My policy for my own kids was one practice per day. On lifting days ( 2 per week) they could do two sessions but, we would not do conditioning. We rarely did any conditioning as they were often getting 3-4 practices per week that lasted an hour. We also tried to get one day off with nothing ( although this didnt happen enough). We also avoided summer tournaments and showcases until the kids were in their teens and college coaches were actually looking and even then we limited those.
Mike - thanks for your comment. Your approach was definitely favorable. May I ask .. were you ever in the situation where your child was playing 2 sports (let’s say ice hockey and baseball/softball) and there were practice/game/skating lessons etc. / multiple events in one day and you had to tell the other coach/program that you were not coming .. and how did they react? What I am getting at is I think many parents are “pressured” too fulfill the expectations of both programs/coaches because of playing time, getting cut, etc. Too many times, these programs/coaches are private and thus $$$ need to pay the bills etc. P.S. And I am speaking from experience. Look forward to your response .. several parents have this difficult and challenging conundrum.
Thanks for the comment. Yes for sure ... I just kept seeing all the kids who were "multi-sport" but the reality is .. well, those examples were given in the blog. Stay tuned for the next few as they add to this idea. Thanks again.
First and foremost - big fan of your work! And yes - this is the REALITY .. When I was Director of Spartan Performance, a youth training and research center at MSU, part of the initial screening was on training load. We turned kids away!!! Similarly, we screened prior to training sessions and would modify the session. In both cases, some parents were PISSED and others appreciative. We have a big battle on our hands. Win with the winners - change one heart and mind at a time.
My policy for my own kids was one practice per day. On lifting days ( 2 per week) they could do two sessions but, we would not do conditioning. We rarely did any conditioning as they were often getting 3-4 practices per week that lasted an hour. We also tried to get one day off with nothing ( although this didnt happen enough). We also avoided summer tournaments and showcases until the kids were in their teens and college coaches were actually looking and even then we limited those.
Mike - thanks for your comment. Your approach was definitely favorable. May I ask .. were you ever in the situation where your child was playing 2 sports (let’s say ice hockey and baseball/softball) and there were practice/game/skating lessons etc. / multiple events in one day and you had to tell the other coach/program that you were not coming .. and how did they react? What I am getting at is I think many parents are “pressured” too fulfill the expectations of both programs/coaches because of playing time, getting cut, etc. Too many times, these programs/coaches are private and thus $$$ need to pay the bills etc. P.S. And I am speaking from experience. Look forward to your response .. several parents have this difficult and challenging conundrum.
This is great! So often it’s the overlooked piece to the suggestion that every athlete would benefit from being a “multi sport athlete”.
Thanks for the comment. Yes for sure ... I just kept seeing all the kids who were "multi-sport" but the reality is .. well, those examples were given in the blog. Stay tuned for the next few as they add to this idea. Thanks again.
Your cover photo alone makes me want to cry. 😭
First and foremost - big fan of your work! And yes - this is the REALITY .. When I was Director of Spartan Performance, a youth training and research center at MSU, part of the initial screening was on training load. We turned kids away!!! Similarly, we screened prior to training sessions and would modify the session. In both cases, some parents were PISSED and others appreciative. We have a big battle on our hands. Win with the winners - change one heart and mind at a time.
Great stuff. It's disheartening to hear about the upset parents. Not surprised tho.