Athlete Burnout

http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1660

   Coaches unwittingly contribute to burnout and dropout when they try to teach complex team strategies to children under twelve years old. (Cote' and Fraser-Thomas, 2007). Kids in youth sport are now having to choose one sport if they want to be "serious," athletes. What this is means is joining organizations that are now based on performance. These organizations are separate from what kids are already playing in schools, organizations such as AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), cup/cup soccer, and travel baseball. These are major contributors to the wear and tear of athletes, from a young age they are constantly playing sports all the time.

   Coaches and parents should also be cautious that youth sport participation does not become work for children. The outcome of the game should not be more important than the process of learning the sport and other life lessons. In today's youth sport setting, young athletes may be worrying more about who will win instead of enjoying themselves and the sport. Following a game, many parents and coaches focus on the outcome and find fault with youngsters' performances. Positive reinforcement should be provided regardless of the outcome. Research indicates that positive reinforcement motivates and has a greater effect on learning than criticism. Again, criticism can create high levels of stress, which can lead to burnout (Stoker, 2010).


 The youth of today are getting overworked, and are being told to make goals of becoming professionals, or to gain stardom. Parents are  a key factor in youth today becoming burnt out like they are, they allow their kids and push their kids to become better, and "pave the way," for them to get full scholarships, or become professionals. It is dangerous the way youth sports are heading and we need to be aware of this as future parents and as a society.

Cote', Jean, and Jessica L. Fraser-Thomas. 2007. Youth involvement in sport. In P.R.E. Crocker (ed.), Introduction to sport psychology: A Canadian perspective(pp. 266-294). Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall



Stoker, S. (2010, May 6). Preventing youth sport burnout. Selfhelp Magazine, Retrieved from http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1660