The holiday season is a busy time for families and athletes. Between school breaks, travel, celebrations, and packed schedules, training routines often get disrupted.

For many parents and athletes, this leads to one big question:

Should athletes keep training during the holidays — or take time off?

The answer is balance, not extremes.

Why the Holidays Are a Natural Reset for Athletes

Most youth athletes go nonstop throughout the year. School sports, club teams, practices, games, and tournaments rarely slow down.

The holiday season creates a natural opportunity to:

• Reduce physical and mental fatigue

• Let the body recover from long seasons

• Reset movement quality

• Rebuild motivation

• Address small aches before they become injuries

This doesn’t mean athletes should stop moving completely — but it does mean training should look different.

The Value of Rest for Youth Athletes

Rest is not a setback. It’s a performance tool.

Proper rest helps:

• Muscles repair and grow stronger

• Joints recover from repetitive stress

• Hormones regulate properly

• Energy levels reset

• Burnout risk decrease

Athletes who never rest often feel slower, weaker, and less motivated — even if they’re training more.

Why Light Training Beats No Training

Instead of pushing intense workouts, the holiday season is ideal for light training and movement-based sessions.

Effective holiday training includes:

• Mobility work

• Bodyweight strength

• Core stability

• Low-volume speed mechanics

• Technique-focused lifts

• Recovery circuits

These sessions help athletes:

• Maintain strength

• Stay coordinated

• Improve movement quality

• Return to full training feeling refreshed — not behind

Mental Recovery Matters Too

The mental side of youth sports is often overlooked.

Time away from rigid schedules allows athletes to:

• Enjoy their sport again

• Train without pressure

• Reset goals

• Spend time with family

• Come back motivated

A mentally refreshed athlete often makes faster progress than one who never slows down.

How The Ave Approaches Holiday Training

At The Ave, we view the holiday season as a strategic phase, not lost time.

Our approach focuses on:

• Reduced volume, high-quality movement

• Emphasis on recovery and technique

• Keeping athletes active without overload

• Preparing bodies for the next training phase

This helps athletes return stronger, healthier, and more confident heading into the new year.

Final Thoughts

The holiday season isn’t about stopping progress — it’s about protecting it.

By prioritizing rest, recovery, and light training, youth athletes set themselves up for better performance, fewer injuries, and long-term success.

Train smart. Recover fully. Start the new year ready.