Casco Bay Sports | Portland Maine Sports Leagues and Events

Join us on Wednesday for Indoor Soccer on the beautiful Turf in Gorham! Space left for teams & Individuals.  Contact Rich@cascobaysports.com

Registration is open for Spring Sunday & Weeknight Coed and Men's Softball.  Space is limited so be sure to submit your deposit to get your team into the action!  

Where is the Athleticism?
Where have all the athletes gone? At first that may seem like a very naïve statement, but lets examine it further. Look beyond the numbers, the spectacular performances at the elite levels of sport. Injuries are skyrocketing. What is missing? It is athleticism. We know it when we see it! We talk about it, but do we know how to develop it? What is it? Lets begin by defining the term. Athleticism is the ability to execute athletic movements (Run, Jump, Throw, Pull, Push, Extend, Bend et.) at optimum speed with precision, style and grace. It is certainly not a very complicated definition. It is easy to see when someone has it. It is certainly inherent in the successful performer in any sport. My observation is that in sport, even though performance standards continue to skyrocket we are seeing less and less athleticism, especially at the developmental levels. With increased early specialization and an emphasis on specificity we have sacrificed overall athleticism.
Sometimes we are lead to believe it is an either-or proposition. Produce a better athlete or produce a better sport player with refined specific skills. Ultimately the goal is to produce the best possible adaptable athlete who plays a particular sport. In this case not only will performance be enhanced, but injuries will be reduced.
Some of the downside is the apparent conflict in terms of time and effort. With the same amount of training time available is it possible to train to improve athleticism without sacrificing specific skill training? First of all we need to eliminate the distinction, the two are not mutually exclusive. The two are co-dependent and intertwined, one enhances the other. There is time within the context of the existing training structure to fit in athleticism components. It just needs to be made a priority.

Click below to see if your team was nominated for a Caspy!  Even if your team wasn't this event is a great way to re-cap the new year with friends. DJ, Food, and Cash Bar, plus some fantastic entertainment.  Be sure to get your tickets by next Friday the 20th for the discount. 

Caspy Awards Nomination List