Getting a 'jump' on other gridiron teams, these Bountiful football players are using ballet to... Put their best foot forward ! f. V. ' , r J" mMf I f A V 4 i f v . ' ' -x ;'A It ' "" f 1 1 , - i " " T V tj - f - VI I . i if" , :;;--J l l - U ' - ,i Jr '-"'1 fc.T.i.i - - mfsk mmm m wa. i-.'t!, " tfw By G.BRETT HART Sports Editor WOODS CROSS From cross-body blocks and pulling guards to double leg lifts, chasses and plies, 15 members of Bountiful High's state-championship football team have found that pumping iron during the winter months isn't the only way to get a jump on next year's competitors. Under the direction of veteran dance instructor Caryl Davidson, thi s h andful of B rave s gridiron greats have found that, oddly enough, the dance floor offers an unexpected edge in balance, speed and flexibility on the football field. These Bountiful High athletes began a "ballet as it applies to athletic excellence" class five weeks ago. And, according to most of these budding Baryshnokovs, not only have they seen improvement in their athletic abilities, they've also earned a new-found respect for classical dance. "I was talking to one of my dad's friends who played professional football for the Detroit Lions about how I could improve my game," said Chris Jones, who, as a fullback for Bountiful High, rushed for over 1,300 yards last season earning all-state all-state distinction. "He told me that I should take a dance class. He said that Tony Dorsett and Hershal Walker had taken ballet, and that it had made a big difference. "I was skeptical. I thought dancing danc-ing was for fags, but I decided to do it. I've got a lot of respect for dancers now." Jones approached Davidson about offering a ballet class and was instrumental in talking a number of Bountiful High's top athletes into exchanging their cleats for dance shoes, including Jones younger brother Marshall, who played football foot-ball for the Braves and later won the Region 6, 152-pound wrestling title. Davidson has been a dance instructor in-structor for over 30 years and has taught similar classes before. "I think that there are at least two benefits from teaching this class," Davidson explained. "First, it's good for the athletes. Second, it's good for dance. The image of dance will never change until people try it. It saddens me to see the stigma placed on the arts. Unfortunately, it's unusual that young men ever try it in this country. "Obviously, what these athletes get out of this class will depend on their consistency and the time they put into it. "Ballet can teach them to push off properly with their feet adding six to eight inches to their vertical jump. They're using muscles in their legs and feet that they've never used before. "They'll learn flexibility which ; will prevent injuries, and they'll learn correct posture, what to relax i and what not to relax. "We don't expect to make f dancers out of these young men, but : to teach them to control their bodies t intuitively so that the technique becomes integrated and they can 3 respond unconsciously. . , "It's a real kick to teach these boys, they're really enthusiastic. As dance teachers, we don't get to teach boys very often, especially teen-age boys that are willing sub- - jects." Meanwhile, the athletes are learn- J ing that there is a lot more to dancing, danc-ing, and dancers, than meets the eye. Jones added that at first he felt silly trying to dance but has since gotten over it. "I admit I look silly," Jones said. "But I'm learning balance and ' flexibility. I really think some of the 1 . principles of ballet should be taught ", to athletes as part of their training, especially flexibility. It's a big part ' of fitness. Jake Murdock, another talented Bountiful running back, hurdler and decathlete had similar feelings about dance when he signed up for the class. 1 "I took the class because I thought it would help with my jumping jum-ping ability and speed. "I've already increased my ver- f tical jump by four or five inches. I used to be able to just jump up and 1 touch a basketball rim. Now, I can grab onto the rim and hang on it. "I used to think dance was a ! fairy thing, but it's not easy. I can I tell you that right now." 1 1 Jason Peterson, a Bountiful wide receiver and top-ranked ski racer, : said that the mental benefits from 1 T ballet are as important as the ; physical ones. ' "When Chris and Marshall told 1 me about taking a ballet class, I '-' kind of wondered. But I've changed my mind. It ' s exc it in g . B allet -makes you think a lot. It's training ' I your brain; it really makes you con- centrate. ' 1 r"rrw;""' -v- "--S"-- lJX"'w" "' ' "' mmimmmmn i . .1111 I. n . i .111. - . y .1 --r 1 If I - Some of Bountiful High's top athletes have been busily working out in the off season to heighten their leg strength and jumping abilities - on the dance floor. (Above) Jamie Jones gets pointers from Caryl Davidson about stretching stret-ching on the high directly behind him Cody Johnson tries to keep his balance. (Right) Members of the Bountiful Boun-tiful High football team try to keep up with Davidson and teaching assistant Cassie Richards. Pictured from right to left: Jason Peterson, Jake Murdock, Jamie Jones (Clipper photos by G. Brett Hart)