The Netball NSW Performance and Pathways team have put together a few tips to support performance through athlete wellbeing and training management as athletes transition out of isolation and back on court.
Take some time to reset your team goals, culture and values.
Reconnect with you athletes, ask them:
- How are they feeling about returning to netball?
- What are they looking forward to?
- What are their concerns or challenges?
Understand what a safe training environment looks like in the COVID-19 context and clearly let all athletes know of the expectations.
Recognise and accept that this season is not normal.
Focus on the long game and give your team time to build up fitness, skills and team-work.
Know what you want the end of the season to look like, make a plan, focus on the priorities and then slowly, week by week work toward your plan with gradual increases in:
- Volume – how long each training session is
- Intensity – how hard each training session is
- Frequency – how often you are training
Be aware that a fast increase in workload is a major risk factor for injury and can happen when returning to full training after a long period of inactivity, such as COVID break:
As you start match play rotate your players and start with shorter games at training.
Encourage and empower all your athletes to set short-term goals.
Keep on checking in with athletes – How are they feeling?
Enjoy the Challenge
