The COVID-19 pandemic continues; therefor life as we are accustomed still evades us – this, for many, includes sports.

However, just because you can't practice and interact with teammates and coaches, doesn't mean work still isn't being done. The Star reached out to two coaches, to ask how they are staying engaged with athletes and how they are using their time to become better at their craft.

Tim Brady, head coach for Wolf Pack Basketball, said he is missing the coaching aspect.

"Normally, this would be a busy time for Wolf Pack," said Brady. "We would have about three to four teams involved, doing five training sessions a week and all different ages."

Brady said the players are looking for ways to stay connected and that he has spoken with the players through different social media platforms.

To help keep them focused while self-isolating, Brady sent out a 21-day leadership playbook.

"While they are not on the court, I tried to provide them with online courses to do basketball and sport-specific things to give them something to do," said Brady.

On Wednesday, as a means to further connect the players, Brady issued the Wolf Pack player challenge.

Any player, coach, and supporter are encouraged to post a short video demonstrating a skill they are working on at home or simply provide some words of encouragement and support to their fellow Wolf Pack teammates.

For Brady's part, he said he is staying involved in global coaching networks that use social media to present different clinics online.

"I am trying to learn more," said Brady. "I'm still trying to be a student of the game – that doesn't stop.

"I pretty much have daily discussions on different topics specific to coaching and player development. I've looked at different ways to teach and coach a bit."

Brady said the hope is when they can get back into the gym together they can hit the ground running.

"We will try to come in with new ideas and ways to design practice," said Brady. "We will try to do a bit of that everyday, whether practice design or leadership environments."

The draw to basketball, Brady said, is the team aspect, and he believes the players are missing that. He offered words of encouragement to the athletes who are missing their regular routines.

"I want them to know we are still out here and we'll get through it," said Brady. "When we get back together, we'll create what we were doing and maybe better."

Carmen Escobar, head coach of the Whitehorse Glacier Bears said the club is utilizing Zoom to stay connected.

"Every day we connect and train," said Escobar. "We designed a dryland program to keep them fit and it's still a way for them to see each other."

The Glacier Bears do their formal dry land training Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"I send them a warmup so we can get right into it when we go in," said Escobar. "I do it with them so we are all doing the same thing. It's the best part of my day."

By doing the dryland training, Escobar said it is a way for the swimmers to not fall behind.

"There is no way we will be behind," said Escobar. "They are now dominating things they used to struggle with."

On her end, Escobar said she is increasing her dryland knowledge.

"Dryland was a weak area for me so I wanted to take the opportunity to increase my knowledge because I want to improve the club," said Escobar.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, a running program was implemented.

"The struggle was real in the beginning," said Escobar. "They downloaded an app where they can share their efforts, times and routes.

"The running is important to keep up endurance so when we can get back into the pool it will just be about feeling the water again."

Escobar said it's important for the swimmers to stay active during this time because they don't want to fall behind when competition can resume.

"We are lucky we can still do things," said Escobar. "It is a window of opportunity as long as we are respecting social distancing.

"When things are back to normal, it's a matter of who took the opportunity to improve their weak areas."

Escobar said all the Glacier Bears coaches at all levels are encouraged to stay connected with their athletes.

The swim season picks up again in the fall and Escobar said she typically plans the next season's schedule in June. Now, because she has more time, she has begun the new schedule to hopefully increase the swimmers time in the water.