You got it, sports parents – it’s that time of year again. I have three boys and we’re gearing up for three sports this season. Just like school, a little extra practice at home can make all the difference in a young athlete’s performance. Fortunately, a friend of mine happened to write a slew of information online about drills and exercises to help athletes improve their speed and agility.
He’s a personal trainer, as well, and his information can be found here:
Speed and Agility Equipment
Footy Training Drills
Football Agility Training
Basketball Speed and Agility Drills
Sprint Training Schedule
Josh Playing Paintball
Jeremy at the Lacrosse Finals
Ryan, our Field of Dreams Boy
With my oldest son playing competitive paintball, my middle son in lacrosse, and my youngest in Tball, we have a lot of practices, games, and training going on all at once.
As the children entered sports, my husband warned me of the growing level of competition amongst young athletes. He explained that only a very sliver of today’s children will ever play a sport professionally. While I’m not necessarily interested in them playing forever (my hopes run towards college), I know the advantages they may attain in terms of college if they can at least continue to play through high school.
So, we practice…a lot. I should say “they” practice. I drive – to the practices, to fields, to games, across town, and to sporting goods stores. I used to have mixed feelings about the us vs. them mentality and the winners vs. losers chants and taunts. However, the exercise, the social interaction and the life lessons learned playing competitive sports has grown on me.
Wish me luck, however, in trying to keep up with them.