
By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kevin Nickel with Pinnacle Sports Performance does have some concern for the health of athletes if there are two football seasons in a 12-month period, as it looks like will be the case for some major college conferences and the NJCAA.
"A certain amount of caution needs to be taken when we talk about splitting up or multiplying the games or having multiple seasons," Nickel said. "You know, I'm concerned, a lot of the Division I schools are going to have really qualified medical staff and strength and conditioning staff, athletic trainers that are going to help keep an eye on all of the athletes and their development. Everybody's kind of learning as they go on this one."
It's striking the balance between the desire to improve skills and the risk of overuse injuries.
"Athletes, of course, always want to play," Nickel said. "They're always going to want to play. A lot of a coach's job and my job as a strength and conditioning coach here at Pinnacle Sports Performance is kind of harnessing that enthusiasm, knowing when to push, when to hold back and try to get that balance to develop them athletically and appropriately."
Some major college conferences have games this weekend, while others have not rescheduled their seasons as yet. NJCAA competition is slated for after the first of the year.