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Sunday 27 August 2023
Making the Cut Camps Update and Fall Sessions
Tuesday 22 August 2023
Should My Child Progress to a Higher Level or Age Group in Sports?
August 26, 2022
I recently received an inquiry from a parent of an athlete regarding the ongoing Camp at our Academy.
"Is it possible for my child to transition to a higher group in the camp? Can the group she's currently in be modified to increase its competitiveness? The current gameplay does not align with her usual standards."
This concern echoes a common sentiment among parents and athletes. The prevailing notion is that playing in an older age bracket accelerates an athlete's growth and overall skill development due to its heightened intensity. However, it's essential to underscore that the coach should initiate the decision to move a player to a different tier or age group rather than parents or athletes. Here's my perspective on this topic:
In the Canadian amateur sports landscape, we often observe an athlete's tendency to constantly seek a higher tier until they find themselves at the lower end of skill within a group. Younger players frequently aspire to be part of superior teams, hoping this exposure will hone their talents. However, I firmly believe that young athletes blossom not merely by playing alongside better players but by uplifting and enhancing the skills of their teammates. A top-tier player shoulders the responsibility of leadership, steering the game's tempo and setting the standard of gameplay.
For the child in question, continuously advancing through groups might eventually position her as the least skilled player, slowing down the game's pace. The pertinent question here is: How would this potential upgrade benefit the entire camp or club?
If she's accustomed to a rigorous gameplay rhythm, the onus is on her to elevate her current group's standard. Should she lack the leadership or proficiency to enhance her team's performance, then perhaps she isn't ready for an advanced tier. It seems she yearns for more skilled players to set the game's tone, allowing her to merely participate at that level.
If she genuinely craves a more dynamic gameplay, I urge her to take the initiative and create that environment.
Elevating to a superior level can often be a double-edged sword. While it exposes players to heightened competition, it might also relegate them to the sidelines due to their relative skill set in the new group. Some of the most promising athletes never truly cultivate leadership attributes because they're constantly sandwiched in the middle tiers of higher-level teams.
Of course, generalizations have their limitations. For certain athletes, progressing to an elevated level could indeed be the catalyst for their growth. When a coach identifies such potential, in collaboration with the parents and athlete, a transition might be the right path forward.
Dr. Darren Cannell
ChatGPT's thoughts on this issue.
Navigating Athletic Progression: Moving Up in Age and Skill Levels
When parents witness their child excelling in a particular sport, a common question is: "Should my child advance to a higher level or age group?" It's an understandable question, driven by the desire to nurture the child's potential to the fullest. However, several nuances need to be considered.
1. Skill vs. Maturity:
While a young athlete may possess the technical skills to compete at a higher level, we must remember that sports aren't solely about physical capability. Emotional and mental maturity plays a crucial role. Engaging with older athletes can sometimes be daunting and may introduce pressures that younger athletes aren't prepared for.
2. Leadership and Team Dynamics:
Sports are as much about individual prowess as they are about teamwork. Being a standout player in a current age group offers opportunities for leadership and understanding how to elevate team dynamics. There's immense value in learning how to guide and uplift peers, a skill that might be sidelined if one is constantly in the shadow of older, more experienced players.
3. Growth and Consistency:
Constantly being at the top isn't necessarily the best vantage point for growth. Encountering challenges, facing failures, and bouncing back are essential aspects of an athlete's journey. If athletes continually seek levels where they're among the less experienced, they might miss out on these growth opportunities.
4. Coach's Insight:
Coaches interact with athletes regularly and can gauge their skills, adaptability, mental resilience, and team dynamics. Their recommendation about moving up a level should be given significant weight, as it comes from a place of expertise and firsthand observation.
5. Playing Time and Exposure:
In a higher age group, there's a possibility that the athlete might get less playing time. Being a star player in a current age group ensures more gameplay, which might be more beneficial than sporadic play in an advanced group.
In conclusion, while the allure of advanced play levels is evident, the decision should be holistic, factoring in the athlete's overall well-being, growth prospects, and long-term aspirations. It's essential to foster an environment where the athlete feels challenged yet not overwhelmed, ensuring a balance between skill enhancement and personal development.
Sunday 28 November 2021
Wearing a mask while exercising FAQ
Wearing a mask while exercising FAQ
Wearing a mask is one way to slow the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Yet many people see a mask as a potential barrier to exercising, particularly when away from home.
