While most high school students are still hitting snooze at 6 a.m., athletes are already hitting the field hours before school even starts. With the first bell not ringing until 9, is this early grind promoting discipline or robbing teens of much-needed rest and balance?
After talking to many student-athletes and coaches throughout JR, I found that having practice before school may sound exhausting for some, but it actually has a series of benefits. The early start allows student-athletes to dedicate after-school hours to homework along with developing discipline and focus, both of which are keys for success in any sport.
One of the first things I realized after talking to many student-athletes is that although morning practice might be tiring for some, it is still viewed as a fair trade-off. This allows for those early risers to have flexibility in their afternoons—a luxury most student-athletes don’t have. By shifting practice to 6 a.m., athletes regain control over their post-school hours, allowing them to focus on academics, pursue extracurriculars, or even relax with friends.
Instead of coming home at 7 p.m. or later, exhausted from practice and scrambling to finish assignments, they now have the freedom to tackle school work immediately, leading to better time management and reduced stress. Studies have shown that students who manage their time effectively are more likely to succeed academically and this schedule empowers athletes to do just that. The morning sacrifice doesn’t just build endurance on the field, it builds balance off of it.
Another crucial perspective often overlooked in the debate over early morning practices is that of the coaches. To explore this, I spoke with science teacher and head coach of the varsity boys soccer team Jean-Claude Nkongolo. “Practice in the morning trains students to wake up early, which helps them be on time for school,” Nkongolo explained. Additionally, these early call times “shows the players’ commitment to the sport, which is always great.” These points are not just surface-level observations—they underscore how morning practice fosters discipline and accountability, qualities that extend far beyond the soccer field.
Research has shown that developing such habits early on is crucial for long-term success, not just in athletics, but in academics and future careers as well. In a world where consistency and responsibility are key, Nkongolo’s words remind us that the rigor of a 6 a.m. practice instills life skills that transcend the scoreboard.
It is also very important to acknowledge the validity of arguments against morning practices, as they highlight genuine concerns that cannot be ignored. While many student-athletes favor early practices for the freedom it grants in the afternoons, others raise compelling points against the 6 a.m. start. One major issue is the impact on sleep.
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, teenagers need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to function at their best. Yet, early practices might force many students to cut that necessity short, leading to fatigue, impaired focus, and, ultimately, lower academic performance.
Those who live farther from school face an even greater burden. For students with long commutes, waking up hours before dawn to arrive on time exacerbates this sleep deficit, leaving them exhausted before the school day even begins.
The structure and benefits of morning practices often outweigh the very real challenges. With the right balance and support, early practices can help student-athletes succeed in both sports and school.
