This resource stems from a question submitted to the Ask PCA blog. Responses come from our experts including PCA Trainers, who lead live group workshops for coaches, parents, administrators and student-athletes.

"With the holidays approaching, I know some of my players will miss some practices and probably will do less conditioning and more holiday-style eating. Plus, I expect they will return to school a little less focused due to the break. Any words of wisdom on how we can counter these effects?"

PCA Response by Will Jackson, PCA Trainer-Atlanta
First, it’s important to embrace and communicate the importance of these holiday celebrations in your players' lives. They will appreciate your respect for them, knowing that you value their personal and family times with loved ones away from your sport.

Your players should also realize how important it is to refresh mentally and physically during the holidays, ready to come back to “rarin’ to go” for future competition and its preparation. By the way, that’s a pretty good message for us as coaches, too.

Before the holidays, emphasize the importance of players keeping the competitive edge they’ve developed. You can reinforce this point by giving them a printed workout schedule to follow during the holidays. Keep it short and manageable.

It’s important that your players understand that after the holidays they will be expected to ‘hit the ground running’ in attitude and good condition. Teammates should expect each player to do his/her part for team success.

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