Young, talented athletes can reach a point when they’ve become bored with rec league play. As a parent, you may ask yourself, “what can I do to help my child reach their potential? A travel team may be the best way for them to learn new skills, meet expert coaches, progress in their sport, and have fun in the process. Children need to be challenged to be able to grow both physically and emotionally. Participation on a competitive travel team allows for both.
If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you’ve had the opportunity to learn about various factors needing to be considered to maximize your child’s safe and healthy participation both on and off the field. These factors include advocating for proper emergency action plans for practice and competition venues, education in health and safety, proper nutrition and hydration practices, sleep habits and environmental monitoring such as lightning and heat illness. If you missed any of these topics, I encourage you to go back and read them. They’re great resources! We also stress the importance of having policies and recommendations written down so there’s no confusion or ambiguity. Consistency is key.
What happens when your child’s team hits the road to play? New fields, teams, and experiences mean players may be at an increased risk of injury when they’re traveling. Understanding the differences that exist on the road vs. home is critical as every road trip to a new area introduces different circumstances and challenges.
Sleep patterns are disrupted when the children are away from home and in unfamiliar beds. Bedtimes and sleep quality may be altered due to having roommates on the road. Often, travel teams participate in different time zones where an acclimation program may be beneficial. Athletes don’t have access to the same meals when they’re on the road and, often, the only option is fast food, which doesn’t lend itself to proper nutrition providing maximum performance. How can these factors be mitigated prior to the team leaving for a tournament?
We’ve outlined the importance of having a clear written emergency action plan that’s practiced regularly with the appropriate parties involved. What happens on the road? What if a serious injury occurs in an unfamiliar area? Do you know what plans are in place to help protect your child? It’s not safe to assume the host team or venue is prepared for serious injuries or emergencies. It’s up to you and your child’s coaches to ask questions. If you’re not satisfied with the answers, are you sure your child will be safe? Will there be appropriate water/hydration stations provided? If not, how can you ensure dehydration doesn’t become an issue? Are there shaded areas for the team to rest during breaks between games? Is the host organization following best practices when it comes to heat illness and severe weather policies? Do they know what the best practices are?
Finally, parents and coaches planning overnight tournaments should make note of local hospitals or walk-in clinics ahead of time. Ideally, no one will ever visit them, but knowing where they are can save time and increase the chance of a positive outcome. Anyone who’s ever traveled with a team full of young athletes understands that injuries don’t always occur just on the field. They can and do occur in just about anywhere.
Travel ball can be exciting for your child. The opportunity for new friendships, developing their talents, and continuing to play the game they love can make memories and develop positive habits lasting a lifetime. Although the health and safety of your children should be of primary importance, kids shouldn’t have to worry about that when playing ball. It’s why they have you.
The Pros and Cons of Youth Travel Teams (verywellfamily.com)
10 Things To Consider Before Signing Your Athlete Up For A Travel Team - TeamSnap Blog | TeamSnap
