Coaches Corner: Get Ready for a Successful Start to School and the XC Season

From Coach Dietz:

Parents & Student-Athletes with the start of the 2012 school year we want to stress the importance of communication and time management. 

Practices will be after school, but will start at 3:15pm.  Student-athletes please remember:

·      Utilize this time in between the end of the school day and start of practice to complete homework assignments, study or stay after with a teacher to receive help in classes.

·      If you are going to be late to practice due to a makeup test/assignment athletes you MUST BRING A SIGNED NOTE from the teacher you were staying after with.

·      If you are going to miss a practice due to academic or extracurricular conflict you MUST EMAIL Coach Dietz (jdietz3@vt.edu) to notify her of the conflict and get the training regimen to complete on your own.  Please send emails in advance of the day you will be absent.

Student-athletes must demonstrate time management skills to successfully navigate the demands of academics and training.

·      Get enough sleep! This is critical to your recovery…don’t procrastinate your schoolwork and studying to the point where you are getting to bed later and later.  8-9 hours of sleep per night are highly recommended.

·      If/when you are relaxing or watching TV at home utilize this time for your recovery by stretching or foam rolling.  Icing can be included in this as well if your coaches or the athletic trainer has recommended an icing regimen for you.

·      Hydrate!! You will need to drink water throughout the school day, please have a water bottle with you and refill it between classes.

·      Well balanced diet.  Make sure you eat breakfast in the morning as well as lunch.  Packing a small snack for afterschool may be a good idea for some.  We will have a nutrition talk soon at practice.

The demands of being a student-athlete are not easy; it requires planning and dedication with attention to both your academic demands and recovery regimens.  Plan ahead, manage your time wisely, and please communicate with your coaches