Pre season training and exam pressure

“A pessimist complains about the wind, an optimist waits for it to change, a leader adjusts the sails.”  

(source unknown) sent by John Mallett.

• Our young athletes are trying desperately to balance all the demands placed upon them with exams, sport and peer pressure.
• Their parents are trying to make ends meet, be in two places at once and pay for petrol for after school sports and weekend competitions.
• Their coaches are trying to plan sessions, put tactics and technical sessions together, but realise that the fundamental movements and physical literacy are missing.

Time and money are more precious than ever before. If we take shortcuts with our young sports people: they will break.

“I’m too busy to exercise, I need to revise”

Revision mounts up

I have heard this every year for the last 15 years at about this time. Young people, parents and teachers are all under pressure to get results.

But, we know that exercise improves mood, helps concentration and helps get better academic results.

So why do parents and school teachers stop encouraging people to move and socialise and be happy?

One parent (who is a surgeon) suggested his 3,2,1 method of revision:

3 hours in the morning, 2 hours after lunch and then 1 hour later.

This gives the young person time to have a life and to work as necessary. If your teenager is locked in their bedroom all day, do you really think they are being productive in that time?

I would suggest a phone ban during revision time, to help avoid distractions, allowing it out at certain times only.

An hour of exercise a day (at least) will restore balance to their young stressed minds.

We live in a flawed sporting world: life and circumstances are often against us. I am trying to help parents, coaches and the sports men and women get better.