going into with the team during that season,” notes Brutting. “So those are extremely important.”
On the other hand, preseason can have downsides.
“I think they (fall athletes) can get burnt out,” says Brutting. “ If they’re constantly being asked to practice several times a week, I think that’s tough on them”
In addition, Butkus expresses her feelings about the drawbacks to preseason practices.
“I think it took away from the summer a lot by having to go to practice,” adds Butkus. “For instance, sometimes having to wake up early when you just want to sleep in or wanting to hang out with your friends but you can’t because you have practice.”
This is a challenge for many fall athletes because it makes their summer feel like there is no break and no time to do what you want. Butkus also often felt tired throughout the summer.
“Sometimes I was so tired from the week,” continues Butkus. “ It was exhausting to have to go to them.”
Despite the downsides, preseason and summer practices still had a noticeable impact on each of the teams’s culture and performance. So as long as there is a balance, fall athletes should be able to enjoy their summer while still maintaining their skills.
“Summer’s for vacation,” Butkus says. “It’s for rest, but it’s good to stay in shape.”
In the end, summer sessions are additive, extra and shouldn’t take away from a much needed summer for young athletes.
“Balance is key,” says Kornblut. “It’s important to have time to rest, and as kids, do other things. Your whole world doesn’t need to be sports.”
