A very vital factor in keeping a team good at the sport they play is the off season. School sports are seasonal which means they aren’t played all year round. So when a team is in its off season they do extra work to keep in shape until it’s their “on season.” Many things that teams will have open field/gym, after school weights, and team bonding activities. When off season practices aren’t usually required many athletes will attend them anyway so that they are ready to good for there next season.

Many off season activities are over the summer. One off season event that’s open to all athletes over the summer weights program that the school puts on. The boys and girls soccer teams have summer open fields, summer scrimmages, and indoor soccer which goes from November through December. Football has scrimmages, weights, and a camp over the summer. The baseball team gets involved with a summer league. Cross country gets together and runs. Volleyball has camps, open gyms, and some practices over the summer. Since girls basketball is later in the year, some run over the summer, but most of them wait until school starts.

Off season practices and summer get togethers are great for athletes to stay in shape while they aren’t playing sports. The off season keeps players active and ready to play when there sport comes around. Lorin Weaver(12) commented, “It’s hard to do your work in the off season, but it’s super beneficial when you have coaches and players that care.” While the off season isn’t for everyone many of Fair Grove’s varsity athletes are working hard in the off season and doing even more than their coaches suggest.