Time Management Tips for Youth Athletes: Creating Balance and Success
Time management can be a challenge for adults, let alone kids juggling multiple sports, school, and the constant allure of phones and tablets. If your twirler (or your twirling students) hasn’t learned how to structure their week to balance friends, activities, and outside-of-class practice, it’s time to equip them with skills that will set them up for success—not just in twirling, but in life.
Here’s how to help your athlete take charge of their time using block scheduling and effective planning.
1. Start with a Visual Schedule
The first step is creating or finding a daily calendar. Printable templates or digital planners like Google Calendar or apps like Cozi can work well. If you prefer a physical option, consider using a whiteboard or a pre-designed weekly planner. Having a clear visual reference helps young athletes see how their week looks at a glance.
2. Block Out the Non-Negotiables
Start by marking the time commitments that can’t be moved, such as:
- School hours
- Homework
- Scheduled practices, lessons, or games
This step reveals the open blocks of time you have left during the week for other activities.
3. Tailor the Schedule to Your Twirler’s Preferences
Every child is different, so it’s essential to build a schedule that works for them. Discuss their natural rhythms and preferences:
- Are they more focused in the morning or the evening?
- Do they need time to decompress after school, or do they prefer to jump into practice right away?
- How much time do they feel they need to practice each week, and what goals are they working toward?
Customizing the schedule ensures they stay motivated and engaged.
4. Maximize Practice Flexibility
If gym time is limited or travel is a factor, brainstorm ways to practice at home. For instance:
- Work on stretching, flexibility, or core strength.
- Practice rolls or other drills in a safe space.
- Watch technique videos or analyze past performances for improvement opportunities.
Adding variety can make practice more enjoyable and productive.
5. Incorporate Other Responsibilities and Activities
Don’t forget to add other weekly tasks, such as:
- Household chores
- Part-time jobs (if applicable)
- Family commitments
This step helps ensure nothing is overlooked and teaches your twirler how to manage competing priorities.
6. Look for Opportunities in Small Time Blocks
You don’t need hours at a time to make progress. Help your twirler identify smaller chunks of time—like 15-30 minutes—to work on skills or conditioning. A quick morning stretch, a 20-minute practice session after school, or a focused evening drill can add up to significant progress over the week.
7. Protect Downtime and Balance
A packed schedule can lead to burnout, so it’s crucial to leave unscheduled time for relaxation and fun. Whether it’s hanging out with friends, pursuing a hobby, or simply unwinding, downtime is just as important for growth as practice. Teach your twirler that balance is key to staying motivated and happy.
8. Review and Adjust as Needed
No schedule is set in stone. At the end of each week, review the plan with your twirler to see what worked and what didn’t. Adjust for upcoming events, goals, or changes in priorities. This process teaches flexibility and accountability.
Pro Tip: Use Tools for Accountability
Encourage your twirler to check off completed tasks or track practice time using tools like a planner, habit tracker, or an app like Habitica or Forest. Seeing progress visually can be a great motivator.
Empowering Young Athletes Through Time Management
Teaching time management and block scheduling gives youth athletes an invaluable life skill. By helping your twirler balance their commitments while leaving room for downtime, you’re setting them up for success—not only in twirling but in everything they pursue.
With a clear schedule and a little guidance, they’ll be able to tackle their goals, stay on top of responsibilities, and still have time to enjoy being a kid.
Need a planner just for twirlers or for yourself?
Check out our twirling planner for twirlers here. Written by twirlers for twirlers - this is definitely a tool worth having for any twirlers.