Winter Fun/Maintenance
I am a big believer that competitive soccer players need breaks and I encourage parents and players to take part of the winter off so to decompress and let the players. bodies recover from a long season of league and tournaments.
Winter development should look a lot like Summer Development with the main difference being endurance/strength training should be a "maintenance program". Indoor can be used but it should be a choice or a period of fun for the players.
Junior players and parents sometimes have a hard time removing themselves from the grinding competitive soccer lifestyle that requires 100% of their time and energy. Like the rigors of the adult work cycle and the stress of everyday life, competitive soccer players need breaks for the same basic reasons:
I am a big believer that competitive soccer players need breaks and I encourage parents and players to take part of the winter off so to decompress and let the players. bodies recover from a long season of league and tournaments.
Winter development should look a lot like Summer Development with the main difference being endurance/strength training should be a "maintenance program". Indoor can be used but it should be a choice or a period of fun for the players.
Junior players and parents sometimes have a hard time removing themselves from the grinding competitive soccer lifestyle that requires 100% of their time and energy. Like the rigors of the adult work cycle and the stress of everyday life, competitive soccer players need breaks for the same basic reasons:
- Vacations Stave Off Burnout: Workers/players who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts
- Vacations Can Keep Us Healthy: Taking regular time off to "recharge your batteries", thereby keeping stress levels lower, can keep you healthier.
- Vacations Can Strengthen Bonds: Spending time enjoying life with loved ones can keep relationships strong, helping you enjoy the good times more and helping you through the stress of the hard times.
- Vacations Can Help With Your Job/learning Performance: The psychological benefits that come with more frequent breaks lead to increased quality of life, and that can lead to increased quality of training and development.