Episode: Burnout

In this episode, Coach Nick tackles the growing issue of burnout in youth and university-level football. With players juggling multiple teams, camps, private training, and year-round schedules, it’s easy to lose motivation and hit a wall. Nick shares signs coaches should watch for, the role of multi-sport participation, and strategies to build rest and recovery into your program. The goal is clear: football should be a process of growth, not a grind that breaks players down.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout is becoming more common among young football players who train year-round without breaks.
• Signs of burnout include loss of motivation, low energy, slow engagement at practice, or emotional outbursts.
• Playing multiple sports can relieve pressure while keeping athletes active.
• Coaches should normalize rest: build downtime into schedules, use bye weeks for recovery, and encourage players to step away when needed.
• Development-focused environments—like seven-on-seven—help athletes grow without overloading their bodies.
• Mixing up practices with themed days or focus drills can reduce monotony.
• Exhaustion is not a badge of honour—it undermines performance and development.
• Coaches must manage pace and pressure to build athletes up rather than wear them down.

If you want to get in touch, find me here:

Email: coachrockell@hotmail.com

Instagram: @coachrockell

X: @coachrockell

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone

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