The second day of football practice is drawing to an end at Rainier High School. There’s just one remaining item on head coach Terry Shaw’s agenda – conditioning.
A handful of players groan as Shaw spaces his players out to form a giant circle around him. A variety of agility drills follow.
“No one said this was going to be fun,” Shaw yells out.
Ian Russell is moments away from proving his coach wrong.
Shaw barks out an instruction and the players go to the up position of a push up and hold.
“Ian,” Shaw’s voice booms from the center of the circle. “You’re up.”
Russell knows what to do. The senior springs to his feet and begins to sprint around the circle. His knees go high as he hurdles his teammates one-by-one. The moment one player jumps over another, the player in the down position stands up and starts the process himself.
This continues until every player has made one successful lap and returns to their original position. Cue the trembling in the arms, the burning in the legs.
Summer vacation is officially over. Now the work begins.
It’s hot out. Some players grit their teeth as they power through the drill. Russell, however, has a giant grin on his face during the entire ordeal. Odds are the smile has been there all day.
Flexbone Association 
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