Another Lazy Summer? Try Again...

By Nick

Summer is here, and for athletes of all ages, it's typically a time to relax -- heading to the beach with friends, barbecuing, working on your tan -- just generally being lazy and enjoying the time off.

However, the most competitive athletes see the summer as an opportunity to gain an advantage on the rest of the competition. While many (if not most) are busy sleeping on the beach, the best athletes are training and preparing for their upcoming seasons.

Now, there are a variety of ways to stay in shape and improve in the off-season. Having a strict, steady workout routine is a great way to make sure that you are consistently building your strength and endurance, instead of leveling off or even declining. It's important to know that no matter how fast and strong you were last season, you can be faster and stronger.

Perhaps even more importantly, though, is to make sure you don't lose your game shape. Athletes know that when you've been away from game situations for too long, you can lose your edge. It's crucial to be actively participating in as many summer leagues and camps as possible. That way, not only will you be learning new moves and plays to use next season -- you also won't have to step on the field or court in the Fall and say "Wow, I haven't played in months. I am really out of game shape."

There are tons of summer leagues and camps around the country, for all sports. Overtime Media's own Reece Pacheco is a member of the New York Athletic Club's Lacrosse team, and had a game this past weekend which we caught a glimpse of, below (Reece is wearing #24):

Naturally, you're bound to notice that in these leagues and camps, some players are still doing only the bare-minimum to stay in shape and stay competitive during the lazy days of Summer. Mark my words, they will be exposed as "out-of-game-shape", when it comes time to start the season. It's your job to play at a higher level. You have to want it.

Reece knows that if he wants to stay at the top of his game, he needs to be on the lax field and working on his game as often as possible. And he's doing it. Are you going to let the summer breeze by? Or will you take the opportunity to gain that extra edge on everyone else?