In an effort to stay in shape during the pandemic, athletes have been trying to maintain their fitness over Zoom calls.
Athletic director Albert Lim oversees 118 students during sixth period Athletic Conditioning. The students in his class exercise two to three days every week. However, Lim clarifies that there are other athletic conditioning teachers, facilitating variety in what the students do.
“It would vary from sport to sport and the teacher that is leading that class,” Lim said. “Anywhere from daily exercises to learning their playbook to homework help.”
In addition, coaches of some sports assign additional workouts to athletes for them to complete on their own time. This can include running assignments where the athletes have to run a certain distance and track their speed using the Nike Run Club app, or YouTube workouts.
However, Lim said hat coaches have been facing some challenges with providing adequate feedback during this embodiment of practice.
“When a coach cannot see a student performing an exercise, it is impossible to help correct errors,” said Lim. “ Live versus online, there is a difference in the quality of coaching one [athletes] receives.”
Lim said that he told his students that it is very important to exercise before their season in order to avoid injury. Professional athletes have suffered a record high number of injuries at the start of this season, presumably due to lack of preparation during quarantine.
Lim said that students have also had to make many accommodations in order to conduct practice over Zoom.
“Finding room, having to use other tech tools such as their phones to have a video call while having adequate space, and learning to be vulnerable in front of a camera,” said Lim.
Depending on the student’s situation, they typically keep their camera on while exercising so the coach can both take attendance and evaluate their form during exercise
High schools in the district are currently working on a detailed plan for athletes to return to practice following Los Angeles County Health Department’s guidelines, but for now, coaches are making the best of the situation.
“It is what it is,” Lim said. “As a teacher, I can only control so much.”