Competing this winter may be the ticket to fast times during the spring! The winter indoor season serves as a dress rehearsal for what’s to come outdoors. Many of the country’s top athletes use the indoor season as a training ground for the coming year. Should high school athletes compete in indoor track and field? Absolutely. Many of the state’s top high school track and field programs have affiliated club teams competing during the indoor track season. Here are a few reasons why.
Intentional Practice
Several studies show that ‘intentional practice’, the idea of focusing on specific areas to improve, is much more efficient than creating an atmosphere of repetition. I have coached athletes who competed during indoor and those who didn’t compete during indoor. Though my experience is anecdotal, I saw much more improvement in the outdoor season with the athletes whom competed indoor.
Maintain Fitness
The official start of the high school outdoor track season is about 12 weeks after the cross country state meet. For the endurance runners concluding their cross country season, indoor track is a great way to maintain the fitness they’ve developed during the cross country season. For the other disciplines it’s an opportunity to test their fitness level.
It’s Fun!
Indoor track is usually more low-key and provides a chance to try new events. Indoors, you can be at a meet that has a small turnout and the noise echoes. Fans are right next to you. Indoor racing just has really great energy!
Indoor track and field is not an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) sport. Indoor track and field competitions are governed by either the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) or USA Track and Field (USATF). Register now, practice starts November 27.
Coach Dempster Jackson