What do you do if you suspect an athlete is experiencing burnout?

Here is what you can do: - Identify the signs of burnout: the signs can show as performance drop, lack of enthusiasm for training or competing, physical or mental fatigue, etc. - Initiate a conversation: approach the athlete in private - Encourage rest and recovery: both physical and mental - Develop a recovery plan - Monitor progress: keep in touch with the athlete to monitor progress - Educate on burnout prevention: identify strategies to prevent future burnout

Set time aside separate from any training session, for a 1-on-1 with the athlete as a 'well-being check-in'. Frame it as an informal chat, asking open-ended questions which address the athlete's feelings and emotions. E.g. Is there anything you feel more stressed about than usual? Try to get the athlete to elaborate if they have short answers, stating that you would like to understand how they feel. This should help keep the conversation open and to build trust between you and the athlete, so that they feel confident disclosing to you.

I will sit down and lay out a schedule that’s broken down every 30 minutes. We include everything from getting ready to free time. It is also color coated. The reason I do this is to allow student athletes to mentally break down their day instead of them feeling the sense of being overwhelmed constantly. They are able to focus on managing 30 minute increments. They will see their free time block in a color. For the brain it reminds itself they have a break in the busy day. I also require them to fit at least 30 minutes of something that brings them joy. Without that intense a schedules are unsustainable.

One way to adjust training is to add a fun, spontaneous element or location. It separates from the stress of the regime causing burnout and allows athletes to simply enjoy the activity again. This could be a fun warm-up activity, a friendly competition or collaborative exercise. It can also be applied to mental training and motor skills rather than the sport directly. It helps the athlete to disconnect mentally almost as if performing a 'reset' and creates an enjoyable environment.

When you suspect an athlete is going through burnout, make sure to chat with them in a supportive way, letting them express their thoughts openly. Keep an eye on how they're doing physically and mentally, watching out for signs like exhaustion, decreased performance, irritability, or loss of motivation. Stay updated on their progress by regularly checking in with them, adjusting your approach based on how they're feeling and what they're saying. Remember, burnout can really mess with an athlete's well-being and performance, so it's vital to tackle it head-on and offer the right kind of support for their recovery and success.