Season’s Over — Now What?
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The end of a season always brings mixed emotions. Some athletes are ready for a break, others wish they had a few more games. Either way, the post-season is one of the most important times of the year — not just for rest, but for setting the stage for what comes next.
Here’s what parents and athletes should do when the season wraps up.
1. Take a Week (or Two) to Decompress
Before jumping into anything, let the body and mind breathe.
That doesn’t mean sitting around doing nothing all day — it means intentionally stepping back.
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Sleep in.
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Spend time with family and friends.
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Reflect on the season — what went well, what needs work.
Those 1–2 weeks give athletes a mental and physical reset before getting back into training. Pushing too fast after a long season can lead to burnout or nagging injuries that never heal.
2. Assess, Don’t Obsess
Once that short break is over, it’s time to look back honestly.
Ask questions like:
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What parts of my game improved this season?
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Where did I struggle the most?
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How did my effort and mindset hold up?
Parents can help here by talking through the season — not by criticizing, but by helping their athlete identify what to focus on moving forward.
The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is progress with a plan.
3. Get Back to Training (With Purpose)
After the break, training begins again — but it should look different than in-season work.
This is the time to rebuild the foundation:
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Strength & Power: Get back in the weight room. Focus on movement quality and balanced strength.
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Speed & Mechanics: Clean up form and fix bad habits that developed during the season.
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Mobility & Recovery: Address tight areas and small aches before they become problems.
Parents can help by setting structure — consistent training times, meal prep, and accountability. Off-season is where real growth happens.
4. Set Clear Goals
Every new training block should have direction.
Maybe it’s:
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Improving top speed
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Gaining 10 lbs of lean mass
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Becoming more explosive
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Earning a starting spot next season
Whatever it is, write it down. Goals give purpose to every rep and keep motivation high when the work gets tough.
5. Keep Perspective
Remind your athlete that recovery, reflection, and training are all part of the same process. The best athletes use the off-season to separate themselves — not by doing more, but by doing the right things.
Take time to reset. Then, get back to work with clarity and purpose.
Because the next season starts now.