Photo by Julio Varquez/ Woodlands Online Sports Staff
Spring marks the season for various high school sports in Texas, including 7-on-7 football, baseball, softball, track and field. During this period, student-athletes can take solace in the generally favorable weather conditions. While Texas weather can be unpredictable, the past month has seen temperatures fluctuate between the 50s and mid-80s, providing a welcome reprieve.
The 7-on-7 football format offers players, including defensive backs, linebackers, safeties, receivers, running backs, quarterbacks, and tight ends, an opportunity to enhance their skills, execution, and timing. As the pace of the game resembles that of a NASCAR race, Spring is a crucial time for athletes to maintain a competitive edge and continue honing their abilities.
Coaches have increasingly turned to the Spring events as a pivotal opportunity to enhance a team’s visibility during the regular season. Since the introduction of 7-on-7 football to Texas high schoolers in 1998, numerous players have moved on to play at the collegiate level and in the NFL. This preparation significantly alleviates the workload for the coaching staff, enabling them to dedicate more time to special teams and other critical aspects of the team.
While baseball, softball, track and field commence in the Spring, the season extends into the summer months, often subjecting athletes to sweltering temperatures exceeding the upper 90s and even reaching triple digits. Athletes who participate in multiple sports frequently discover their involvement enhances their performance in each discipline. Track and field, in particular, is advantageous for many athletes, as it emphasizes agility and speed. Additionally, soccer, which begins in the winter and continues into the Spring, contributes to agility, mobility, quickness, and overall speed improvements.
For numerous head coaches, the arrival of Spring is a welcomed opportunity to develop players and foster team growth.