The festive season can be intense. It can offer lots of wonderful times but also present a lot of challenges.

Our experience of a time like Christmas is often dependent on what is going on in our home life, with our family and our financial situation. As a result, it can bring up numerous emotions, both good and bad. And that goes for adults and children alike.

As we approach Christmas, it is important that we, as coaches, are aware of all of this and consider the impact this may have on the players we are working with. We might notice differences in how they behave and maybe even a change in performance levels.

Of course, these are things we should always be aware of, but they may become more prevalent as we entire a time like the festive period.

The challenge is to try to look beyond the behaviour or the performance and consider what our players might be going through that we can support them with.

How your players might be feeling

Excited

Some players won’t be able to wait for Christmas. They might be excited about the thought of time off school, presents, celebrations and seeing family and friends. 

They might have wonderful memories of Christmases they have experienced so far and be counting down the days until they can enjoy it all again.

Uncertain

Some players won’t quite know what to expect. They may have experienced good and bad Christmases in the past and wonder what the coming one will be like.

They might be unsure if their family has the money to get them presents and, as a result, be thinking about if their experience will match up to that of their peers.

Alternatively, they may simply not like disruption to their normal routine.

Scared

Some players, though, will know that Christmas isn’t going to be a good time.

They may be going through some difficult times at home, and feel being there for an extended period of time, without the respite of school, will be a challenge. 

The thought of Christmas may be overwhelming. They may see it as a time of being alone and isolated.

Indifferent

Some players simply won’t be that bothered. It may just be another time of year for them and they roll with it.

A mix of emotions

A lot of players will probably experience a mix of the above, and lots of other emotions, over the course of the festive period.

One day they might really be looking forward to Christmas; the next, they might be nervous about what’s to come.

Might not celebrate it at all

It is important to remember that not all of our players will celebrate Christmas, due to following a different religion, their own personal background, or just through choice.

Yet in countries where Christmas is traditionally celebrated, it is often impossible to avoid. Bear these players in mind when joining in the celebrations.