Tips for Avoiding Youth Athlete Burnout

The role of coaches is to notice the signs and make a change.

The sports industry has exploded in recent years, but there has been an increase in youth athlete burnout.

Whereas young athletes used to just “get out and play,” athletes are now being exposed to high-caliber training at an increasingly early age.

Many athletes today are involved in sports year round.

They’re on multiple teams, taking private lessons, and working on their own, constantly training to perfect their craft.

With pressure from coaches, parents, and most often from the athletes themselves, it can be hard to take a step back and remember that even though these athletes may be training at the highest level, they still need to have fun.

As a sports coach, you’re often working with these athletes throughout their athletic careers. So, how can you identify the signs of burnout, and make changes that motivate athletes to stick with sports?

Here are a few signs to look out for, and what you can do to proactively combat youth athlete burnout.

What is “burnout”?

Athlete burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that is our body’s reaction to chronic stress. Oftentimes, this is caused by overtraining or several compounding external factors. Burnout is not just feeling tired after a tough practice or competition; it’s more serious and chronic, and can ultimately have significant negative impacts on an athlete’s well-being and performance.

There are many potential causes of athlete burnout; and often, it’s a combination of multiple stressors. Amongst young athletes, it can be caused by…

• Overtraining: pushing young athletes too hard with excessive training sessions, paired with inadequate rest and recovery.
• High expectations and pressure to succeed: unrealistic expectations from the athlete, parents, or coaches that results in a win at all costs mentality.
• Specialization at an early age: intense focus on a single sport at a young age without adequate breaks for other activities can contribute to burnout, or overuse injuries.
• Lack of autonomy: athletes may feel that they have little control over their training, competition schedule, or overall sports experience, leading to decreased motivation and well-being.
• Negative coaching styles: athletes respond differently to different coaching styles. At young ages, overly critical or authoritarian coaching styles can contribute to athlete burnout. Positive and supportive coaching, on the other hand, can help athletes maintain a passion for the sport.

Identifying the signs of youth athlete burnout

As a coach, you’ve likely already developed a positive relationship with your athletes, and have an understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and how far to push them. You play a vital role in monitoring the well-being of your athletes, including identifying the signs of burnout.

For example, a sudden decline in athletic performance, such as slower times, decreased accuracy, or poor coordination can indicate burnout. Similarly, persistent physical or mental fatigue, even after rest periods, can be a sign that an athlete is experiencing burnout. Other signs may include increased irritability, withdrawal from social activities, changes in attitude, persistent injuries, lack of sleep, or decreased confidence.

Observe your athletes work ethic, attitude, and overall well-being during practices, training sessions, games, and team meetings. And, maintain open communication with your athletes. Not only will this help you establish a baseline, making it easier to notice when the energy shifts, but it also helps you better support and understand your athletes in their craft.

How to combat the signs of burnout (before it’s too late)

There are several proactive measures you can take to combat athlete burnout and create a positive, supportive training environment for your young athletes. First and foremost, it’s important that you make training sessions enjoyable and engaging for your athletes. Especially for younger athletes just getting into sports, and really learning “how to play,” celebrate the little victories and milestones through a positive and fun atmosphere.

Incorporate a variety of activities and games that keep training sessions fun, and encourage athletes to explore a number of sports and activities while spending time in the sports they enjoy. By advocating for well-rounded development (physically and mentally), you can help cultivate a balanced approach to athletics that keeps athletes passionate and engaged. And, for businesses with a specific sport focus, overall athleticism and transferable skills can help them improve at a specific sport or position. A win-win situation.

Additionally, monitoring athlete progress through an athlete progression tracking app can help you quickly identify declines in performance metrics, opening the door for communication with the athlete and their parents. Set realistic expectations for training sessions, and adjust goals based on the specific athlete’s abilities and developmental stage. And, monitor their training load as they progress through a training program.

Other ways to proactively fight against burnout are to provide autonomy and choice when it comes to training-related decisions, encouragement to pursue their interests and passions, emphasizing the importance of recovery and rest, and fostering a supportive team environment amongst your athlete community. Again, for young athletes who are likely newer to sport, it’s important that they understand the role of rest and recovery, mental skills training, and other support in order to achieve peak performance. More is not always better.

You may also consider offering multi-sport or overall skill development training opportunities in tandem with your sport-specific offerings. For example, a multi-sport camp that focuses on speed and agility can benefit an aspiring football player just as much as a basketball player. Collect feedback from your athletes and parents about the skills they would like to develop, and tailor some of your programs and offerings to meet those needs.

Remember that each athlete is unique, so it’s essential to be attentive to individual needs and adapt coaching strategies accordingly. By creating a positive, balanced, and supportive environment, coaches can significantly contribute to preventing athlete burnout in youth sports.

The role you play

As a youth sports coach, you play a pivotal role in identifying and preventing youth athlete burnout. This responsibility extends beyond merely imparting athletic skills; it extends to nurturing a positive and supportive environment that prioritizes the overall well-being of young athletes.

In a world where the intensity of youth sports has reached unprecedented levels, recognizing the signs of athlete burnout becomes a crucial skill. Your ability to identify these signs and take proactive measures to prevent athlete burnout not only results in more passionate, eager athletes over time, but also can lead to increased client retention and revenue for your business.