A win-win situation

The CIF Southern Section “Association Rule,” which severely limited contact between coaches and student-athletes outside of their respective sports season, will become void Tuesday because of a council vote back in April.

While some Laguna Beach High coaches are taking advantage and starting clubs, others will continue to coach summer leagues through the city as they’ve been doing for years.

Boys’ and girls’ volleyball Coach Lance Stewart was one of the first to jump on the opportunity.

“I’ve been wanting to put something together for years,” he said. “Now I can finally do it.”

Stewart started 900 Square Feet Volleyball Club. Unlike other volleyball clubs, Stewart’s program will accommodate the girls’ and boys’ school team schedules to allow them proper recovery time before they begin off-season training.

“We will incorporate weight training and plyometrics to build strength and speed,” Stewart said.

Two other Laguna coaches eager to create “outside” play were baseball Coach Jeff Sears and his assistant Scott Zine.

In addition to baseball camps, the two are also coaching summer league.

“The elimination [of the rule] is a great benefit to us,” Sears said. “We’re getting a chance to spend more time with these kids and find out what they’re all about.”

The girls’ soccer coaches are also coaching summer league through Capistrano Valley.

The league, which is in its 16th season, hosts two teams. Laguna girls’ soccer Coach Bill Rolfing and assistant Jennifer Lundblad will coach returning players, while Laguna JV Coach Ed Ornelas will work with a team of incoming freshmen.

“These clubs are a good way to unite the kids,” Rolfing said. “It gives them all a chance to play each other before the school season.”

Tennis clubs will continue to run through the city as in recent years, and will be led by Laguna boys’ tennis Coach Jimmy Gleason.

Football Coach Jonathan Todd hopes to start a “skills camp” for Laguna players after the fall season, as well as a junior high league, which would play other schools and get younger boys ready for the high school level.

“It’s not certain, but I’d love to do this,” he said.

Rather than running a club or clinic, Laguna boys’ basketball Coach Bret Fleming would prefer to have more gym time with his athletes.

“Now we can bring the kids in outside of practice, to work on individual skills,” he said. “The elimination of the rule will be a huge plus for us.”