You know the look. They walk into training slower than usual. Not as chatty. Not as sharp. Not really “in it.” And suddenly you’re wondering…
Do they even want to be here anymore?
Before jumping to motivation or attitude, here’s something we’ve learnt from watching many of young athletes. Kids rarely lose passion first. They lose energy first. And there’s usually a really simple reason why. Let’s break it down.
1. They’re Probably Under-Fuelled (This happens all the time)
Young athletes burn through energy like crazy. Between school, sport, growth, social life, and just being a kid… their bodies need a LOT more fuel than most people expect. If they show up to training without enough in the tank, their body literally slows them down to protect itself.
You might notice: low focus, sluggish movement or moodiness
Try a simple pre-training snack 60–90 mins before. E.g. banana + yoghurt or cheese + crackers. Nothing fancy. Just something.
2. School Drains Way More Energy Than We Think
Training might only be 2 hours. But school is 6–7 hours of:
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concentrating
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social navigating
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sitting still
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learning
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managing friendships
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dealing with pressure
By the time training starts… they’ve already had a full day. Give them a 20-minute reset between school and training if possible.
Snack. Water. Quiet time in the car. No heavy questioning. That small reset works magic.
The Oso Reminder Every Sport Parent Needs
Low-energy sessions don’t mean your child is losing their love for sport. Usually it just means they’re: Growing, Learning, Tired, Busy, Human.
The goal isn’t perfect training every day. The goal is helping them stay confident enough to keep showing up. Because that’s where the magic actually happens.
Keep this in mind:
“Behind every flat training session is usually a kid doing their absolute best.”
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