The Value of Training

Posted by The Mueller’s on September 08, 2008

‘The softer side of practice’ (Deseret News)

Written By:  Brooke Mueller (14 yrs old)

I used to see the Jazz play and think about how hard they must have to practice.  I thought that there was ‘the games’ and then there were ‘the practices’.  But, I am beginning to see another side to the athletic world.  The ’training’ side of it.

Training before the season of any sport is a very important part of being an athlete. Training always helps to get you “back in the groove” from not doing much in the off season. This year, for high school volleyball conditioning we did weight lifting two days a week and running two days a week. We also played volleyball after the days we ran. For about ten weeks in the early summer mornings this was the schedule. At the time it seemed like a waste of energy to be “preparing” for something that was forever away, but now that the season is going strong I am very glad I went. It is so much easier to go run laps at practice or go hours using tons of energy!

Another thing training helps you do is to stay in shape! It can be very hard to go a few months with no exercise and then go hard into running 7 miles a day! It can also be helpful in things like PE at school. This year I went from running the mile in 9:02 to 7:25. And I owe it all to the running we did at conditioning. Training also makes you feel better in the off season so you don’t feel like you are just lying around and eating all day. You feel refreshed and great!

I never realized that the actual training is more intense than the actual practices and games.  It’s like the ‘behind the scenes’ of sports.  I am curious as to what types of training the Jazz players do during their ‘off season’.  It’s the training that makes enduring the practices much easier.  The better prepared you come for the season, the further your practices can take you.

I know I am young and this is my first real experience with any type of training.  I also know the training I do for volleyball and basketball is not even close to the things great athletes like Deron Williams or Kerri Walsh do, but whatever your athletic ability is, it’s important to always keep in shape and be ready for the unexpected!

4 Comments

justalars on September 08, 2008 said:

Probably most important training cuts down on injuries! If I were to just go run 7 miles after not running for a while I definantely would pull something or have a heart attack. I dont know exactly what the Jazz do for training but I’m guessing weight lifting and vertical jumping would have to be high on the list as well as conditioning.

Mr. Bytheway on September 09, 2008 said:

I wish Karl Malone could be my personal trainer. His offseason workouts were legendary.

Linda McFarland on September 10, 2008 said:

You say that the training that you do is nothing like the great athletes do but if you consider your age and your physical abilities at this point and especially your attitude, I think you are in the same catagory in many ways. The big thing is the realization of what you need to do to become great.

Brooke on September 10, 2008 said:

Linda: thanks for the compliment :]

Mr. Bytheway: are you the one who writes the books?! :] I’ve heard about Karl Malone’s workouts too. They sound tough!

justalars: good point on cutting down on injuries! agreed.

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