We’ve all been there. You hit that point in the season where the energy starts to dip, the excitement from the first few weeks feels like it was ages ago, and it seems like everyone, athletes, coaches, even parents, is running on empty. The mid-season funk can creep up on you, and let’s face it, they’re tough to shake off. But here’s the thing: that mid-season funk? It doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, it could be one of the best opportunities you’ll have all season to reset and refocus. Turning the mid-season funk into opportunity can be challenging.
Time to Reevaluate Team Goals
Alright, let’s talk about this. By the middle of the season, things might not be going exactly how you imagined. Maybe you set some ambitious goals at the beginning of the year, but now they seem like a distant dream. Or maybe your athletes have hit a plateau. This is a great time to stop and think: Are those goals still relevant? Have they evolved? Mid-season is a perfect time to reset and recalibrate. Instead of letting that frustration fester, sit down with your athletes, talk about progress, and maybe even set some new short-term goals that’ll get them excited to push forward.
Spice Up the Practice Plan
We’ve all been there—staring at the same old practice routine and thinking, this again? It’s easy for athletes to get bored if you’re running through the same drills week after week. This is when you get to have some fun as a coach! Change things up. Get creative. Maybe it’s a fun competition, a new drill, or a completely new focus for the day. Throwing a little variety into your practices is a great way to reenergize the team and keep everyone on their toes.
Build Resilience and Shift the Mindset
Here’s the deal: adversity is part of the game. And that mid-season funk? It’s a prime opportunity to teach your athletes how to handle setbacks and challenges. Instead of letting them focus on the frustration of losing a few games or not improving as quickly as they’d hoped, shift the focus. Help them see that it’s all about the journey, not just the destination. If they can learn to embrace the grind and keep pushing forward, that’s when the magic happens.
Open Up Communication
This is the time when your athletes might start feeling the weight of the season. Some might be tired, others might be frustrated, and a few might even be ready to check out. As a coach, this is where you can really make a difference. Take the time to check in with your team—individually and as a group. Have an honest conversation about how everyone’s feeling. Let them know it’s okay to be frustrated, but remind them that you’re all in this together. Sometimes, just knowing their coach cares and is open to hearing what’s on their minds can be a game-changer.
Focus on Individual Growth
Not every athlete is feeling the mid-season funk the same way, right? Some are likely pushing through and loving it, while others might need a little more support. Check in with your athletes individually and see where they’re at. Maybe someone’s struggling with confidence, while another needs more time working on their technique. By addressing their individual needs, you’re not only helping them out of the funk, but you’re also setting them up for growth in ways they didn’t even realize.
Embrace the Downtime
If you’ve got any time to hit the reset button, whether it’s a light practice day or a week off, take it. I can suggest some great books here. Your athletes need to recharge physically and mentally just as much as they need to keep working hard. Don’t underestimate the power of rest. Sometimes a little break is all it takes to get them back in the game with a fresh mindset.
The Bottom Line: It’s All About Building Resilience
At the end of the day, the mid-season funk isn’t something to fear—it’s an opportunity. It’s a chance for your athletes to prove they can push through tough times, learn from their mistakes, and bounce back stronger. As a coach, this is your moment to help them grow not just as athletes, but as people. And if you’re able to embrace that mindset, you’ll come out the other side of the season with a team that’s more resilient, more connected, and more ready for whatever comes next.
So, the next time the mid-season funk hits, don’t panic. Use it. Turning the mid-Season funk into opportunity can turn it into your coaching opportunity of the year.
Just a reminder, if you are looking for more learning opportunities, check out the free webinars I am offering this summer:
The Coach Playbook: Supporting Your Athlete’s Mental Game (June 26th)
The Parent Playbook: Supporting Your Athlete’s Mental Game (June 26th)
