Ask the athletic director: Help young athletes avoid burnout during summer training

Erica A Wright By Erica A Wright The Kalamazoo Gazette
on June 06, 2008 at 6:40 AM, updated June 06, 2008 at 6:41 AM
Fletcher Lewis
Athletes need to train off-season whether their goals are to improve or simply to maintain their fitness level. But year-round training can burn young athletes out.

Family Talk asked Fletcher Lewis, former supervisor of physical education, health and athletics for Kalamazoo Public Schools, about ways for student athletes to train over the summer.

Q: At what level should athletes consider training over the summer?

Whether you should train over the summer depends on what level you started at and where you want to go.

A high school or middle school student playing on a team can work on the skills they need to improve over the summer. It is a chance to move to the next level. For instance, a pitcher whose coach has told her she has a weak arm can work specifically on arm strength. A footballer with weak footwork can find a program that works on that skill.

The second factor is philosophy. If you are a multi-sport person looking to stay in shape, trying something new. You can also try a related sport -- like a tennis player joining a lacrosse program.

During the summer, evaluate where you are, make sure you are doing something that won't hurt you, and do something you enjoy.

Q: What is the best off-season training strategy?
A lot of it comes back to individual goals. Let's say I have a lot of baseball talent and I want to make it to the big leagues -- I need to create a strategy to improve and move up.

A young person trying to make a middle school sports team can talk to the coach for specific goals. They can then find a program that works on the skills needed to meet those goals.

But if the child is into sports for recreation, they should do what they enjoy doing over the summer in order to maintain a general level of fitness. It doesn't need to be sport-specific.

Q: How much is too much training?

For any quality athlete, conditioning is the bottom line.

A lot of this is what the athlete chooses to do. Some people play nonstop because they enjoy playing sports.

But when other people are setting goals for the young athlete, there can be trouble. If you push kids to the point that they hate what they are doing, you are burning them out.

Motivation has to come from the self, especially during the summer. Mom and dad can influence their kids' decisions, but they can't force the decision of whether to train.