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PCA Voices

"Social Distancing" Allows Athletes To Prepare

by Troy Pearson

03.18.2020

Our sports world is not immune to current COVID-19 culture as professional, amateur, recreational and youth sports are on hiatus, leaving a massive gap in lives and communities. 

What can sports teach us during this current state without games, practices, training, etc? 
This youth sports hiatus can be a tremendous time of personal preparation.

Abraham Lincoln famously said, “I will prepare and someday my chance will come.

Although we see him as a larger-than-life heroic figure, that statement really meant something to him especially earlier in his career. He lost eight elections, opened and lost two businesses and had a nervous breakdown. All the while, he believed those things were merely “preparation” for when his time came

While this train of thought doesn’t exactly speak directly to the “social distancing”, cancellations and uncertainty of COVID-19, it DOES encourage people to take this time simply to “prepare” for whenever their time comes.

During this temporary off-season of sorts, Positive Coaching Alliance encourages athletes’ coaches and parents to spend time mastering fundamentals, doing skills/drills stuff in their homes, focus on health/strength/flexibility and nutrition and rest, etc. Studying and creating a positive mindset during this challenging period can prove to be tremendously valuable in the young athletes’ development. 

Visit www.PCADevZone.org for helpful and valuable resources.

In 2013, at the inception of PCA-Minnesota, Troy joined the Chapter as a local trainer. Troy delivered the first series of workshops and was excited to be involved with the grassroots endeavors as the Chapter gained notoriety, acceptance, and traction. For Troy, it was thrilling to participate in building up the trainer corps and help grow partners at all levels, seeing the state embrace the concepts and principles of PCA. In 2018, Troy became Executive Director for the Chapter, and now oversees the success of the Minnesota Chapter.