USA Hockey Magazine

SEPTEMBER 2021 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 31 caption here please PHOTOS BY USA Hockey Magazine Archives "The parents and players are telling us that cost issues and time commitment are two of the main reasons why they 're leaving the game," said former USA Hockey national coach-in- chief Al Bloomer. "So obviously when asked how much is too much, the longer season certainly adds to the cost and takes up a lot more time. "Maybe we should evaluate ways to reduce costs, establish or certainly recommend cost limits on various classifications. Maybe we should consider establishing age-appropriate season lengths to help with the time issue." Arms Race In Youth Sports Like the weather, people throughout the game have long talked about this growing problem, but doing something about it is another matter entirely. For one, there are forces within the game that are not only content with the way things are, but are always looking to push the envelope even further. Rink managers and hockey directors are simply trying to create programs to keep kids on the ice, especially during the lull of the summer months. Still, concerned parties ask how much is too much when it comes to the number of games that are crammed into a youth hockey schedule. Larry Lauer is the director of coaching education and development for the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University. Its mission is the study of the benefits and detriments of youth and high school sports on its participants. In addition to holding a PhD in exercise and sports science, specifically in sports psychology, Lauer is a former hockey director in North Carolina and works extensively with Michigan Amateur Hockey with its coaching education programs. "I call it an arms race in youth sports where everybody is trying to do more than the next guy to get the best opportunities and advantages," he said. "But eventually it's got to stop somewhere." Do The Math With teams playing so many games, something has to give and often it's prac- tices that fall by the wayside. USA Hockey established guidelines that rec- ommend a 3-to-1 practice-to-game ratio. The National Team Development Program, which houses some of the top 16 and 17-year-old players in the country, maintains that training schedule, while most college programs practice four days a week and play two games a week, usually on weekends. Like an actual fire, burnout is best handled through pre- vention instead of reaction. According to Dr. Thomas Raedeke, an associate pro- fessor in the department of exercise and sports science at East Carolina University, "burnout is a relatively chronic state," meaning there are no proven treatments for curing it. It can, however, be prevent- ed by managing the following factors: Balance training demands with recovery: When plan- ning for the season, be sure to add 'off-cycle' weeks to your athlete's training program to promote optimal adaptation to training demands. Promote balance: Take steps to make sure that an athlete isn't overinvolved in sport to the point where they are missing out on other life opportunities. Create a space where athletes have unstructured free time and are allowed to participate in or explore other interests. Have a positive support net- work: Foster a more positive environment for your athletes. Even the feeling of having a positive support network from teammates can result in less burnout and more motivation. Empower athletes: Structure sport in a way that allows athletes to have some input and collaborate on decisions related to participation. In the end, preventing burn- out comes down to keeping sports fun, decreasing stress and reducing the chance that an athlete will feel trapped by their sport. –Reprinted from TrueSport.org HOW TO DOUSE ATHLETE BURNOUT

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