Optimizing Practice Time: Designing Training Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Designing training spaces that maximize practice time has become crucial in the world of college athletics. With the NCAA limiting in-season practice to 20 hours per week, or four hours per day, student-athletes face a challenge in balancing their practice commitments with academic and other obligations. The minutes spent in transit and navigating older athletics facilities can eat into valuable practice and coaching hours. In this article, we explore the importance of designing efficient training venues that cater to the specific needs of athletes and coaches, while considering the location and adjacencies of existing facilities.

Architects tasked with designing successful training venues must be sensitive to the unique requirements of each sports program. For training facilities that serve multiple programs, such as football and basketball, it is essential to consider the individual needs of each sport. A key decision faced by administrators is whether to consolidate all facilities under one roof or keep them in close proximity. While consolidating facilities may seem efficient, it can potentially separate student-athletes from the rest of the campus community. Striking the right balance between proximity and integration is a critical consideration.

The design process involves understanding the daily routines of athletes and sports programs while taking into account the flow of students across the campus. Coaches express a preference for keeping academic, dining, and strength training facilities close together to condense athletes’ schedules. However, creating an environment where student-athletes seamlessly blend with the general student population is also important. Achieving this balance requires collaboration and input from various stakeholders, including coaches, administrators, and athletes.

One case study is the Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics Performance Center at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. With a limited budget, the decision was made not to add an academic or dining component exclusively for student-athletes. Instead, existing academic and dining facilities were located close to each other, and efforts were made to connect all athletics-oriented facilities effectively. By engaging with coaching staff from different sports programs, the design team incorporated their specific requirements, ensuring that all sports were accommodated.

Another key consideration in training facility design is the need to balance the requirements of football with those of other sports. Football programs often require larger locker facilities, team meeting rooms, and equipment storage spaces. Allocating sufficient space for football without compromising other programs can be challenging. At the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, football coaches’ offices and larger meeting rooms were placed on the second floor, while shared spaces such as the weight room, athletic training area, and auditorium were located on the first floor for easy access by all athletes.

Efficient space utilization is achieved by minimizing corridors and placing programmatic spaces in close proximity. The master plan for the university’s Athletic Quad, which includes the Athletics Performance Center, aims to create a vibrant gameday atmosphere for various sports. The new center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, designed to impress recruits and enhance the overall athlete experience.

By designing training spaces that optimize practice time, universities can ensure that student-athletes make the most of their limited hours while balancing their academic commitments. The careful integration of facilities and thoughtful design choices can positively impact performance on the field and in the classroom.