A couple things have changed in our lives these past couple weeks ... number 1, school is back in session for all our kids now, and number 2, our practice start times have moved up to 5:30p.
These are both difficult adjustments.
With school back in session, our kids now go from 90% of their day unstructured, to 90% structured.
They have specific times and places to be throughout the day in school, and then they have homework to get done when they get home, and then they head straight to a very tight, and structured practice, then head home, and probably do a bit more homework before going to bed at night, and start the whole cycle over again in the morning.
Does that kind of day sound familiar?
It's probably not much different from your typical adult day. And we're talking about 8- and 9-year olds here.
I'm sure it's not evident yet, but because of this, I will work to slowly start backing off of the hollering a bit in an effort to add a little more fun back into their day. As coaches, we will all get better at this over time.
On your end, you can help by focusing at home on rest, recovery and diet, and making sure that your Hornet gets the proper amount of each ... the right bed time, the right foods, plenty of water and time to recover, as best as you can, from a long day of school and football.
Try to have healthy snacks for them when they get home ... beleive me, if you're ever eaten lunch at a school cafeteria at 11:15am, it's a long time, and a light load on your belly between then and when the bus drops you off. Help re-charge their minds and bodies.
Finally, if they have a light day of homework, and no chores around the house, make sure they get out to play with other kids and have fun (goofy play time, not just more football) ... they get plenty of football and they get plenty of structure with us and in school, so make sure they have some fun in between, and the football and school will go easier as well.
All that's important because it is a long season, and we want to keep them fresh throughout.
