Give Yourself a Break!
By Marc Dagenais
I can't believe it. My softball season is already over! I know it’s a cliché but it's crazy how quickly time goes by. We don't see the time go by because our seasons are so busy and so intense that before we realized it, they're over!
However, since they're so intense, emotionally and physically draining, a break is always welcome. Any elite athlete no matter the sport or the level need some form of break at some point during the year. That usually happens at the end of the competitive season and is called a transition phase. It's basically the first phase of the off-season period. It's a very crucial rest period for any elite athlete no matter the sport or the level.
This break will allow the athlete to recharge the batteries, heal nagging injuries, and give them an important mental break. This transition period should be at least 3 weeks and ideally up to 6-8 weeks. Yes, that long!
For many of us, time spent away from the field or the cage is often seen as wasted time because we could be working on mechanics and conditioning. It's very tempting to take this period lightly, underestimate its importance and want to shorten it up as much as possible.
However, that period is very crucial to ensure a full mental and physical recovery. Don't underestimate its importance! If you go back too fast, you're at greater risk of injuries, mental and/or physical burnout, loss of motivation, plateau, etc.
During this break, no softball whatsoever, but it's encouraged to remain active and participate in recreational activities for fun with no formal conditioning. It's also the best time of the year to seek medical attention and heal these nagging injuries once and for all. So, give yourself a well-deserved break and go back to training a couple of weeks completely refreshed, totally healthy and super motivated!
Marc Dagenais, MHK, CSCS, is a softball peak performance coach. or for more FREE Tips on how to increase performance and develop talent, please visit www.softballperformance.com and sign-up for my “Softball Performance Secrets Journal”. You can also contact through the website.
