Overtraining/overuse?

post reply Forum Index » Soccer
[Post New]05/12/2022 12:33
quote
SoccerQs
Member Offline
If you have a kid who loves to play soccer, and plays a lot of soccer, what steps or limits do you put on him/her to prevent overtraining/overuse injuries?

I have a U12 boy whose doctor is concerned that overuse is a factor in a recent injury. He's suggesting that DS take the summer off from soccer, which we can do this summer, but I wonder what it means for next year once he moves up, because MLS Next teams (his goal) seem to run from September to mid July.

Also, if you stop your kid from playing soccer, do you stop things like pick up, or practicing on his own in the backyard? Or just team membership? If they just do something else (summer swim, sports camps for another sport, playing basketball in the neighborhood) does that still help?
[Post New]05/12/2022 13:09
quote
SoccerCzar
Member Offline
SoccerQs wrote:If you have a kid who loves to play soccer, and plays a lot of soccer, what steps or limits do you put on him/her to prevent overtraining/overuse injuries?

I have a U12 boy whose doctor is concerned that overuse is a factor in a recent injury. He's suggesting that DS take the summer off from soccer, which we can do this summer, but I wonder what it means for next year once he moves up, because MLS Next teams (his goal) seem to run from September to mid July.

Also, if you stop your kid from playing soccer, do you stop things like pick up, or practicing on his own in the backyard? Or just team membership? If they just do something else (summer swim, sports camps for another sport, playing basketball in the neighborhood) does that still help?


This overuse stuff never made much sense to me for soccer players. What is being over used? His legs? What sport doesn't use your legs? To your point, what is a kid supposed to do, take 3 months off and sit on the couch? I understand swimming is low impact but even when my kid goes to the pool, he spends most of his time running around. When I think of overuse injuries, I think of pitchers in baseball not soccer players who run, jump, slide, kick, etc. However, I think playing multiple sports is great for soccer players. I think basketball, volleyball, football (flag or tackle), and others are all good supplements for soccer. With that said...my kid has played soccer year round for the past 8 years I guess and so far so good. When he played other sports, he played soccer and that sport. He never stopped playing soccer. There are always burnout concerns but if your kid loves it, let him play...as much as he wants. If your son hasn't started strength training yet, I would encourage that. Builds strength and injury prevention. Start with body weight and start adding weights.
[Post New]05/12/2022 14:57
quote
SoccerQs
Member Offline
Well, the concern is coming from a Sports Medicine specialist, so I feel like I have to take it seriously.

The injury is to his wrist, he's a GK so his wrists are probably more at risk than for players who play other positions.
[Post New]05/12/2022 16:04
quote
Blutarski
Member Offline
SoccerQs wrote:Well, the concern is coming from a Sports Medicine specialist, so I feel like I have to take it seriously.

The injury is to his wrist, he's a GK so his wrists are probably more at risk than for players who play other positions.


Geez, I dunno. I think it's really hard to get enough reps catching the ball for overuse to be a factor. If you're playing baseball and you're a catcher or pitcher maybe, but not as a GK.
Adolescent boys probably get more cycles from jerking off than from catching soccer balls.
[Post New]05/16/2022 09:51
quote
DCUdad
Member Offline
SoccerQs wrote:Well, the concern is coming from a Sports Medicine specialist, so I feel like I have to take it seriously.

The injury is to his wrist, he's a GK so his wrists are probably more at risk than for players who play other positions.

(Parent of two GKs here...) There is nothing wrong with taking a chunk of the summer off from handling the ball. You won't "lose it" that fast, and everyone is a little rusty when they come back in August. However, this may be the perfect time for him to work on his feet. If he wants to play at a high level, he needs to be good with his distribution and touch (both feet). And most GKs under-train this aspect of their game. So use the summer for that. (And work on some hand-eye coordination stuff -- learn to juggle tennis balls or something low impact on his hands/wrists.)

When he comes back, make sure to tape his wrists every time he trains with his hands. Use pre-wrap and athletic tape (J&J Coach tape tears well) just like a wristband right below his hand (there are YouTube videos or ask a trainer or your sports medicine dude).
[Post New]05/16/2022 10:37
quote
SoccerQs
Member Offline
DCUdad wrote:
SoccerQs wrote:Well, the concern is coming from a Sports Medicine specialist, so I feel like I have to take it seriously.

The injury is to his wrist, he's a GK so his wrists are probably more at risk than for players who play other positions.

(Parent of two GKs here...) There is nothing wrong with taking a chunk of the summer off from handling the ball. You won't "lose it" that fast, and everyone is a little rusty when they come back in August. However, this may be the perfect time for him to work on his feet. If he wants to play at a high level, he needs to be good with his distribution and touch (both feet). And most GKs under-train this aspect of their game. So use the summer for that. (And work on some hand-eye coordination stuff -- learn to juggle tennis balls or something low impact on his hands/wrists.)

When he comes back, make sure to tape his wrists every time he trains with his hands. Use pre-wrap and athletic tape (J&J Coach tape tears well) just like a wristband right below his hand (there are YouTube videos or ask a trainer or your sports medicine dude).


