GO NORTHERN!!!!

 

Here is some advice from Coach Laura Desobry of the Freestate U18 Sharks …

I am a huge advocate for proper recovery and taking care of your bodies. I remember all too well that feeling of "dead legs" during high school season and not knowing how to avoid running my legs into the ground. When I went to college, I learned a lot about taking care of my body after practice and on my days off. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS!!!!

- If you can get into a cold pool, do it! Some high schools have these available. If your legs are hurting, and you do not have access to a cold pool, take a clean plastic trash can and fill it with ice and water, and sit in it. I am serious. Athletes do this and it makes a huge difference. Buy a trash can if you have to. Sit there for approximately 12 minutes. I usually have to bite a towel when I do this (I hate the cold).

- Stretch every single night after a warm shower. Be disciplined about this and you will notice huge gains. Keeping your hamstrings and quads flexible will prevent them from feeling as tired. You will be less likely to lose your speed and quickness as your season progresses. The muscles will be able to "bounce back" better after being depleted. Only stretch when your muscles are warm (a warm shower can do this).

- Get your legs up on the wall! Having the blood flow to the heart while your legs are in the air has similar effects to massage. Holding this position also works on hamstring flexibility.

- Eat your protein. I made this mistake in high school (I was a picky eater). If you do not eat enough protein your muscles will not repair and you will either get injured or "hit a wall." By that point, it will be a lot harder to recover to your maximum potential and you will need to take extended time off to repair your body. Do not get to this point.

Below is a good article about maximizing your recovery periods. This time of year is extremely hard on your bodies. Please please please take care of yourself so that you can make the most of, and enjoy, this busy time in you lives.