Athletes Eye the Future

Our children had the rug pulled out from under them in March when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of all youth and high school sporting activities in the area.

It was a tough blow for kids involved in sports. The annual symmetry of the sports’ seasons was disrupted and, with that, the predictability of practice and play.

Officials remain optimistic that playing fields and gymnasiums will soon be filled with young people again but, in the meantime, parents can continue to foster a love of athletics in their children, especially important at a time when many young sports friends find it difficult to adjust to a new normal.

Anne MacNeil, athletic director/middle school athletic coordinator for Regional School District 1 in Falls Village, believes it is important for children to remain active during the summer. “The first reason is that physical activity is great for everyone’s mental health,” she said. “It releases endorphins which help with our moods. With so much of our students’ day being spent in front of screens, physical activity offers everyone a great break.

“Secondly, youngsters, especially student-athletes, should continue to be active to prepare for the time when interscholastic and recreational sports resume,” she continued. “When sports resume, we need to make sure all our student athletes take the appropriate time to acclimate to activity.”

Some students tried to carry on with sports conditioning even as the world came crashing down around them. Keaten Terrell, a junior at Housatonic and a member of the school’s baseball team, said, “in the beginning of the lockdown, some teammates got together to take batting practice but many parents became less willing to let their kids go out and play. Then it became mainly just going down to the field with my dad and possibly one other friend to get some swings in.”

In such uncertain times, what can families do to maintain physical conditioning and a passion for sports? Athletes and their families have to rely on their own initiative, establishing a well-rounded routine for exercise, nutrition and sleep that leaves the athlete feeling more in control while staying fit and healthy.

But as most student athletes do not have access to the training equipment available at their schools, creativity will be needed. MacNeil said parents can engage their children in formal physical activity such as kicking a soccer ball, throwing a ball or bouncing a basketball. Working out—even establishing a place to exercise in the basement or garage—can promote conditioning and let the athlete practice sport-specific skills. Exercise apps can also be employed to help them focus on strength, flexibility, coordination and the like.

MacNeil said even informal play—taking a walk, designing an obstacle course, scavenger hunts and the like can engage the whole family. But, she cautioned, as with all activities, the guidelines set forth by Governor Ned Lamont should be followed.

Further care should be taken so that athletes, working out alone without the guidance of a coach, do not over-extend. Displaced student-athletes should be attuned to their bodies to avoid injuries.

COVID-19 has forced people apart but social media still allows young people to communicate. Athletes and coaches have all kinds of venues to share training tips, to support each other and reinforce the bond between players. Still it is easy to lose motivation when there is no structure within which to work so setting individual benchmarks and tracking progress can help to maintain enthusiasm.

“At this time, Monument Mountain Regional High School (in Great Barrington) is going forward with plans to start the fall athletic season as usual in August,” said Karl Zigmund, director of athletics and co-curricular programs for Berkshire Hills Regional School District. “It is important that our student athletes stay actively involved in sporting activities. Beside the many benefits of exercise to the wellness of our students, we also want them to be ready to start the upcoming season.”

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Covid-19 task force is formulating best practices and guidelines for schools planning to hold summer practice sessions for their teams. The Monument Mountain Wellness Initiative can also be contacted about safe ways to stay active this summer. They are currently sponsoring a wellness activity for students with funds being raised for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition.

Zigmund said there are certain sports, such as golf, that have set guidelines approved by the state but otherwise, “I would suggest students follow the guidelines set out by the state.”

He added, “Try to follow social distancing rules, avoid larger groups gathering at one time—it’s a lot of the same common-sense stuff that we’ve all been trying to do here. I think there will be lots more coming from the MIAA.”

Organized sports may be on hold for the time being but parents can use the pandemic as a teaching opportunity about playing sports in a socially safe way and encourage activity of any kind to keep their kids physically and mentally active until the day when we return to our old normal.