We kicked off the Fall 2020 (yes, 2020!) season on Saturday, 2/27.  It was awesome to see all the players again and really looking forward to a competitive, safe, and fun season.  It is a short season with operational changes from time to time to be expected so please stay close to email, text, Twitter for updates as things can change weekly.  Be sure to fill out the Covid-19 player survey each day prior to leaving the house to practice or a game.  This is required.  Wear a mask at all times on campus and of course if you don't feel well, for any reason, text the coaches and it is preferred you stay home.  Safety comes first. 

Have a great season, and let's hope for no rain!  

Coach Gottlieb

Finally!  Fall weather is upon us, but with that,comes a different approach athletes need to take to stay healthy and injury-free.  

As an athlete, I learned years ago that when colder weather hits, it usually hits quickly and our bodies need time to adapt.  This applies to all outdoor Fall sports and neglecting to pay attention to the changing weather conditions can lead to problems.  

So, what should we all be thinking about?  Some of the more obvious tactics would be to take more time warming up and paying attention to what our bodies are telling us. Soccer athletes need more time because they use quick-twitch muscle fibers, using bursts of speed and sharp cuts and pivots on the pitch.  They also activate their quads and hips through the strong kicking motion.  It's a soccer player's reality that hamstrings and quads are the first to get injured when cold weather hits.  I don't want to even get into the fact that female athletes are significantly more prone to ACL or other knee injuries, so proper warmup, good flexibility and proper footwear is key.

We will spend time as a program going over cold weather injury prevention at all upcoming practices and games.  And don't forget, even though it may be getting cooler out, hydration is still as important as when it was hot.

See you on the pitch!

Staying 100% healthy over the Fall sports season is always a challenge.  More stress. Late games. Homework. Less sleep.  Different eating schedules.  Early cold and flu season sometimes hits crowded schools hard too.  So what can you do to control what you can?  It starts with taking the best care of your body as possible.  Here are a few tips:

Wash your hands!  One of best ways to prevent getting sick at the start of the new school year is to wash hands regularly and use hand gels.

Hydrate.  Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.  It's too easy when inside most of the day to forget to drink.  You don't have to be thirsty to drink.

Sleep.  This is likely the #1 best tip.  If you do not sleep enough, you are not recovering well and your brain isn't functioning at optimal levels during the day.  Ideally 7-8 hours minimally. 

Eat healthy.  Fuel your body with as much natural food as possible.  Avoid processed foods and eat fresh fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, etc.  Snack on healthy food like trail mix, protein bars (low sugar/low fat) and avoid soda!  

Get a foam roller.  Every athlete should have this very inexpensive recovery tool at home.

Finally, if you are feeling sick, in pain or just feel run down, talk to your coach. Sitting out a practice or two won't hurt you and can only help you get back on your feet sooner.  

Fall 2020 Virtual Sports Registration

The high school interscholastic athletics virtual program is available to all students at the high school level - no cuts. The high school virtual athletics season consists of a minimum of three student-athlete and coach engagement sessions per week (corollary sports will meet two times per week), over the course of five weeks. The fall virtual season is scheduled to occur between September 14 – October 16, 2020.

All students participating in the fall virtual season, as part of the MCPS interscholastic athletics program, must complete the online registration process. Registration is done electronically through the Rockville Athletics Registration form:  https://forms.gle/z61UGGdKfNJ1Ki8L9 which is also posted on the school’s athletics website. Students and parents/guardians who have difficulty with registration should contact the sport specific coach or Athletic Director Mike Hayes at Michael_S_Hayes@mcpsmd.org

We are excited to provide your student with the greatest education-based virtual athletics season during such unprecedented times.

We Can, We Will, We Raise!!!

After Labor Day practice (Monday, 9am-10:30am @ RHS) practices will be at Wood MS Lower Field (3:30-5:15pm) daily with the exception of game days. Please be at the fields, getting gear on by 3:15pm.  Captains will begin warm- up promptly at 3:30pm. 

NOTE: For the first day of school, 9/3, we will start practice 15 minutes later to allow extra time on day 1 of school.  PRACTICE 3:45-5:30 ON TUESDAY ONLY.  BE AT WOOD AT 3:30 READY TO BEGIN WARMUP AT 3:45PM. Then back to regular schedule 9/4.  

Attendance at school the day of the event is mandatory to participate in practice or games.  Reports are sent to coaches daily. 

