It is difficult at times, but I am able to participate in overlapping sports- basketball, track, and soccer. Basketball goes into late February so I miss the first couple weeks of track practice while I focus on basketball tournament time.  After taking a week off I get to catch up with the track team before soccer also goes into full swing. Each day I start a normal track practice with the rest of the team at 3:45 and then go to soccer practice (15 minutes late) at 4:30. If you are interested in going out for multiple sports, I will show you just how to survive.

Be committed. The only way this works is by having understanding, flexible coaches and giving 100% of yourself to both teams. Before the sports seasons start everyone who plans on participating in multiple sports at once, as well as the coaches, have to sign a Dual Sport contract. This contract makes you choose a primary sport where in case of conflict you go to your primary sporting event. This keeps the athletes and coaches accountable by respecting the commitments.

Be flexible. The busiest times of the spring is the first week of soccer when we wake up at 5:30 a.m. for practice, go to school all day, have track practice after school, followed by another soccer practice until 6:30 p.m. A few weeks out of the season, the track team will have four meets a week which gives me little time with the soccer team. The only way to get out of it is if I have a soccer game or the track coach doesn’t need me in the lineup and wants to give me a break.

Know your priorities. My coaches are very good about respecting each other and wanting me to be successful in both activities. For example, if State track is coming up I’ll focus on handoffs and saving myself for the races instead of conditioning and playing physically at soccer. Each year I’ve had to sit one game on the bench because my soccer coach cared more about my State track events (rightly so) than the easily won game. You have to prioritize valuable meets and games over unimportant events; coaches are very good at communicating in these situations.

Communicate. Tell your coaches if you had a tough workout, something’s hurting, or if you’re worried about your place on the team; it doesn’t mean they’ll take it easy on you, but they often adjust workouts because they know you’re working double. Here at ADM the coaches have great, ethical philosophies; they care for the athletes, play deserving people, and reward hard workers- they are on your side.

Balance. With competitions or practices every day, you will have your nights full. Take advantage of the time you have to get homework done, study, or relieve stress. Hopefully, you enjoy your teammates enough that your social needs are taken care of during the week.

Work hard. It can be hard to fit in with either team because you’re only there half the time. Sometimes it feels like you are judged for only doing half the workouts, when in reality you are doing two practices. When you are present show you care. With hard work and communication, you can overcome this bump and your teammates will realize you are devoted to them.