Life is a balance for everyone, especially for students. A single day can be divided between many activities, with long school hours taking up the most time. Many students participate in athletics after school, increasing the difficulty to find balance. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to take a step back from a sport for a season.
“I usually do track, but I just wanted a break,” junior Danielle Westhoff said. “It’s difficult because while I’m doing track, I’m also playing volleyball, so balancing school, track and volleyball is kind of stressful.”
Stress can play a big role in deciding to take an offseason from a sport but sometimes, it’s as simple as losing interest in the activity. This is common for dual-sport athletes. It can be difficult to pour time and energy into a sport when there’s another that is preferred.
“I played soccer freshman year,” sophomore Madi Schaffrin said. “I didn’t enjoy it anymore. I would always find myself complaining about it. So instead, I’m gonna play tennis in the offseason. I like tennis a lot more.”
Though it can be difficult to remain active and encouraged in the midst of an offseason, taking time off from a sport can help to foster motivation to return next season.
“I’m hoping that I gain motivation to do it again next year and that this offseason I keep interest in track and the meets and all of that stuff,” Westhoff said.
A difficult aspect of taking time off is returning, feeling not as skilled as one could have been if they had stayed engaged in their sport. Volleyball player Eashaan Patel experienced this in the return from his previous offseason.
“I was really focusing on school,” senior Patel said. “I did go to open gyms, but those were mainly for fun. I think I’m way further behind but that’s fine, I’m still having fun. I genuinely just joined to be with the team. They’re just a bunch of guys that I’ve been with for a long time. Even now, they still make me feel really included.”
It’s easy to lose interest in a sport and sometimes, it’s inevitable. Taking time off can help to return with a fresh perspective.
“I was able to take a step back and slow down,” Patel said. “If you’re feeling yourself pull away from a sport or something that you love, taking some time away can be beneficial in coming back to it with a new lens.”
