How Athletes Transition Between In and Out of Season

By Jocelyn Kay

The transition athletes make from playing in one season to not playing the next is a challenging one. The shock between two months of non-stop practice, games, and teammates, into nothing, is very hard for many athletes.

Most teams enter the playoffs with high expectations, hoping to extend their seasons as far as possible. This feeling is the strongest within seniors, who, for many, will be their last time playing a team sport in this way. One loss within the playoffs means that the team is done, creating many hard games and strong feelings. Senior Luisa Farole described being knocked out as “horrible and depressing.” It was “overwhelming because you go from two months every day, this is your thing, to it suddenly it one minute being over.” 

On the other hand, the end of the season can be “bittersweet,” like senior Lena Fleshner described it. “Half of me feels empty because I know I won't be able to play the sport that brought me so much joy with the same amazing people ever again, but the other half of me is overflowing with happiness from all the memories and experiences the last four years with this team has brought me.”

Both Farole and Fleshner shared this sentiment of community and how the teams and people they have met through them remain important. “Being close to my team has helped,” said Farole, “we all share similar emotions, and continuing to connect with each other has made the transition less severe.”

One of the positives of the fall season ending is that the athletes have more time due to the lack of practice. The additional time lets these athletes add many extracurriculars like other sports, theater, or more work time, without as strong a routine, which can lead to procrastination. The mix between student and athlete ends with the fall season, and since the season starts over the summer, sports abruptly stopping can lead to the following week feeling empty. 

There are many feelings from players once the season comes to a close, but the communities and friendships created during the season last far beyond the last game. Once the initial shock wears off, the love of exercise and relationships created by high school sports remains beyond the season.