OP here,

I think there are two different things going on. One is that he needs to heal the injury to his wrist.

But the other is that the doctor is saying that he's spending too many hours on soccer and on sports in general, and should plan on taking the summer off this year and every year. Not just because of his wrist, because the next injury could be another body part. I'm not clear whether a summer "off" from soccer would include working with on his feet like you suggest or not.

Thanks for the taping suggestion!
[Post New]05/16/2022 11:04
quote
DCUdad
Member Offline
SoccerQs wrote:
But the other is that the doctor is saying that he's spending too many hours on soccer and on sports in general, and should plan on taking the summer off this year and every year. Not just because of his wrist, because the next injury could be another body part. I'm not clear whether a summer "off" from soccer would include working with on his feet like you suggest or not.

Well, that is pretty odd, unless there is some diagnosed condition that makes him more susceptible to injury than most kids. If not, and this is just some general warning that this doctor would give to any soccer player, then I'd say it's quite unusual, or you are misunderstanding what they are saying. Sure, kids need some time off from training over the year -- even professionals do. But the idea that you are risking injury by not taking an entire summer off from soccer is hard to justify. And as you say, it's mostly running and jumping -- are they not going to do those anyway?

So, I'd ask for a clarification: is this general advice they would give to any soccer player of similar age, or is it specific to your child? If the latter, why? If the former, you can kinda ignore it as over-protective or find another doctor.
[Post New]05/16/2022 11:18
quote
SoccerQs
Member Offline
DCUdad wrote:
SoccerQs wrote:
But the other is that the doctor is saying that he's spending too many hours on soccer and on sports in general, and should plan on taking the summer off this year and every year. Not just because of his wrist, because the next injury could be another body part. I'm not clear whether a summer "off" from soccer would include working with on his feet like you suggest or not.

Well, that is pretty odd, unless there is some diagnosed condition that makes him more susceptible to injury than most kids. If not, and this is just some general warning that this doctor would give to any soccer player, then I'd say it's quite unusual, or you are misunderstanding what they are saying. Sure, kids need some time off from training over the year -- even professionals do. But the idea that you are risking injury by not taking an entire summer off from soccer is hard to justify. And as you say, it's mostly running and jumping -- are they not going to do those anyway?

So, I'd ask for a clarification: is this general advice they would give to any soccer player of similar age, or is it specific to your child? If the latter, why? If the former, you can kinda ignore it as over-protective or find another doctor.


It matches the recommendation from most major organizations that relate to sports medicine for kids.

Here's the AAP

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/119/6/1242/70751/Overuse-Injuries-Overtraining-and-Burnout-in-Child

And NATA

https://www.nata.org/press-release/101619/national-athletic-trainers-association-releases-official-statement

The recommendations seem to be pretty universally:

No more than 5 days a week of training, with 2 days off

No more than one sport per season

At least 2 - 3 months off from the sport per year.
[Post New]05/16/2022 12:20
quote
anonimouswon
Member Offline
Definitely make sure the wrist injury heals thoroughly. You don't want it to linger by not fully recovering.
[Post New]06/13/2022 08:26
quote
socacoach88
Member Offline
I am a phd student in human and sports performance and work with a lot of soccer players at my gym..I would suggest taking the summer off from playing soccer and focus on building physical qualities of the game this will for sure reduce the likely hood of injuries as long as you work with a professional that understand how to properly program for an athlete age.
[Post New]06/13/2022 08:34
quote
soccerVA1
Member Offline
For this summer, I would have him rest until his wrist is healed. Going forward, if he plays futsal, I would have him stop that and take the winters off. My DD’s goalie trainer has said that futsal is terrible for goalies because the ball is heavier and more likely to result in a broken wrist. My DD plays futsal occasionally but is not on a regular team over the winter.
[Post New]07/14/2022 18:41
quote
soccermum79
Member Offline
socacoach88 wrote:I am a phd student in human and sports performance and work with a lot of soccer players at my gym..I would suggest taking the summer off from playing soccer and focus on building physical qualities of the game this will for sure reduce the likely hood of injuries as long as you work with a professional that understand how to properly program for an athlete age.


As a mother of a club and HS soccer player, I wholeheartedly disagree that there isn't overuse in youth sports in general! High school soccer raged on 5 practices or games for 2 hours a week. I can't tell you how many injuries there were on both JV and V teams from overuse. They feel pressure to be on the field and play through injury. Creating more injuries! I was appalled to hear how many athletes were at the trainer on a regular basis for injuries. These are not professional players with access to top-notch trainers, conditioners, world-class equipment, etc. but they get played like they are. You seem like you get it. I can't believe some of the replies brushing off "over use" injuries. The amount of knee surgeries with soccer players should be the first indication that its not normal wear and tear...

My soccer players swim over the summer to keep us with conditioning and also train once a week on technical skills. Getting back in shape has never been an issue for them.
post reply Forum Index » Soccer
Message Quick Reply
Go to: 

Search   Recent Topics   Hottest Topics