Whether you're already comfortable wearing a mask while exercising or hesitant about exercising with a mask on, these questions can help you decide the safest way to approach staying active.
Is it safe to wear a mask while exercising?
Yes it's safe to wear a mask while exercising, but considerations should be made. For example, it's recommended that you perform low- to moderate-intensity exercise rather than vigorous exercise while wearing a mask. This is because of the decreased airflow allowed through the mask which can affect breathing and your ability to properly regulate body temperature.
Examples of moderate-intensity exercise include:
- Walking briskly at 2.5 MPH or faster
- Recreational swimming
- Bicycling slower than 10 MPH on level terrain
- Recreational tennis, particularly doubles
- Active forms of yoga, such as vinyasa or power yoga
- Ballroom or line dancing
- General yardwork and home repair work
- Exercise classes, such as water aerobics
Remember to try the talk test. As a rule of thumb, a person performing a moderate-intensity aerobic activity can talk, but not sing, during the activity. A person performing vigorous-intensity activity cannot say more than a few words without pausing for a breath.
Depending on the activity, is there a preferred type of mask that I should wear?
Cloth masks or masks made of a moisture-wicking material like polyester typically work well. Paper or surgical masks tend to break down because they become wet from sweat and increased exhalation that occurs during exercise. Mask material should be no more than two layers thick or less. You should not use an N95 mask while exercising, as these masks have been found to increase levels of humidity, heat, breath resistance and overall discomfort.
You also may want to consider having a spare mask on hand to replace a damp mask. A great way to maintain good hand hygiene when changing masks is to carry a travel size container of hand sanitizer with you.
Who should not use a mask while exercising?
It's recommended that people with chronic diseases exercise alone at home, under supervision when required, without using a mask. Some of the most common illnesses include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, occupational lung diseases, like mesothelioma, and pulmonary hypertension.
What should happen when exercising with a mask on?
In most situations, you should expect to experience an increase in your heart rate while exercising with a mask on. Because of this, people often experience a perceived increased rate of exertion and decreased performance during resistance training and aerobic exercise. This feeling is similar to the physical and psychological effects experienced while training in locations at higher altitudes.
Before you exercise with a mask on, consider decreasing your exertion level ― that means weight with resistance training or mileage in aerobic activities, like running and biking ― to a lower level than you would have done when not masked.
If you wear a mask while exercising, be aware of:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscular weakness
- Overall discomfort
- Shortness of breath
If you experience these symptoms, stop and take a break until they subside. If able, remove your mask and try taking a few calming breaths. This can restore your breathing levels, and reduces the stress on your heart and lungs. If these symptoms continue or worsen, stop the activity. In serious cases, seek medical help.
Jeremy Amundson is a licensed athletic trainer in Sports Medicine in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Sunday 16 August 2020
Drawing Digitally -How I sold my painting to a Restaurant
How I ended up with my artwork in a local restaurant.
Thursday 6 August 2020
Drawing Digitally - 21 Digital Paintings with Raindrops Ipad drawings by Darren Cannell
Does adding rain to paintings make them spooky or romantic? Check out these 21 digital drawings of rainy scenes.
Thursday 30 July 2020
Drawing Digitally - 28 Big Cats Ipad drawings by Darren Cannell
Out of all the animals, big cats are so majestic and fun to draw. Eyes on the cats make them seem alive. Here are 28 big cats that have been digitally drawn by Artist Darren Cannell.
Friday 24 July 2020
Drawing Digitally - 19 Human Face Ipad drawings by Darren Cannell
Drawing faces has never been one of my first choices when drawing but I have done just under 20 that I thought I did a half-decent job.
I hope you enjoy them.
Thursday 16 July 2020
Drawing Digitally - 45 Bird Ipad drawings by Darren Cannell
I love drawing birds because of how proud and majestic they are.
Friday 10 July 2020
Artist Darren Cannell shares 40 older water and palm tree paintings from his past.
Waves and Palm trees - I am so missing going to these places so I can paint some digital palm trees as the waves are crashing on the beach.
Wednesday 8 July 2020
Drawing Digitally -Three stage Birdhead Ipad and Apple Pencil Drawing
Took three tries to get it to the stage I wanted.