And then there came ... nothing

Posted April 29th, 2009 by Dave Ornauer

Pacific Sportsblog

They endured a rigorous seven-week schedule, playing as many as six soccer matches in eight days, to get the regular season done in advance of Advanced Placement testing.

Call the AP testing period a two-week "dead zone" in which practice, matches and travel are limited, all in an effort to make as many allowances for testing students as possible.

It ends up becoming a go-stop-go scenario. Play at a breakneck pace, slam on the brake for a couple of weeks, then go again at a pell-mell during the week-long Far East tournaments May 18-22.

Read about the "dead zone" and the challenges it presents in this week's Home Team page.

Why?

On May 1st, 2009 titans_39 says:

This idea just seems wrong to me.
1. AP's are cumulative classes which you should have been studying the whole year for. Stopping sports for two weeks isn't going to help students do better on the tests- which are
2.taken mostly during school hours, not after school when sports are.
3. My best estimate would be that realistically no student could be taking more than three AP's AND participating in a sport so taking two whole weeks off because one might miss part of a few practices seems...well dumb

Obviously not an AP student

On May 4th, 2009 sdwin4life says:

You would be very surprised how much sports off does in fact help. My day consists of waking up, going to school, going to practice until 5:45, go home, then shower and eat. By the time I get a chance to start homework it is at least 7. Starting homework at 7 normally is very tough, but with AP Tests right around the corner and if I intend to pass studying is required which makes it hell. Now starting at 7 includes AP homework, other class homework, other chores around the house, plus trying to STUDY for 3 very different AP classes and trying to be in bed before 10? Yea right… I love sports, I do 3 varsity sports each year, and in doing that I relize how time consuming they are. With AP test around the corner I am thankful to have a dead week so that come Monday testing ill smash it with a 5. Just my Opinion though

About the Author

Dave Ornauer has covered DODDS-Pacific high school and Far East interservice sports for 25 years -- since his first Far East high school basketball tournament in February 1982 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. When he’s not working, Dave can usually be found reading, enjoying food and fine wine and spending time with family.

Pacific SportsBlog