Practice Info

2026: We're back at Saddle Brook High School!

The dates and times listed below are subject to change.

Our practice schedule is based on availability of the track after the high school uses it.  If the high school needs access to the field, they have priority and our schedule will change that day. 

• Ages 8u: These are kids born in either 2018 or 2019. They practice Friday, 5:45-6:45; - This age group is NOT part of "stay active" or "compete".  They are their own group.  
• 
  
• Ages 9+ "Stay Active" group: Wednesday and Friday only, 5:45-7:15
• Ages 9+: "Compete" group: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 5:45-7:15 (depending on available daylight)

THE FIRST WEEK OF PRACTICE ONLY: "Stay Active" ONLY Wednesday & Friday, "Compete" ONLY Friday, 8under (2018 & 2019) - Same Schedule as usual: ONLY Friday

No Monday practices after Sunday meets.

The groups Active and Compete are simply for our program to give those kids that lean towards competition, more reps by having their own day (Mondays).  ALL groups get to go to meets and when the groups are at practice together (Wednesday and Friday), they have the same practices.  What we have found is that for the stay active kids, going three times a week is just too much for them and pretty soon they don't want to go at all.  This way we keep everyone engaged all season long.  You can speak with a coach about switching groups.  Coaches will also make moves if they see someone is better suited for a different group. 

All practices and meets will be listed in the Game Changer app.  You can download it here .  Once this is set up, you'll be asked to create an account.  This will be essential for your ability to communicate with us. Once the season begins we will almost exclusively communicate through the app.

Practice dates and times are subject to change. Any major changes are communicated as soon as possible.

8u, Friday: 10 minute group warm ups, 45 minutes with coaches, 5 minute cooldown - Parents must stay for entire practice.

9+, 10-15 minute group warm ups, 50-70 minutes with coaches, 5-10 minute cooldown.

For our 2026 season we will have three athlete groups, 8 and Under (8u), Stay Active and Compete.  Stay Active attends Wednesday & Friday; Compete attends Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Practice Notes

• 8u practice once a week.
• All ages warm up together.  
• Please arrive on time and have your child begin two warm up laps.
• For safety purposes, only athletes and coaches are permitted within the fenced track area.  Everyone else please stay outside the fenced in area.   
• If your child is in the 7/8 age group, please keep a close eye on practice in case your assistance is needed with them.  This will be especially important at the beginning of the season while we set expectations.

March/April weather can be all over the place and it can be especially windy and cold at the start of the season.  Please dress accordingly.  We suggest layering up.  

• Running shorts and a T-shirt, with sweats on top if layering.
• Sneakers - Laces only, no velcro - running sneakers are the best to avoid injury.  No Crocs or similar type footwear allowed. Basketball type sneakers can lead to shin splints. 
• Hat and gloves at the beginning of the season.

Bring water, Gatorade, or any other similar type of drink to each practice.  

*Sneaker guideline is a suggestion based on information we gathered from other programs.  

Please instruct your child to take home or dispose of, everything you came in with, including garbage. 

Remind your children that horseplay (before, during, and after practice/meets) may result in their dismissal from practice/meets or if it is habitual, removal from the team as it could cause injury to the other athletes.

Bullying, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated.

Listening to coaches instruction is mandatory for safety and participation in our program.

We encourage all families to stay for practice but understand that is not always possible.  Please keep the following in mind if you plan to drop off and pick up.  

• It is your responsibility to be on time for pickups after practice.  Please plan accordingly.  In case of emergency, contact us right away using the GameChanger app.
• Please instruct your child to see a coach if practice is over and you have not arrived to pick them up. Make sure they know your phone number.  
• Even though we will practice in rain, practice can end at any time due to weather, especially our lightening alerts.  If we have a lightning alert, we do not have anywhere to stay and so practice will be immediately cancelled.  If you are not staying at practice, make sure you can get there quickly for emergency pickups.
• If you need to pick up your child early from practice, please let us know and have your child speak directly with a coach before leaving.  

Remember that for the 7/8 age group, a parent/guardian must stay at all practices for a child to participate in our track program.