The QBE Sydney Swans Academy is implementing a new approach to training to reduce the risk of young players suffering injury and burnout.
Academy general manager, Chris Smith, has become increasingly concerned about the burden facing young athletes as they balance academic, sporting and social expectations.
Smith, who has overseen the Academy since its inception in 2011, says it’s becoming difficult for players to manage the increasing load from AFL commitments at school, club and the Academy, as well as other demands.
“Many coaches, parents and players believe more is better. We want to modify that belief because in many cases it’s not sustainable,’’ Smith said.
“The priority should be for young players to be fit and raring to go for games on the weekend. They don’t need to train five days a week to do that – in fact it’s counter-productive. I see many boys who are over-training.’’
The Academy is asking players to assess their weekly load and encouraging a ‘less-is-more’ approach that emphasises flexibility, and quality of training over quantity.
The new approach came after a survey of 650 Academy players last year. The results showed 82% were participating in three or more formal sports programs a week - requiring anywhere between five to eight training sessions a week and multiple games on weekends.
“We’re now telling our young players that rest, and time spent practicing informally with friends or at the park, actually enhances their long-term prospects of playing at the elite level.’’
To solve the over-training issue, this year the Swans Academy is introducing a points rating system - called Physical Load Assessment or PLA - based on an individual player’s training and playing activity.
When an Academy member has numerous training and game commitments and the rating goes beyond a certain score, the Academy advises the player to ease back to avoid injury and mental and physical fatigue.
The Academy is asking members of all ages to calculate their points per week, adding up each training session and all games they play.
PHYSICAL LOAD ASSESSEMENT
This is how the PLA system works:
For training:
One Academy training session is rated 2
One club AFL training session is rated 1.5
One school AFL training session is rated 1
Other sport training is rated 1
For playing:
An Academy Cup game is rated 2 (3 for Top End players aged 16-19)
A club AFL game is rated 2
A school AFL game is rated 1.5
Other sport eg basketball games are rated 1.5
LOAD RATINGS
6-7: The player can safely add some informal training, going for a run or having a kick at the park with friends
7.5-9.5: The player is training and playing at a sustainable, effective level
10-11.5: The player is at high risk of injury or fatigue. They should discuss this issue with club, school and Academy coaches and aim to drop at least one training session or modify a training session
12 and over: The player is in serious danger of injury or burnout. They should immediately discuss the issue with club and school coaches and the Academy
For example:
“Tom” is 15 years old and in Year 10 at school.
He currently plays football for his school, for his local club and is a member of the Swans Academy.
He trains twice a week with the Academy (4 points), two mornings a week with his school (2), and once a week with his club (1.5).
He then plays a school AFL game on Saturday morning (1.5), and a club AFL game on Sunday (2).
Tom’s total for the week is 11 points.
Chris Smith says a schedule such as “Tom’s’’ is not unusual - but it is not sustainable. He says players should have at least two days a week with no formal training or game.
Smith says young players whose load rating is 10 or higher firstly need to speak to their school or club AFL coach to discuss how they can reduce the demands. “We are encouraging them to ask their coaches if they can do a modified training session, or assist with coaching duties instead of doing some training sessions, so their load drops to at least 9.5 points,’’ Smith said.
The Academy is also playing its part. If school or club coaches can’t modify or reduce sessions, Smith says players should consult their Academy coach. “We’re also very willing to help them by reducing Academy sessions if needed,’’ Smith said.
“At the Academy we want the boys and girls involved in our program to have balance, to remain involved and enjoying AFL, not burning out.’’
