Shaping up

Bryce Alderton

Football players vying for a spot on Corona del Mar’s varsity team

can expect more than just running as the first of three days of

conditioning drills began Wednesday at Corona del Mar High.

Under the auspices of head coach Dick Freeman, who was impressed

at the shape players, who do not wear pads for the three days of

conditioning, came to practice in, the day began with a three-hour

morning session starting at 8:30. In it quarterbacks worked on

passing drills and linemen lifted weights.

Players got a two-and-a-half-hour break for lunch before resuming

with meetings at 2:30 p.m. for a half-hour before hitting the field

until 5:30.

Defenders worked on stopping a screen or draw in the afternoon, as

well as improving their footwork and agility, Freeman said.

“We did some pass-drop coverage with the backs and went through

other coverages and adjustments,” Freeman said. “Since you can’t hit

there’s not a whole lot of things you can do.”

Two conditioning drills Freeman had players run included a 60-yard

shuttle, where players ran back and forth in a 10-yard area six times. Lineman have to complete the drill in 18 seconds or under

while backs must complete it in 15 seconds or under.

“It’s not a sprint but a pretty good pace to build up lactic

acid,” Freeman said.

In the afternoon Wednesday Freeman had players run from the back

of one end zone down the field to the back of the opposite end zone,

then turn and run across the back of the end zone. They repeat this

process six times.

In all Freeman estimates players run 180 yards total for one

drill, but he only wants them sprinting the final 50 yards.

“The last 50 yards is a change in speed and when they get to the

other corner (of the end zone) they jog up the sideline so there’s no

actual stopping at any time,” Freeman said. “We get an idea of how

conditioned they are without hurting them too bad. We find out who is

in shape.”

Freeman is excited to have 20 seniors returning to the squad. He

was also impressed with sophomore receivers Kevin and Tom Welch and

sophomore tight end Tyler Lance.

“They are a real committed group and all the guys have worked

really hard and we’re getting great leadership,” said Freeman of the

last three weeks of summer workouts. “A lot of guys are in good

condition. We give them something that they’re supposed to be doing

but we can’t watch everybody. This group came in and worked hard.”

Corona del Mar begins practicing in pads Monday, keeping to a

similar schedule as this week’s conditioning drills.