“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.”

Vince Lombardi

What's Ahead
Parents:
Why Parents Should Demand Equal Opportunity Playing Time
Coaches:
10 Reasons for Equal Opportunity Playing Time
Players:
Equal Playing Time Doesn't Mean Equal Opportunity Playing Time

Maine Youth Sports
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inquiry@maineyouthsports.com
(207) 415-6321

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The Consequences of Burnout

In a previous issue of this newsletter, we identified nine symptoms of youth sports burnout and some simple ways to combat it. If left untreated, burnout in young athletes can lead to a variety of problems including:

• Poor performance at school
• Negative attitudes toward parents
• Complete loss of interest in sports
• Poor health

High school athletes who have their driver’s license also face the risk of an accident caused by fatigue. This problem has become serious enough that the National Institute of Health now actively sponsors programs aimed at educating parents and kids about the dangers caused by a lack of sleep.

Burnout is the body’s way of saying “slow down.” Kids do not often recognize burnout, so it is up to parents to help them address it. When parents see their child struggling with burnout, they need to take immediate action. Waiting until the end of the season or after the next set of games can only make the problem worse and potentially dangerous.

What Yu-Gi-Oh Can Teach Coaches

In the popular card game Yu-Gi-Oh, the goal is to create a deck of cards that allows the deck owner to defeat opponents in a card game duel. Though you seldom find coaches playing Yu-Gi-Oh, you do see them struggle trying to defeat their archenemy - time.

There is seldom enough time in a single practice or enough practices in a season to cover all the material coaches want to review with their teams. Organizing practices before the start of a season gives coaches the best chance of getting the most out of their limited time. Here is one organizing method that coaches may find helpful:

• Pick a limited number of standard drills that will be required for the season.
• Identify activities that the kids will enjoy (such as scrimmages, relay races, etc.)
• Name each drill and activity with something fun and easy for the kids to remember.
• Place each skills drill on a white index card with its name and time requirements.
• Place each fun activity on a colored index card with its name and time requirements.
• Before each practice, pick two colored cards (for the front and back of the practice deck) and then enough white skills drills to fill the time between.
• At practice, as each drill is used for the first time, teach the kids the drill and the drill’s name.

As the season progress, kids will remember drill details by name, which will save practice time by reducing the time needed for explanation. Practice plans become easy to create by just rearranging or rebuilding the practice deck. More importantly, by starting and ending the practice deck with a colored card, coaches remember to keep fun as a key part of their practices.

As in Yu-Gi-Oh, building the right deck helps coaches overcome their opponent (time). As coaches refine their deck with new or better drills, it is conceivable that coaches could even “trade” their cards with other coaches so that everyone can win.

Good Communications

Things happen too fast during a game for one player to keep it all straight without the help of teammates. Good player-to-player communication is a key requirement for a winning team.

Good times for players to communicate are when they are:

• Able to help a teammate make a play
• Open for a pass
• Going to a new location
• Being crowded by a teammate
• Need help from teammates.

Good communications help other players know what to expect and allow the team to work together. Good communications are always spoken with words to prevent confusion with players on opposing teams.

IMPROVE YOUR 40 YD. DASH (With this workout)

Football Combines are over and Off Season Training is just beginning. One of the most critical aspects of the Combine Tests that can make or break you is your 40 yard dash. It could make the difference between you being a first round pick or not even being drafted! Here is a great Speed Workout from strength coach Pat Vescio.

WARM UP:
- 2 laps of the oval (slow jog)
- Static stretches are held for 10-30sec each

Keep in mind that you warm up to stretch, not stretch to warm up!!

DRILLS (Technique/Form):
Keep in mind:

• Body lean comes from the ground not the waist (don't bent forward from the hips)
• Don't run on your toe's (the toe's have NO power or stability) push from the balls of your feet
• Practice loose swinging arm action (don't tense up)!!
• 2-3 * 20m (each) - Walking high knees
• Running high knees
• A Skip
• Straight legged bounds
• Claw backs
• Viper drills (fast feet through a latter) one foot contact per square

PLYOMETRICS (Power)

• 2-3 * 20-30m (each)
• Double leg hops (over cones)
• Zig Zag hops (one legged lateral bounds)
• Alt Leg running bounds (up stairs)

SPEED CONDITIONING

• 5 * 10m @ 100% (4 point start) walk back recovery/5min rest between each set
• 5 * 20m @ 100% (3 point start)
• 5 * 40m @ 100% (3 point start)
• 2-3 flying 30m @ 100% for acceration (built up over 20m and at max for 30m) COOL DOWN
• 2 laps - stretching

Do this workout 2 to 3 times per week in the off-season but make sure to get plenty of rest. Train consistently and watch your 40 time drop! If used in conjunction with Jumpsoles training, do only once per week. A recommended schedule is Jumpsoles Monday and Friday, with the Speed Workout on Wednesdays.

Workout by Pat Vescio, Strength Coach. Infor from SportSpecific.com. For more Sport Specific insider information, visit SportSpecific.com

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