“You can tell them that I’ve been from hell and back,” (Hell and Back by Kid Ink) can be said for boys water polo and football athletes at Mira Costa.

In August, while most of us are squeezing in our last few days of summer, these athletes are here at Costa for up to six hours a day. This extreme practice schedule is often called ‘Hell Week’.

Hell Week is used as a way to fit in all of the last preparations before the fall season. Boys Varsity football practices Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9am to 11am and then from 3pm to 5pm. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, practice lasts from 3pm to 5pm; and Saturdays from 9am to 12pm–that is, if they are released on time. “Although the times and the schedule gets really tiring it brings our team together and it will all be worth it when the season begins.” says Varsity player Callum Lapper.

For boys water polo, they had practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6am to 8:30am and 3:30pm to 6pm. Wednesdays are 6am to 9:30am and Saturdays are 6am to 8am. “It definitely lives up to its name.” says Varsity player Lucas Brannan.

Is Hell Week too much physical activity for athletes? For football, is it too much to be working out in heat at that time of day? For water polo, is it too much practice?

 CIF rule book says that for each week, 18 is the maximum amount of hours that you can hold practice. Although the hours for Hell Week are long and can be exhausting for athletes, it is very much allowed. “We put all of our hard work into Hell Week so that it makes the game that much easier.” Lapper says regarding the benefit of this hectic week.

Hell Week is clearly called this for a reason, but if it means that a team is bonding and getting closer, it could be a necessary step toward success. In the middle of their week boys water polo goes on a camping trip together. “It was a lot fun to be with everyone on the team, it makes us a lot closer.” Varsity player Hogan Webb says, “Hell Week helps us figure out how each of us plays so that in games we know what to expect and not expect from each other.”

So the next time you’re trying to enjoy that last week of summer, just remember that for varsity boys water polo and football, summer is already over.