Post by Admin on Dec 13, 2012 22:07:18 GMT -5
Burnout
A word that none of us want to hear!
Burnout is a word that can strike fear into a parent's heart. One day, your daughter is begging to go out and hit a few. The next day she tells you she doesn't want to play again - ever. What happened?
Burnout can happen to anyone. Think about it. If you work at a job that requires a high level of focus and attention day after day, you get burned out if you never get a break. If that can happen to an adult, imagine what it is like to a young person?
So, what does a parent do?
First, you need to recognize the signs. There are many and they differ with each child. Here are just a few:
1. Reluctance to go to practice and/or games. Everyone has their days, but when this happens consistently, there could be a problem.
2. Unhappiness during practice and/or games. Teenage hormones not withstanding, if your daughter doesn't look like she's having fun, she may be burning out.
3. Tiredness and listless behavior.
4. Verbal clues. Kids are good at telling us what is going on, we just aren't very good at listening. If your daughter is complaining about playing or is constantly negative about ball, she may be burning out.
What do you do?
Here are some suggestions based on several different sources:
Source, VITALITY, 1993
1. Encourage young athletes to have other interests.
2. Give athletes some control over their own training.
3. Teach athletes how to manage stress.
4. Keep parent criticism and coaching to a minimum.
5. Set realistic goals.
6. Be aware of young athletes who are perfectionists and realize that they may interpret
innocent words as criticism.
7. Parents must not define their own self worth by the athletic success of their child.
8. Consistent Positive coaching.
www.softballmom.org/index.html
A word that none of us want to hear!
Burnout is a word that can strike fear into a parent's heart. One day, your daughter is begging to go out and hit a few. The next day she tells you she doesn't want to play again - ever. What happened?
Burnout can happen to anyone. Think about it. If you work at a job that requires a high level of focus and attention day after day, you get burned out if you never get a break. If that can happen to an adult, imagine what it is like to a young person?
So, what does a parent do?
First, you need to recognize the signs. There are many and they differ with each child. Here are just a few:
1. Reluctance to go to practice and/or games. Everyone has their days, but when this happens consistently, there could be a problem.
2. Unhappiness during practice and/or games. Teenage hormones not withstanding, if your daughter doesn't look like she's having fun, she may be burning out.
3. Tiredness and listless behavior.
4. Verbal clues. Kids are good at telling us what is going on, we just aren't very good at listening. If your daughter is complaining about playing or is constantly negative about ball, she may be burning out.
What do you do?
Here are some suggestions based on several different sources:
Source, VITALITY, 1993
1. Encourage young athletes to have other interests.
2. Give athletes some control over their own training.
3. Teach athletes how to manage stress.
4. Keep parent criticism and coaching to a minimum.
5. Set realistic goals.
6. Be aware of young athletes who are perfectionists and realize that they may interpret
innocent words as criticism.
7. Parents must not define their own self worth by the athletic success of their child.
8. Consistent Positive coaching.
www.softballmom.org/index.html