While working in other sporting worlds, we are constantly reminded of how different our rodeo athletes are from other professionals. Take the off-season for example: other sports plan entire months to allow for athletes to rest, recover from injury, rejuvenate, and prepare for their upcoming season. The off season is a crucial time heal, recover, and come back stronger however this extended time off is not the norm in rodeo. While some athletes will take a couple of months off to recover from surgery or more serious injuries, most cowgirls and cowboys are only given weeks between their 2023 Finals, and the first events of the 2024 season! With such a tight turnaround, it’s even more important to do everything you can to get the most out of your time off. Here are some things you can do to maximize your off-season:
Your mental game
During the season, you are subject to a lot of mental stress. An initial period of complete rest in your off-season is recommended to give yourself that much needed mental break. Once you feel ready and can be objective, it’s a good time to go back and evaluate your season: identify the things that worked well and those that didn’t. Once you do this, you can create a plan for next season targeting areas of improvement and how to achieve the goals you set.
Sleep
Sleep is one of the best ways to recharge and regenerate during your off-season recovery. When you first go into off-season mode, you may feel overly sluggish and tired. That’s simply your body knowing that it can now take advantage of a lower energy demand: go with it! Off-season recovery sleep will likely be some of the best you’ll get all year.
Injuries
We know you have ‘em, so now’s the time to take care of ‘em! If you don’t have a serious injury, there are probably some aches and pains that you’ve been putting up with during last season. Seeking help from an athletic therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor is a great first step (www.prorodeosportmed.com/find-a-caregiver-2 if you need to find someone near you!). It can be as simple as completing the rehab exercises you’ve been prescribed, and using any home recovery tools you have access to: think the foam roller, theragun, lacrosse ball, or heating pad that has been collecting dust all season!
Physically prepare for next season
You will have specific demands based on your event, your personal goals, and the physical qualities you bring to the table. Starting or revamping your personal strength training program with the help of a qualified professional will allow you to maximize the returns during your off-season. If you aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got you covered through one of our three Rodeo Spring Training Camps. Head to www.prorodeosportmed.com or check out our socials for more information and to register. Let us do the planning for you and get your 2024 season off on the right foot!