One of the most difficult things for athletes, especially student athletes, to grasp is the concept of a slow ramp up into athletic activity. Odds are, the athletic level students will be performing at in September will be higher than what they were doing in July and August. A common issue that can come from this is pulled muscles and sprains due to lost flexibility. Even athletes that keep up with physical activity during the offseason can see issues when ramping back up to their mid-season practice schedule. Some of the most important exercises you can do towards the end of the summer season are cardio, endurance, and flexibility training. 

It is important that students are aware that they might not be at the same level they ended the season on at the first day of practice. It is important to take those warm-up practices slow. The last thing anyone wants is an injury before the first game of the season. But one thing students can do to prepare is to working on their endurance to make sure they have the energy for those first few weeks of practice as well as work on flexibility and mobility. That said, July and August often have the highest temperatures of the summer. it is important to make sure kids are either training indoors using cardio equipment like treadmills and stationary bikes, or staying hydrated and going a little slower than they might be used to, to prevent issues with overheating.