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Ohio high schools keeping it low-key in summer

OHSAA allows coaches 10 days of summertime instruction, which area leaders think is enough.

Beavercreek soccer coach Steve Popp watches his players run conditioning drills Tuesday, July 21, at the Ankeney Soccer Complex. In the debate over how much practice high school athletes should have during the summer, Popp is like many area coaches that don't want to burn their players out before the regular season ends.

Staff photo by Jan Underwood Beavercreek soccer coach Steve Popp watches his players run conditioning drills Tuesday, July 21, at the Ankeney Soccer Complex. In the debate over how much practice high school athletes should have during the summer, Popp is like many area coaches that don't want to burn their players out before the regular season ends.

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer Updated 3:29 AM Wednesday, July 22, 2009

The fall high school sports season begins in early August, but student-athletes have already been working hard this summer.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association allows coaches 10 days from June 1 through July 31 to instruct their athletes. But there are different theories on how those days should be used.

“One theory is too much too early. You don’t want to burn out midway through your season,” Beavercreek girls soccer coach Steve Popp said. “That’s one of the keys, trying to get your team fit and ready, but also making sure you have a gradual progression and keeping the fire on as long as you can.”

“I always tell my kids to have a summer,” said Oakwood football coach Paul Stone, who gives his players June off — except for conditioning — and uses about seven summer coaching days every year. “Enjoy yourselves, because eventually you have to go to college and get a job.”

Likewise, Springboro football coach Ryan Wilhite uses June for weight training and speed work only. That allows his players to attend college camps, play other sports or just take some time off.

“That is what June, in my opinion, is for,” Wilhite said. “Continue to lift and run, but June needs to be involved in other things. To be honest with you, I don’t know if I can use any more days than 10.

“You’re getting ready to go into August and you’re going to ask your players to be involved six days a week until November, and your coaches are going to work seven days a week. I think we need to get accomplished in those 10 days what we need.”

The OHSAA agrees. Though states such as Indiana have almost unlimited coaching contact through the summer, don’t expect Ohio to join them.

“We’ve heard from coaches that they don’t want to be there every day in the summer,” OHSAA Associate Commissioner Bob Goldring said. “They weren’t hired to be a coach every day of the year like a college coach or professional coach.

“I’m sure there are people out there that feel going with unlimited contact is something we should move toward. I don’t think at this point there is a real push toward that direction.”

Contact this reporter at  (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991,  or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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