The girls’ soccer team is getting a head start on their season with conditioning practices. They will be held Tuesday through Thursday, after school, from 3:30 to 4:30 until Soccer tryouts Feb. 26. The practices are open to all students, even if they have no intentions of trying out for soccer.

“We just do a variety of drills that focus on strength and stamina. Our drills vary from core strengthening, a lot of lower body strengthening and mixed running drills,” said Susan Putnam, head coach.

Conditioning, at its core, is made to get people in shape. The soccer coaches are doing this by using CrossFit exercises so that they don’t have to run the whole time.

“We start off by running a lap or two and then we stretch and then, by that time, coach is in the school. Sometimes we do things for time, like we have eight minutes to do this objective and it’s how many times we can get it, or you do speed. Like you run a mile and how fast you can,” said Meg Putnam,10.

The workouts are made to get the girls working hard, while maintaining an element of fun. According to M. Putnam, who has been playing soccer for SHHS for the two years she has been here, Coach Putnam comes in to conditioning knowing and telling the girls that conditioning is hard and not as much fun as playing soccer.

“I try to make it fun, as fun as conditioning can be, by incorporating different games such as relays, scavenger hunts and always a dance competition,” said S. Putnam

Conditioning practices are there in hopes that the girls will be able to get in shape before the season starts. Conditioning allow them to work on skills that will improve their playing when they are able to get out on the field and play.

“[Conditioning] helps me build strength and stay in shape even when I’m not doing other stuff,” said, Sofia Burnett, 9.