Drew Meerveld
Special to CFL.ca
Following a Saturday evening practice many of the guys stuck around in the locker room waiting for the official dress roster to be posted. When the piece of paper was taped to the wall it marked the official end of a very long off-season.
Two weeks ago, more than 90 young men reported to training camp and last night 45 of them got the news that they would be suiting up under the bright lights on Monday night. It sounds cliché to say that you never take for granted the opportunity to play university football, but a careful observer would have noticed even the veterans passing by glancing at the list for affirmation.
For those who are lucky enough to dress, the day before the game means one additional practice. It’s an hour long mid-morning walk through of offence plays, defensive schemes and special teams review. There are some practices within the course of a season which are difficult to motivate oneself for but the “day-befores” are filled with excitement and anticipation. A short motivational speech from the coaching staff is the last item on the agenda before the players make their separate ways.
The day before routine:
The next 24 hours are yours to do what you please but as you get older a routine begins to develop.
A long stretch session with teammates is not uncommon following practice. Watching a movie and writing this blog in part of a concerted effort to spend the rest of the day off my feet (the recovery time is certainly welcome). A church service in the afternoon helps me gain some perspective on the whole thing and then its back home for a couple meals that are heavy on the carbs, light on the sugars.
In the evening I spend about an hour visualizing every play to its successful completion, listening to the quarterback’s call, hearing the fans and feeling the excitement of the moment in my mind’s eye. It is something that when done right can be extremely beneficial – the goal of course is that when I step on the field tomorrow evening and line up for the first play of the game I have already been there the night before.
Then it’s off to bed. However, if the past is any indication, I don’t expect sleep tonight will come all too easily.
For more information on the Varsity Blues football team you can visit their website at VarsityBlues.ca.
