Preparing High School Athletes for a Strong and Healthy Sports Season

By Dr. Frankie Goris, PT, DPT ///

For high school athletes, the start of a new sports season brings excitement, anticipation, and big goals. Whether it’s stepping onto the football field, lining up on the track, lacing up cleats for soccer, or taking the mound in baseball, student-athletes dream of competing at the highest level. But those dreams can quickly be put at risk if an athlete isn’t adequately prepared for the physical demands of competitive play.

At Scerbo Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, we specialize in helping young athletes not only recover from injuries but also prevent them from happening in the first place. With years of experience working with professional athletes, as well as high school and college students in the Northern New Jersey area—including schools like Ramapo High School, Ridgewood High School, St. Peter’s Prep,  Fort Lee High School and Saint Joseph Regional High School—we’ve seen firsthand how preparation and the proper training make the difference between sitting on the sidelines and achieving peak performance.

Why Preparation Matters for High School Athletes

High school sports today are more competitive than ever. Student-athletes often train year-round and push themselves to perform at levels that rival college programs. While this level of dedication is admirable, it can also create a higher risk for injuries such as:

• ACL tears

• Shoulder and elbow injuries (especially in baseball and throwing sports)

• Overuse injuries in track and field athletes

• Concussions in contact sports like football and soccer

Without proper conditioning, strength training, and injury-prevention strategies, these risks increase significantly. That’s why sports physical therapy and athletic training are crucial tools for any serious athlete preparing for their season.

The ScerboPT Approach to Sports Rehabilitation & Performance

Our Sports Rehabilitation Specialized Programs are designed with the same multi-disciplinary, evidence-based approach that professional athletes rely on. Every program is personalized, because no two athletes—or their goals—are the same.

We focus on three pillars: sports rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance training.

Our Programs Include:

• Injury Prevention Programming – Identify risk factors and correct them before they lead to injuries.

• Acute & Chronic Sports Injury Rehab – Comprehensive recovery strategies for both sudden and long-term injuries.

• Biomechanical Analysis of the Throwing Athlete – Essential for baseball pitchers and quarterbacks to refine mechanics and avoid arm overuse.

• Shoulder and Elbow Injury Rehabilitation – Restoring strength and stability after common throwing injuries.

• Sports Injury Risk & Concussion Management – Assessments and safe return-to-play protocols.

• Pre & Post Orthopedic Surgery Rehabilitation – Guidance through recovery to ensure a strong return to competition.

• Sports Performance & Training Program – Enhancing strength, agility, and conditioning for peak athletic performance.

Building Strong, Resilient Athletes

Our performance training incorporates:

• Fitness and Development Training – Foundation-building for stamina and strength.

• Postural Alignment and Biomechanics – Improving movement efficiency and reducing injury risk.

• Strength Training – Age-appropriate exercises that build muscle safely.

• Dynamic Movement Analysis – Correcting faulty patterns to improve speed, agility, and power.

For example, a soccer player may need targeted hip and knee strengthening to prevent ACL injuries. At the same time, a baseball pitcher may benefit from detailed throwing analysis to relieve stress on the shoulder and elbow. By tailoring programs to the athlete and their sport, we help them return to play stronger, faster, and more confident.

Supporting Athletes Through Every School Year

Over the years, we’ve proudly helped high school and college athletes in Ramapo, Ridgewood, Jersey City, Fort Lee, Leonia, Montvale, and throughout Northern New Jersey stay healthy, recover from setbacks, and excel at their sport. Many of the athletes we’ve worked with have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, and it all started with the proper rehabilitation and performance plan during their high school years.

Your Next Step

If you or your student-athlete is preparing for the upcoming season, don’t leave performance—or safety—to chance. At ScerboPT, we combine years of clinical expertise with proven training methods to keep athletes strong, resilient, and ready to compete.

Contact us today at (201) 941-2240 to schedule your functional assessment testing or to learn how our Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement Training program can help your athlete reach their full potential this school year.

Visit us conveniently located across the Hudson River on 725 River Road, Suite 60, Edgewater, NJ 07020, at the Edgewater Commons Marketplace Plaza.

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Dr. Frankie Goris, PT, DPT, earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Rutgers University. A lifelong athlete, he competed in track & field, baseball, and basketball before playing college football. As a former collegiate athlete and dedicated fitness enthusiast, Dr. Goris combines his personal experience with clinical expertise to help athletes optimize performance, build strength, and improve conditioning, while emphasizing injury prevention through safe, evidence-based practices. He focuses on Orthopedic Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation.

If you would like to book an appointment with Dr. Frankie Goris or any of our expert licensed physical therapists, please call us at (201) 941-2240 or use our convenient online appointment form.