All updates will first be posted to Twitter.  Email's will not be sent out.  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/home

August 26: Scrimmage vs Gaithersburg: NO JV GAME.  Varsity 5:30pm (wear black/home jersey & arrive at 4:45pm) 

 **(Parent Meeting 7pm after Varsity game in bleachers)

August 27: 6-8PM.  Pictures at 6pm.  Film session in teacher's lounge after pictures (around 6:30). Out to field for practice (both teams) until 8pm.  

August 28: 6-8pm at Wood. (Captains Vote)

August 29: Springbrook Scrimmage (home). JV 4:45 (arrive 3:45), Varsity 6:00. 

Off Aug 30-Sept 1

Labor Day: Mandatory practice 9am-10:30am RHS

Please note, this information is subject to change and it is your responsibility to check Twitter and email for changes due to weather, etc. Some days have different start/end times and different fields.  Plan to be 15 minutes early to each activity to get gear on and be ready to start.  Location note:  August evening sessions will be at Wood MS lower field, or RHS Stadium (see below) and morning workouts will be at RHS Track (bring running shoes).  After Labor Day, practices will be at Wood MS Lower Field (3:30-5:15pm).  Please be at the fields, getting gear on by 3:15pm.  Captains will begin warm- up promptly at 3:30pm.

*MANDATORY PARENTS MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 26 AT 7PM AFTER SCRIMMAGE*

August 24 (Saturday) GK only 9am-10:30am at RHS

August 26: Scrimmage vs Gaithersburg: NO JV GAME.  Varsity 5:30pm (wear black/home jersey & arrive at 4:45pm) 

 **(Parent Meeting 7pm after Varsity game)

August 27: 6-8PM.  FILM SESSION IN COACH LEIDL'S ROOM AFTER TEAM PICTURES AT 6PM (Cafeteria)

August 28: 6-8pm at Wood (Captains Vote)

August 29: Springbrook Scrimmage (home). JV 4:45 (arrive 3:45), Varsity 6:00. 

Off Aug 30-Sept 1

Labor Day: Mandatory practice 9am-10:30am RHS

Note: Both teams will start warmups at practices together, then split into teams for practice time.

Position Purpose/Summary: Be a strong leader by example (one of the hardest workers on the team, displaying a high level of commitment, focus, intensity, attitude, and effort) a strong vocal leader with good communication skills (one who will encourage, support, and positively hold all teammates accountable).

The primary purpose of the TWO TEAM CAPTAINS will be to positively influence teammates on-and-off the field. The team captain selection is NOT a popularity contest, but a selection of 2 leaders, regardless of class. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The TEAM CAPTAIN will be expected to:
• Be on time to all team practices and team functions (at least 15 minutes early), and run warm-up/cool-down at practice and games
• Promote a positive attitude and positive team interactions 
• Provide a positive role model concerning commitment, intensity, confidence, response to mistakes, composure, hustle, and a “team first” focus,
• Help settle team conflicts and be willing to confront and hold teammates accountable for their on-and-off field behaviors,
• Work closely with and be the “point-person” for the head coach,
• Encourage and support all teammates,
• Lead the team throughout the season (in good and bad times),

Vote for 3 players in order and those players will be scored based on the following:

5 points for a 1^st place vote, 3 points for a 2^nd place vote and 1 point for a 3^rd place vote.

Position Purpose/Summary: Be a strong leader by example (one of the hardest workers on the team, displaying a high level of commitment, focus, intensity, attitude, and effort) a strong vocal leader with good communication skills (one who will encourage, support, and positively hold all teammates accountable).

The primary purpose of the TWO TEAM CAPTAINS will be to positively influence teammates on-and-off the field. The team captain selection is NOT a popularity contest, but a selection of 2 leaders, regardless of class. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The TEAM CAPTAIN will be expected to:
• Be on time to all team practices and team functions (at least 15 minutes early), and run warm-up/cool-down at practice and games
• Promote a positive attitude and positive team interactions 
• Provide a positive role model concerning commitment, intensity, confidence, response to mistakes, composure, hustle, and a “team first” focus,
• Help settle team conflicts and be willing to confront and hold teammates accountable for their on-and-off field behaviors,
• Work closely with and be the “point-person” for the head coach,
• Encourage and support all teammates,
• Lead the team throughout the season (in good and bad times),

Vote for 3 players in order and those players will be scored based on the following:

5 points for a 1^st place vote, 3 points for a 2^nd place vote and 1 point for a 3^rd place vote.