Burn Out

[almosthuman]

Who cares if they burn out? What does burn out keep them from? "It is better to burn out than fade away!"

[Clean_up]

Our team (12U) gives the girls one Sunday a month off and in some cases an entire weekend
(Easter, 4th July, etc), depends on upcoming tournaments, etc. We also schedule a couple team parties, pool parties, Knotts Berry Farm, Movie nights during the Spring/Summer to keep the team bonding and also giving them a break.

I also think playing a second sport, like Volley Ball in HS during the Winter, keeps them conditioned but not 100% focused on just softball. If the athlete is strong, this won't be too much of a negative on TB team or HS Softball tryouts, again the volleyball season is Fall/Winter and most HS coaches know some good players will be participating in another sport.

[Skarp]

I think it is important to be cognizant of what burn-out really is. Burn out isn't working too hard, burn-out isn't "being tired". Burn-out is the actual or perceived realization that the effort they are putting into something, beit sports, professional life/work, or otherwise, wasn't worth the outcome. What they have left in their hand doesn't weigh equally to what they put into what is in their hand in the first place. That is burn-out.

Good working definition. Which is why arbitrarily imposed time off makes no sense either. As long as the activity is worthwhile to her, why limit her involvement?

[Clean_up]

I think it is important to be cognizant of what burn-out really is. Burn out isn't working too hard, burn-out isn't "being tired". Burn-out is the actual or perceived realization that the effort they are putting into something, beit sports, professional life/work, or otherwise, wasn't worth the outcome. What they have left in their hand doesn't weigh equally to what they put into what is in their hand in the first place. That is burn-out.

Good working definition. Which is why arbitrarily imposed time off makes no sense either. As long as the activity is worthwhile to her, why limit her involvement?

I don't think limiting involvement is a solution, but providing a mixture of other activities may prevent the feeling of "effort not worth the outcome". Sacraficing a large portion of their social life is a major part of playing this sport; however, if you are able to provide a reasonable amount of healthy social activity, small breaks during the season, etc., IMO it will help create enough balance to keep them loving the game.