Time was when high school football camps were designed to get players into shape.

With defenses and offenses getting so sophisticated even at the prep level, however, more and more, those dog-day August two-a-days more times than not also mean getting as quick a grasp on the coaches' techniques as quickly as possible.

One only has to look at longtime Yokota assistant Larry Donovan walking the Panthers' offense through coach Tim Pujol's trademark intricate veer offense ... one ponderous step at a time. That by itself takes one entire practice.

Or the "Shrock & Awe" spread attack promulgated by Kadena assistant Steve Schrock, based on the principles of the University of Missouri and Texas Tech spread formations.

Thus, most coaches require that their players already be in some kind of condition by the time the first whistle blows -- which as I typed this was a mere few hours away, just past dawn on Aug. 13 in Japan and Guam.

Keeping in shape isn't the province of the gridiron and its advents, either. Volleyball spikers, setters and defenders and tennis players, in particular, must keep their serving, volleying and return skills sharp as ten-penny nails. And cross-country runners can most certainly attest, a great way to remain in tip-top shape is run-run-run!

So just what did the Pacific's prep athletes do to stay in shape over the summer? Did you follow some sort of coach's workout plan? Did you supplement it with your own regimen?

Let's hear it. What did you do that's going to make you better than your opponent? And remember -- you've entered THE no-hate zone. *smile*