As coaches and athletes, we’re often fixated on achieving results, pushing ourselves to the limit and disregarding our physical and mental well-being. But what if I told you that prioritising the athlete first could enhance performance and prevent burnout?
The truth is, prioritising the athlete first is critical to long-term success, and it’s time to overhaul our approach to training. Here are some practical steps to help you prioritise the athlete first and achieve greater long-term success on and off the field.
Coaches, are you listening?
Firstly, be flexible with your training program. Don’t treat athletes like robots; they have individual needs and a life outside of training. Creating a flexible program that can be adjusted to meet their specific needs can help prevent burnout, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance performance.
Jim, a professional rowing coach, says, “When coaches prioritise the athlete first, it creates a culture of trust and support that benefits everyone. By listening to the athlete and addressing their needs, we can create a training program that supports their overall well-being and leads to long-term success.”
But it’s not just physical needs that require attention; mental health is equally critical to an athlete’s well-being. Coaches can provide resources for stress management, such as meditation, visualisation, or journaling, to help athletes manage the pressure of competition.
One of Jim’s top athletes commented, “There’s no denying the importance of physical training, but mental health is just as important. By prioritising mental health, coaches can help athletes perform at their best and prevent burnout.”
It’s important to address common misconceptions about training, such as the belief that more training always leads to better results. Overtraining can be detrimental to an athlete’s physical and mental health. Training hard and effectively is a fine skill.
Failure to prioritise the athlete over the program often makes athletes afraid to communicate with coaches because they don’t want to display what they perceive as weaknesses. Ignoring their needs means they continue to train and slowly but steadily wear away the layers they are trying to build up, burning out. They’ll only notice this impact a few months after it starts, by which stage it’s often too late.
Athletes pay attention!
So, how can you prioritise the athlete? Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Listen to your body.
Your body is an incredibly intelligent machine that’s constantly sending you signals. If you’re feeling tired, sore, or unmotivated, your body may be telling you that it needs a break. Ignoring these signals can lead to burnout or injury, so pay attention to how you’re feeling and adjust your training accordingly.
Set realistic goals
While it’s great to set big goals, ensure they’re achievable and realistic. You may feel frustrated and burnt out if you’re constantly pushing yourself too hard to reach an unrealistic goal. Instead, set goals that challenge you but are also achievable, so you can experience progress and stay motivated.
Take rest days
Rest days are just as important as training days. Your body needs time to recover and rebuild, and rest days help prevent injury and burnout. Schedule rest days, and use them as an opportunity to take care of your body with activities such as stretching, massage, or meditation. A smart athlete rests as hard as they train.
Build a support network
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community of family, friends, and coaches can help you stay motivated and committed to your goals. A supportive network can also provide encouragement and accountability, helping you stay on track and avoid burnout.
Stay flexible
No training program is perfect; you must be flexible and willing to adjust your program as needed. If you’re feeling burnt out or overwhelmed, taking a step back and re-evaluating your training program is okay.
In conclusion, you can train hard; however, be mindful of what your body tells you. Choosing to be blind or accept things just as they are will ultimately limit you in what you can do for the season. This compounds up over time, and you get back what you put in. To stand out and be different, you must do things differently.
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