While there is not always a full coaching staff on campus during the Summer, all the strength and conditioning coaches will train with players in Hanover as well as several of the individual coaches, newly-named co-captain Charles Bay '11 said.
The typical Summer practices entail "lifting, running, specialized practices and seven-on-seven scrimmages," according to co-captain Tim McManus '11, who spent his sophomore Summer off campus and trained individually. Even with limited coaching staff and players, Summer practices are as structured and intense as other off-season practices, he added.
Bay, who unlike McManus, spent his sophomore Summer on campus, noted that the team still meets for 6 a.m. workouts, lifts weights four times a week and runs three times a week.
"It was a good time because you get to be close to the people, and the players, in your class," Bay said. "We took a lot of strides strength-wise during my sophomore Summer. Also, we got everything football related out of the way in the morning."
This upcoming summer will proceed similarly to previous ones. According to Zach Wodka '12, who will be on this Summer, practices will include lifting and running throughout the week. Although there is no formal practice, the workouts will be complete focusing on speed and conditioning.
The plan for the Summer is to improve in areas where players are lacking, which includes mental toughness, Wodka added. In addition to physical workouts, the team will watch film twice a week before their runs to improve their mental game.
Shawn Abuhoff '12 said he has high expectations and hopes for the team, adding that he is anticipating grueling practices. He noted that the people who are off campus for the term are expected to do their part as they train alone in order to best position the team for its upcoming season.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the team that everyone sees in the Fall will be the best Dartmouth team the school has seen in awhile," Abuhoff said.
Official Fall term practices for the team begin August 24 when all the newly-recruited freshmen arrive on campus. McManus said there is a "big push" to encourage players to get to campus as early as possible, adding that incoming freshmen receive a warm welcome from the upperclassmen upon arriving to campus.
"Upperclassmen are good to freshmen," McManus said. "They help them move into their dorms and just help them out in general."
Last season, Dartmouth football went 2-8, but the team is looking to an improved 2010 season with coaching changes and more experienced players expected to pay off. According to McManus, the team's goal is "to take Dartmouth back to where it should be and get that Ivy League Championship."
Head football coach Buddy Teevens could not be reached for comment by press time.
