Game breaks... a chance to connect?

Through out my career as an athlete, I’ve always disliked the practice of keeping athletes in the dugout between double-header games. A lot of coaches at the collegiate level demand that their athletes stay in the dugout between double-header games; this takes away the opportunity for them to socialize with family members and friends who have come out to support them. The reason behind this practice is to keep the athletes focused between games. This never resonated well with me. It is impossible for any human being to stay focused for two entire games including the lapse in competition between games. It is said that the human mind can only truly focus for around 10 seconds at a time. If this is true, we are constantly going in and out of focus throughout the game. If we are able to do this through out the game, surely we can break focus to eat a snack, visit with our fans, and then regain focus when it’s time to warm up again. That brings up another great point, warm ups. I’ve never watched a team go straight into the second game after a break without warming up. There is always at least 10-15 minutes of warm up before that second game. This is the perfect time to get mentally prepared for game 2.

“Between the White Lines”, a documentary that follows the UCLA team in their 2008 season, head coach Sue Enquist sheds some light on this topic. She says, “It’s not about winning its about the process.” In the clip of the movie she talks about enjoying the process of getting where you are going. A big part of this was including the families in the journey of UCLA. Without the support of the families, the players wouldn’t be where they are today. It was so important to Coach Enquist that the parents and siblings felt like a part of the UCLA team.

Sometimes fans drive hours to see athletes play, and they can’t always stay for both games. I think it is crucial to allow athletes to quickly visit these people between games. I can only see benefits with this practice. The fans feel as if they are apart of the experience and the team. The athletes feel rewarded by having fans who are there to support them. It allows the players to get perspective, this is just a game, they can relax for a moment and enjoy themselves. For those players who aren’t starters, or didn’t play, this is a moment for them to feel appreciated even though they weren’t necessarily apart of the game.

Athletes should be able to return to their optimal arousal level after taking a break. If your athletes can’t, they need to learn proper arousal and relaxation techniques. Let them visit with their family and friends between games, and teach them to mentally prepare themselves during warm ups.

Onegameonelove12 said:

For those players who aren’t starters, or didn’t play, this is a moment for them to feel appreciated even though they weren’t necessarily apart of the game.

Athletes should be able to return to their optimal arousal level after taking a break. If your athletes can’t, they need to learn proper arousal and relaxation techniques. Let them visit with their family and friends between games, and teach them to mentally prepare themselves during warm ups.

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do you really buy the non starters would feel that way? Also, so my dd is there to play softball, but she has to learn to mentally prepare to play softball? I pretty sure that she knows that she is there to play softball, not to shoot archery.

nanotech14 said:

do you really buy the non starters would feel that way? Also, so my dd is there to play softball, but she has to learn to mentally prepare to play softball? I pretty sure that she knows that she is there to play softball, not to shoot archery.

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I agree that college athletes should be able to visit with their family between games at a double header. But, really, so what? There isn't much time between games anyway....maybe 30 minutes. Put a "post game pity party" and a bathroom break together, and the kids don't have any time anyway.

Onegame, you are writing the post about college players. I'm not sure I agree with younger age groups. Girls have a terrible tendency to form cliques. Inevitably, three or four girls start separating themselves from the rest of the team between games. If the rule was, "Oh, you can go sit with your parents between games", then some girls would use that as a way to form a clique. If you don't require the kids to sit together, you'll soon not have a team.

Athletes should be able to return to their optimal arousal level after taking a break.

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Awkward...perhaps "focus" would have been a better choice than "arousal".

Appreciate the post and apologize for the normal lets disect everything on this forum and insert our opinion.

Nice to get information from an educated sports psychologist and a female perspective that played the game.

And I love Sue's 33% rule-the other third didnt get the memo and it reflects here often

PGSAKen said:

Appreciate the post and apologize for the normal lets disect everything on this forum and insert our opinion.

Nice to get information from an educated sports psychologist and a female perspective that played the game.

And I love Sue's 33% rule-the other third didnt get the memo and it reflects here often

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come on, I'm trying to compete with the same enthusiasm in this thread as in the (rose olored glasses thread) someones as to get it started. they are on a roll over there post #690

nanotech14 said:

come on, I'm trying to compete with the same enthusiasm in this thread as in the (rose olored glasses thread) someones as to get it started. they are on a roll over there post #690

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lmao-I dotn think I have the attention span of that 60 page monster......squirrell

sluggers said:

I agree that college athletes should be able to visit with their family between games at a double header. But, really, so what? There isn't much time between games anyway....maybe 30 minutes. Put a "post game pity party" and a bathroom break together, and the kids don't have any time anyway.

Onegame, you are writing the post about college players. I'm not sure I agree with younger age groups. Girls have a terrible tendency to form cliques. Inevitably, three or four girls start separating themselves from the rest of the team between games. If the rule was, "Oh, you can go sit with your parents between games", then some girls would use that as a way to form a clique. If you don't require the kids to sit together, you'll soon not have a team.



Awkward...perhaps "focus" would have been a better choice than "arousal".

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I completely agree that youth athletics is a whole different monster. I'm not sure what my rule would be as a coach at that level. However, I do think it makes a difference at the collegiate level. In my experience, the parents brought a huge spread of food for the players, parents, and coaches during the break between games. When we were allowed, it was nice to visit with those who support you 100% despite your performance in the previous game. It also brought a sense of unity between all the parts that make the program possible; parents, players, coaches, fans, and athletic staff members. On the other hand, maybe it only worked in our program because everyone played a supportive role. All I know is, as a player, it was helpful in recharging my battery between games.

The first time I heard arousal used that way, I thought it was awkward too. However, it's the language that is used in a sport psychology theory that examines the opportune "arousal" level for athletes to perform at their highest potential. It's just what I'm used to.

I think at any age you should be able to go see family between games time permitting. No matter how bad a kid did, it's great to see Grandpa or Aunt Jan and especially Mom and/or Dad. I sometimes feel bad for the TB kids whose parents coach as I'm sure it's a little ambiguous between games if they are talking to Dad or coach. I strongly feel however, that kids should stay in the dugout during the games.

nanotech14 said:

come on, I'm trying to compete with the same enthusiasm in this thread as in the (rose olored glasses thread) someones as to get it started. they are on a roll over there post #690

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WOW. I avoid the Technical Hitting Forum because, well I just do. But since you mentioned it, I had to go and check out the Rose olored glasses thread. Wow is all I can say and I am only 8 posts in.