Just recently I had two 14 year old soccer players come in for a workout that ended in them throwing up. The idea of training is to push both physically and mentally to improve. The human body loves static state so if we are to improve athletic performance we must push those limits, right? I think so. Throwing up after a hard run is not normal but it does happen around here so you just except it and get back on the tread when you are ready to go. These kids go back to the parents and whine about it was too hard. It was two runs that got these kids and to make it more interesting is that the one kids ate a big plate of pasta an hour before he came in to run. Are you really that stupid? The next day I had to put out some fires and talk to the parents of these jokers about the program, why we do what we do and other concerns they had. The best part is that one of the dads gave me the " I was an athlete and I understand training" excuse to his alarm why they kids got pushed. If you knew how to train athletes you would be training them and not me.
It goes back to understanding what it takes to be and athlete mentally and physically. The physical is the easier part. You can get through things by pushing harder physically but if must get the mind to follow. True athletes at any age know how to push the physical but more importantly mentally. I have 10 year old soccer girls that do what they did with no problem.
Kids in general are growing up soft. Too much video games, TV, non competitive sport leagues ( you know the ones where we have no winners) and just being weak. Sports is about score board. You learn more from failure than success. It’s now OK to whine and cry if you lose or if something is too hard. The parents are at fault as well. They tell little Bobby it’s OK you played good. Is average or being second place OK? As an athlete it should never be OK no matter how old.
Is this wrong? I have no kids of my own. I have trained kids to professional athletes and athletes want to work hard to improve. I also understand that not everybody enjoys kb swings and prowler intervals for 60 min like I do but hard work is fun.
The down fall of the youth of today started with the dodge ball debate. You did not want to get hit you moved faster and learn to throw harder- end of story.
Nate
