My Second First Practice Soaking in the warmth of the sun, the smell of freshly mowed grass, the serene rhythm of my cleats against the track, I knew I was back to my home away from home. The Lacrosse field has always been my oasis for many reasons; ones that my parents do not understand, but other collegial athletes or sports enthusiasts would.
It is where I get to release my stress through exercise, and where I get to play the sport I love with the people I love. While going through my mental checklist of mouth guard, water, running shoes, sunscreen, and lastly my lacrosse stick, I come to the conclusion that I am full prepared and ready to “lax. ” It is funny how as I walk up to the bench I see other freshman who resembled me on my first day. Confused, intimidated, and not knowing where to go, and what to think, I was not too long ago in the very same position.
Thinking back that a year ago, it was at my first day of lacrosse practice, and I had no idea what was to happen on a division one-club team in college. Unlike last year, I now come to practice being prepared, and actually being the one leading practice with my friends and fellow teammates. Almost anyone knows who plays a sport how physically and mentally demanding it is. However, as my coach walks up to the field, I realize even more how much we have to step it up this season compared to last.
First of all, we all have a mandatory duty to arrive a half and hour early to practice to run an extra warm up mile, run sprints to end each practice, and with so many newcomers we cannot afford to fool around. Our coach has made it crystal clear to us that she wants us to be strong competitor amongst our league. As well, as returners to the team we have an additional responsibility to mentor the first years and teach them how to train hard even outside of our practices.
The Term Paper on Sport Rituals
I am a super huge basketball fan. During this time of the year, I will watch games of National Basketball Association (NBA) several times a week. I also suddenly become an active commenter in the online basketball forums, cybertalking about the dunks and three-pointers that I have never attempted and judge over trades that I could never have had a hand in from time to time. These activities around ...
Last year, my first day of practice consisted of not knowing where practice was, who anyone was on the team, and even worse, I was completely out of shape. It was harder for me than many other freshmen to acclimate due to my mere one year of lacrosse experience. However, spur of the moment, I decided that lacrosse would be the ideal extracurricular even if I did not know anyone else who was also playing. Coming from a tight-knit High school Golf and Lacrosse team, having people I felt comfortable with on my team was a main priority.
Now when I come to practice, I do not view my teammates as other lacrosse players on the same team, but my family who have gone through more physical and emotional experiences with me than some of my own best friends. We all recognize that between the tasking physical and mental discipline, time management, and intensities that come with playing lacrosse, it all becomes worth it the minute we step on the field. When walking on the Beaujolais Sonoma field for practice, it seems more familiar to me than even my own dorm.
I always have the sense of pride that I play for such an awesome team filled with individuals that I have respect on and off the field. Like all great collegiate sports teams we travel together, lose together, win together, but would not trade the experience for anything else. For that, I am grateful to have the opportunity to play a sport that I enjoy for everything that it is, and I am reminded of that every time I step on the field to attend practice.
