When do they get a break?

[clarity]

"decompress mentally"

What does this actually mean?

 

[DryHeat]

Well, DD got last week off after HS playoffs were done and before the travel team started practice. She got a couple weeks around Christmas, and a couple last August after tryouts which followed PGF by no more than a week or so. HS spring SB season was actually the 'easy' time because even tho it is 5 days a week, she is home by 6:00 and very little weekend time. Fall is the hard time because travel is going strong, but her other HS sport has her at school until 5 or as late as 7:00 on some match days.

So yeah, there's really not much time off.

 

[Agbracing]

It really depends on what her goals and aspirations are as to time off. Every kid is different and only they know what is most important to them. There are so many different situations in school ball and types of players on the team. Within a few miles I know of teams that literally will take anyone that agrees to play on varsity to a team that is practically full of elite level A class players. If vacation and basketball is her top priority but she wants to get better then someone needs to help her develop a plan. When available lessons would be good if she is willing to put in some work at home to develop the skills that lessons teach her. Same with camps great resource for learning skills but working at home is important. She could also find a travel team that might have open practice. She could go when available and get in on a team practice without a full commitment. The coach probably just wants the players working and developing over the summer for varsity. The easiest is to just play travel ball but there are plenty of options to get plenty of work in to get better and still enjoy her summer plans. Most coaches don’t really care how they get better just as long as they get better.

 

[Dabears17]

DD lost a close play-off game yesterday. Club team had a 4 hour, 15 minute practice today. DD has finals this week, so will miss Tuesday's practice because of finals Wed and Thur. She will miss Thursday due to the Junior-Senior Banquet at her school. First tournament of summer Sat-Mon.

 

[DonnyS]

Very early on in my DD's journey as a pitcher we asked her pitching coach when she should take time off...her reply was "why, is she injured?" That pretty much set the tone. We will back down volume at various parts of the year, but rarely take any time completely "off." We will take two weeks off this summer for international vacation as well, but will take J bands, a ball, and focus on stretching and core work. We have taken two-three weeks off for beach vacations before, but take the gloves and a ball with us for pitching...on the beach. We finished HS ball a couple of weeks ago and DD couldn't wait to start TB again. First TB practice this week...honestly looked like the team already had the last two+ months "off" from playing high level softball. All of the girls recognized it.

But through all of this...she is the in drivers seat.

 

[CrazyNani]

It really depends on what her goals and aspirations are as to time off. Every kid is different and only they know what is most important to them. There are so many different situations in school ball and types of players on the team. Within a few miles I know of teams that literally will take anyone that agrees to play on varsity to a team that is practically full of elite level A class players. If vacation and basketball is her top priority but she wants to get better then someone needs to help her develop a plan. When available lessons would be good if she is willing to put in some work at home to develop the skills that lessons teach her. Same with camps great resource for learning skills but working at home is important. She could also find a travel team that might have open practice. She could go when available and get in on a team practice without a full commitment. The coach probably just wants the players working and developing over the summer for varsity. The easiest is to just play travel ball but there are plenty of options to get plenty of work in to get better and still enjoy her summer plans. Most coaches don’t really care how they get better just as long as they get better.

So the coach spoke again to her now that the season has ended and let her know that he recognizes her potential and just wants to make sure she works on certain things this summer. That made her feel a lot better about things and she seems more confident about her role on the team next year and accepts the fact that she will have to work, one way or another. It’s all psychological to her. She just needs to know the coaches believe in her and she’s good to go. She suffers from imposter syndrome so does need encouragement at times.

 

[Bullseye]

So the coach spoke again to her now that the season has ended and let her know that he recognizes her potential and just wants to make sure she works on certain things this summer. That made her feel a lot better about things and she seems more confident about her role on the team next year and accepts the fact that she will have to work, one way or another. It’s all psychological to her.

Conclusion nothing to do with taking a break.

 

[Hustle LI]

I agree with other posters. She needs to find her own break based on her desires and wants. In most cases the travel reams, even at b or high c level are better than the hs varsity team. I would encourage keeping travel and dropping school if she could only do 1, unless she is in a school with a top notch program

 

[CrazyNani]

It’s a very good H.S. program that plays against good competition for the most part. Everyone on the team plays travel, A level. The head coach coaches an 18u team that some of the HS girls are on. They all have teams though, maybe except for a couple of the girls.

 

[_MIA_]

I would encourage keeping travel and dropping school if she could only do 1, unless she is in a school with a top notch program

Without knowing what her goals are?