During spring break, many of our teams traveled to Florida to get ready for the upcoming season and enjoy the sunny beaches. However, not every team member attends preseason, since Choate does not pay for each trip and some players have already made spring break plans. Is this a disadvantage? Are the benefits of team-bonding and skill-building worth the time, money, and effort?
According to athletes who attended a spring training session, the main benefit of taking part is forming stronger bonds with teammates. Preseason is the perfect time to meet new players and improve the overall team dynamic. Rower Sam Wendel ’17 commented, “The crew team lives together in one hotel and spends almost every waking moment together. Through this, we become a closer and more amicable team, one that is ready to enjoy huge amounts of success this spring.” Preseason also allows them to get back in the swing of things and row longer pieces. This is critical for the team, since the Connecticut lake that they practice on is frozen through most of March.
The experiences of the crew team mirror those of the baseball team. Jack Fuchs ’18 commented on the benefits of spending time together. “This helps the team bond as a unit off the field so that our chemistry can increase on the field, as well,” he said.
While team bonding is a significant benefit to preseason, it is the physical training that gives a big advantage to everyone that attends. “I think that preseason is extremely beneficial for all teams, as it engages players in a period of intensive practice, allowing them to improve and sharpen their skills more quickly than during the regular season,” water polo player Cecilia Zhou ’17 said. She continued, “Because most teams conduct at least two practices a day during preseason, athletes get much more experience and playing time than usual.” In addition, Captain Venus Law ’16 commented that the intensity of spring training allows newer kids, in particular, to quickly learn the rules of the game and improve their performance. Zhou added that because the preseason group is smaller than an actual team, players receive more individualized feedback from coaches.
So is it all worth it? Athletes seem to say a collective and resounding yes, mainly based on the skill improvement and fun team bonding that takes place during the week. If nothing else, it’s hard to argue against a tropical vacation with friends. Let the spring games begin!
