Shelf Life

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Protecting an Athlete’s Shelf Life - Southside Hoops Guide Rails for Coaches & Parents

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1. Shelf Life is Real

• Every athlete has limited mileage, energy, and passion for their sport.

• Treating kids like college athletes too soon leads to burnout.

• Our goal: help them peak in high school and beyond, not wear out early.

 

2. Love First → Competition Later

• The biggest mistake: never giving kids the chance to fall in love with the game.

• Michael Jordan said his love for basketball carried him through the grind.

• If they love it, they’ll endure it. If they don’t, they’ll quit.

 

3. The Danger of Over-Organizing

• Kids today have less freedom to just play.

• Too much structure = less joy, less creativity.

• Over-organization can lead to overuse injuries, mental fatigue, and early exits from the sport.

 

4. Healthy Alternatives

→ Encourage multi-sport athletes (3+ sports through middle school)
→ Fuel creativity – pickup games, 3-on-3, invent their own rules
→ Right ratios – Younger: 70% training / 30% competition; Older: 60/40
→ Celebrate effort – High fives, energy, positivity
→ Don’t coach mad – Free kids to play with passion, not fear

 

5. Our Role as Adults

• Protect their shelf life.

• Build their love for the game.

• Celebrate effort more than outcome.

• Remember: Love > Fear.

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