I love the World Cup. And it’s not because I’m a big soccer fan.     I love the World Cup because it turns me — and millions of other fair weather futbol Americans — into soccer fans. All-consuming soccer fans. Even if just for a few summer fortnights.... Read more

When it comes to your summer conditioning, everything is relative  Behind the Clipboard by Clay Kallam I’m going to play football in the fall, and my mom says I should get up early every morning — or at least four days a week — and go run five miles... Read more

First Pitch by Jim McCue      The best part about reviewing the athletic year in the Sac-Joaquin Section is that all of these opinions are 100 percent accurate. No guesses or predictions this time of year as we take a look back at some of our favorite stories... Read more

   Putting together retrospective issues like this are always a fun project. This is the second year we’ve done this, but the first time in which we’ve been able to make it its own special edition. Going through our photo archives from the past nine months obviously brought out... Read more

Playing your sport and training this summer are good things, but sleeping in can be just as important.  Behind the Clipboard: Clay Kallam    I play two sports in high school, and I’m going to try to do both during the summer — and I definitely should do some... Read more

   On June 10, SportStars will celebrate the fourth anniversary of its inaugural edition. Four years. Whoooo! Cue the confetti.     Now when most people think of big anniversaries, they think of those that end in 5’s and 0’s. Typically, a four-year anniversary goes by without much fanfare.  ... Read more

   Employing drop sets into your lift routine can really benefit muscle growth  Powered by Trucks : Anthony Trucks     There are three main ways to train when it comes to weightlifting. You can lift for muscular strength, muscular power, or muscular size. Within those, a person could work... Read more

   Lacrosse may still lack regular attention and respect from those outside the game, but soccer was once like that too in the U.S. Behind the Clipboard By Clay Kallam    I play lacrosse but I don’t get any respect. I could play other sports, but I really love... Read more

GET MENTAL : ERIKA CARLSON     Curious what the most common reason is that athletes seek mental training services?    Pre-game nerves.      That’s right, the same thing you have felt so many times. The jittery feeling in your body (part excitement, part fear), tense muscles, excessive thinking... Read more

Training Time | Tim Rudd for IYCA    Why is it important for your athletes to get stiffer early in the process of deceleration? I discussed why it’s an indicator of athletic success and vital for the health of your athletes in my last column.    Today I’m going... Read more

CYCLING INJURIES : Hunter Greene    Mountain biking is surging in popularity among high school students in Northern California, as evidenced by the growing number of high school mountain biking teams. It’s an inclusive, fun and challenging sport that appeals to recreational riders and experienced competitors alike.     No... Read more