Voluntary workouts keep athletes busy

ALBANY — There are a lot of things Albany High junior football player Kiontavis Goodson could be doing this summer. He could be sleeping in, playing video games or staying home to watch TV.

Instead, Goodson wakes up early every day and goes to voluntary workouts.

“I love it,” Goodson said. “Sports keep me going.”

Goodson joins 45 or so Albany High athletes who report to the weight room every Monday through Thursday. After lifting weights, he joins the team for conditioning on the practice field.

The Georgia High School Association forbids high schools from making workouts mandatory during the early summer. But players know the conditioning gives them an advantage on those who choose not to attend.

“If they’re not buying into things during the times that it’s voluntary, they’re going to get behind the eight ball,” Albany High football coach Felton Williams said. “If they wait and decide to come out when it is mandatory, it’s going to be hard to catch up.”

Albany High and most schools across the state have conditioning programs. They will continue throughout the summer with the exception of the July 4 week when the GHSA observes its dead week.

The first day schools can hold mandatory football practices is July 25.

Workouts keep the players in shape and gives them something to do. It’s also a time players use to get stronger.

“It all starts in the weight room,” Goodson said. “You can’t go out on the field and try to dominate when you are not working.”

Senior defensive back/running back Alexander Dawson said the hard work is done during the summer.

“It’s important to go hard against people who can make you better,” Dawson said. “You are only going to get better being out here on the field.”

Williams said he and his staff choose to hold workouts during the mornings because during the afternoons, if the temperature hits 92 degrees or above on the wet bulb meter, the GHSA forbids teams to practice. Then there’s also the threat of afternoon thundershowers.

And since other sports such as the basketball program conducts voluntary workouts every afternoon, it gives athletes the option of attending both.

“The thing I like the most about these voluntary practices is you see who’s dedicated and committed,” Williams said. “Anybody can show up during the fall. This is the grunt work.

‘You see who is disciplined to be here and then to go home and get rest.”