"My child might have talent, right!? Many children have been seriously engaged in sports such as soccer, baseball, and hockey since childhood. Childhood is a time when children learn quickly and can improve to a certain level just by practicing. Many parents, including myself, have moments when they think, 'Could my child have talent!?' At such times, if there is an invitation from a coach to the elite course, it is inevitable to start rigorous training without refusal.
However, later on, as they age, they struggle to improve, and the 'rigorous training out of haste' results in injuries. They retire without being able to demonstrate their talent at the world level, succumbing to what some may not want to hear, the common case of an 'elite breakdown.' Now, where were the problems?
Trusting the coach too much?In popular sports, there are many players, so there is often a system of 'pyramid survival,' where only the players who climb up to the top group are nurtured. That is, players who cannot climb up are considered unnecessary. It is important for families who understand the child's condition to assess the speed of growth and provide appropriate advice.
Incompatible training methodsIf standardized teaching methods are adopted, factors such as the age of each player, body size, and preferred learning methods are not considered. It is absurd to disqualify athletes as 'elite' just because they do not grow according to the coach's expectations. I know several world-class athletes who dislike training (adjusting the amount and method of training themselves). In many cases, what coaches refer to as 'disliking training' often means that players dislike following existing training menus, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Disliking existing training menus often means having one's own opinions and may be an opportunity to find efficient training methods that suit oneself. Some even argue that a good coach teaches 'nothing,' implying that the most effective training methods are those that players find for themselves.
Is physical growth the priority?In early childhood, before playing sports, it is said to be important to establish basic life rhythms such as 'sleeping well' and 'eating well.' Prioritizing early elite coaching while ignoring the timing of a child's muscle and skeletal growth or insufficient nutrition and rest necessary for growth is problematic. At the very least, one should strive to avoid sports injuries that could cause inconvenience later in life. While accidents may be unavoidable, injuries can often be prevented through daily physical maintenance. I have seen many injuries that could have been avoided through daily physical maintenance. For example, during play, twisting and falling, in a worst-case scenario, severe ankle sprains on both sides, possible damage to the knee from extending it. Rest for 6-8 weeks, start precise examinations. Withdrawal from the game, unfortunately, the season ends. In a better scenario, twisting the ankle, it hurts from the shock of the fall, but after applying ice, there is no bruising or swelling, and no pain remains. 'No problem for tomorrow's game!'
These two scenarios lead to significantly different outcomes. Being able to maintain an active career without injury for a long time inevitably means: 1. more time to improve skills, 2. more games played, and 3. the potential for rivals to disappear for various reasons, ultimately getting closer to victory. And above all, it means 'being able to enjoy your favorite sport for a long time.' In other words, 'minimizing injuries through conditioning is the most important thing for an athlete,' in my opinion as a massage therapist."