Growth spurt

Just a general question for coaches.

My son just had a growth spurt (2 1/2 inches since summer).

He now looks awkward doing his routines.

He also seems to be having more problems with his strength.

Pullups and dips seem harder for him than they use to be.

He is working out just as hard now as he was before the spurt.

Is this typical pattern? Any suggestions?

He is starting to get a little discouraged.

He feels he is going backwards while his teammates are getting better. None of them has had a growth spurt yet.

Thanks

It happens. Just keep working hard and it will eventually all even out.

Completely natural and happens to everyone. The awkwardness and reduced strength to weight ratio are to be expected until he adjusts to his new center of gravity and heavier frame.

Tell him not to worry, his teammates time to suffer is coming. 8)

Yours in Fitness,

Coach Sommer

Dont worry he´ll be back!

My son was in the exact same situation in 2009. He kept on training and had a tough year and a half. He even lost som of his skills and obviously got weaker. He was also unlucky to break his left underarm with 6 weeks in a cast and then 6 weeks of rehab + being scared of getting up (in the highbar) to perform the same skill again. Now he is back better than ever and realy wants to go and train.

You and your sons coach has to support and encourage him and tell him that this is something natural and it will happen to his training friends as well. I will quote Coach Sommer:

Young athletes quit primarily because this drop in performance was somehow unexpected for them and their coach . To me this is unacceptable; I begin preparing my athletes to psychologically handle their forthcoming growth spurt when they are 10-11 years old. They understand that it is a vital and necessary part of their physical maturation that, once completed, will lead to vastly improved performance levels.

You can also read the hole thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=1901#p11986

Good Luck and NEVER give up! :twisted:

Thanks for the encouragement. I felt that was the case, but it is comforting to get validated by people who see it all the time.

I will definitely let my son know.