A break from training doesn’t mean a break from development. Right now you have time to work on the areas there is often no room for during the season.
1. Review your season
Answer 3 questions:
- What am I proudest of?
- What was my biggest challenge?
- What has this season taught me?
2. Set your direction for next season
Write down:
- One sporting goal,
- One mental goal,
- One habit that will help you achieve them.
3. Strengthen your mental game
Spend a few minutes a week on:
- Mindfulness training,
- Sports visualisation,
- Keeping an athlete’s journal.
4. Recharge your batteries
Real recovery is not just physical rest. Make time for relationships, hobbies and activities that bring you joy outside sport.
5. Come back stronger
The best athletes use the break not only to rest, but also to lay the foundations for the next season.
Don’t just ask “how can I train more?” Also ask: “how can I develop more wisely?”
Find out more about sport psychology:
👉 Mistakes are an inevitable part of sport – even at the highest level
👉 Consultation with the psychologist of Jagiellonia Białystok, a Polish top-flight club (in Polish)
Frequently asked questions
What should you do in the break between seasons?
The author suggests five steps: review the season, set a direction for the next one, work on your mental game, recharge your batteries and lay the foundations for your return.
What questions should you ask yourself when reviewing the season?
Three: what am I proudest of, what was my biggest challenge and what has this season taught me.
How many goals should you set for the new season?
Three written points: one sporting goal, one mental goal and one habit that will help you achieve them.
Is recovery just physical rest?
No. Real recovery also includes relationships, hobbies and activities that bring you joy outside sport.
