School is still out. Sweat is dripping down the athletes’ faces. The sun bears down on them as they engage in a scrimmage.

Athletes for fall sports practiced over the summer to not only prepare for the current fall season, but to also work on teamwork.

According to senior and boys varsity soccer captain Elijah Elmore, captains’ practices occur during the summer, when the captains lead the practice instead of the coach.

Senior and cross country captain Emma Larrabee explained the focus of summer practices.

“It’s as much about team building and getting to know who you will be with on the team as it is about getting in shape and getting ready for the season,” Larrabee said.

Elmore explained how summer practices are mainly for athletes to accustom themselves again to playing soccer.

“Practices are less structured, with more playing and going to the goal,” Elmore said. “It’s not any drills; it’s more of some pickup soccer.”

Junior Isaac Dassel, on junior varsity football, explained some of the benefits of having practices over the summer.

“I think they are really important,” Dassel said. “They help get you in shape so that you’re ready to play in the regular season.”

Similarly, Larrabee sees the benefit of summer practices to the cross country team.

“I think for running, especially, they’re really important, because how much you run over the summer directly affects how good the season is going to be,” Larrabee said. “It makes a big difference.”

According to Dassel, despite the lack of team bonding in the JV football, there are still positives to summer practices

“But just having the team there works to get us together,” Dassel said.

Elmore said that he would prefer having practices of a similar type during the school year.

“I think that it would be a good idea to have maybe one captains’ practice a week, and to give the team a break from the structured practice,” Elmore said.  “It would be a day where we could have a little more fun, and fewer strategy-oriented practices.”

Dassel said scrimmages would not be necessary during the school year. He says that by the time the season starts, the team is ready.

Elmore elaborated on the benefits that summer practices provide.

“I think captain’s practices are extremely important, since they allow the team to get to know each other, and have fun while they’re doing it,” Elmore said.