--- title: Are there downsides to elite sports training? description: Coach Class, a 2016 Duke lacrosse graduate, discusses possible downsides to elite sports training! image: https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image.png --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/are-there-downsides-to-elite-training#main-content) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) [![First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2026%20Logo/Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png?width=990&height=660&name=Primary%20Logo%20with%20Trademark.png "First Class Lacrosse, Deemer Class, Best In Class")](https://www.1stclasslax.com/) - [About Us](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about) - Events - Best In Class - [Fall 2026 Showcase Men's and Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-fall) - [Fall 2026 Women's Spark](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-spark) - [Winter 2026 Women's Committed](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-committed-womens) - [Winter 2027 Men's & Women's Showcase](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-winter) - [Summer 2027 Men's & Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class) - [Summer 2027 BI3 Showcase Men's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/bi3) - [Summer 2027 Sixes Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-committed-sixes) - [Event Hotel Information](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-hotels) - [High School Nationals](https://www.1stclasslax.com/high-school-nationals) - [Summer Camp](https://www.1stclasslax.com/summer-camp) - [Trainings](https://1stclasslax.sprocketsports.com/all-programs/category/1756) - [Athlete Program](https://www.1stclasslax.com/athlete-program) - [Coaches Membership](https://www.1stclasslax.com/coaches-membership-community) - [Media](https://www.1stclasslax.com/media) - [Shop](https://shop.1stclasslax.com/collections/all?utm_source=website&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=merch) [Member Login](https://login.circle.so/sign_in?request_host=first-class-lacrosse.circle.so) [Support](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about/faqs) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu ![FirstClass-Logo-web\_7e1a2719-Aug-04-2022-06-00-10-36-PM](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/FirstClass-Logo-web_7e1a2719-Aug-04-2022-06-00-10-36-PM.png?width=200&name=FirstClass-Logo-web_7e1a2719-Aug-04-2022-06-00-10-36-PM.png)   [Member Login](https://login.circle.so/sign_in?request_host=first-class-lacrosse.circle.so) [Support](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about/faqs) - [About Us](https://www.1stclasslax.com/about) - Events - Best In Class - [Fall 2026 Showcase Men's and Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-fall) - [Fall 2026 Women's Spark](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-spark) - [Winter 2026 Women's Committed](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-committed-womens) - [Winter 2027 Men's & Women's Showcase](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-winter) - [Summer 2027 Men's & Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class) - [Summer 2027 BI3 Showcase Men's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/bi3) - [Summer 2027 Sixes Women's](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-committed-sixes) - [Event Hotel Information](https://www.1stclasslax.com/best-in-class-hotels) - [High School Nationals](https://www.1stclasslax.com/high-school-nationals) - [Summer Camp](https://www.1stclasslax.com/summer-camp) - [Trainings](https://1stclasslax.sprocketsports.com/all-programs/category/1756) - [Athlete Program](https://www.1stclasslax.com/athlete-program) - [Coaches Membership](https://www.1stclasslax.com/coaches-membership-community) - [Media](https://www.1stclasslax.com/media) - [Shop](https://shop.1stclasslax.com/collections/all?utm_source=website&utm_medium=nav&utm_campaign=merch) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/firstclasslacrosse) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/firstclasslacrosse/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-class-lacrosse?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F) [X](https://twitter.com/firstclasslax_?s=20&t=E0teTtYfCs-3LdkMj5A7hw) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@firstclasslax?sub_confirmation=1) [Tiktok](https://www.tiktok.com/@firstclasslacrosse) 3 min read # Are there downsides to elite sports training? [![Picture of Deemer Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Blogs/Deemer%20Headshot.jpeg) Deemer Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/deemer-class-bornbaltimore-md-deemer-has-playedthe-highest-levels-of-the-game-professionally-division-1-and-the-most-elite-high-school-conferencethe-country-deemer-is-widely-r) : Published February 9, 2023 Updated August 6, 2024 [Mental Performance](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mental-performance) ![Are there downsides to elite sports training?](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image.png) Want to head into the 2023 season with an edge over other players? Get exclusive access to our [Preseason Players Guide](https://form.jotform.com/230326187188056) by filling out our feedback survey. Your feedback helps us improve your experience with FCL and deliver content based on your needs and interests.  Just click the button below, submit your responses, and you'll automatically get a copy of the Preseason Guide as a thank you from us. You don't want to miss this defensive and offensive preseason prep that Deemer Class and Dunn curated specially for you. #### [Defensive Content ![Defensive Teaser](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Newsletter/Teaser%20Guide/Defensive%20Teaser.png)](https://form.jotform.com/230326187188056) #### [Offensive Content ![Offensive Teaser Image](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hubfs/Newsletter/Offensive%20Teaser%20Image.png)](https://form.jotform.com/230326187188056) **[SHARE MY FEEDBACK AND GET THE GUIDE](https://form.jotform.com/230326187188056)**   ## Are there downsides to "Elite" training? 6 years ago "Small Group Training" was in its infancy. We launched our trainings because the focus was on large camps, showcases and tournament events, versus less development. Now, “elite”, the “best coaching ever” , the “BEST” talent, “max reps” are all used to market most small group sessions. Families are often after "ELITE", but here are a few things you might want to consider:  ### 1.  Mental Balance In a training environment, being around better players has its benefits. But sometimes, there can also be adverse affects. Performance anxiety, fear of failure & unwillingness to ask questions can arise. Some players don't want to look silly and ask a question in front of peers because they want to impress. There needs to be some balance. Often players go to 2-4 "elite" sessions in a week with multiple trainers. Where is your time to balance your own yard work, your own creativity, and free play?  Additionally, this is time for growth, not to "impress".  Sometimes, we can also use a "booch em up" (a term we used in college) where a player just needs a little confidence and boost to build back up if they're in a rut. We have consistently offered 1 hour a week of training for our players this past year in hopes that they have more of this time otherwise.   ### 2. Leadership When you train with younger kids, or kids with less talent, there are leadership and communication qualities you can learn and develop. How do you bring them along with you? How do you communicate? Do you "palms up" every time they mess up a rep, or can you help the coach coach them up?  These are rarely tapped into as training with younger, or seemingly lesser players, is often avoided and looked down upon. Another hidden benefit of being less concerned with who's in your group or being open to more cross age training!   ### 3. Overload vs Underload Similar to point 1, a constant overload to pressure, intense drills, & critical feedback can wear on an athlete combined with their other practices. Always being told what you're doing wrong can also just have a diminishing return and wear a player down. Underloading through play, mixed ages/talent, and FUN, can unlock more than you realize mentally. It can be GOOD to dominate against younger players, or "feel" like you're a honcho in a group. Just like it can be GOOD to be surrounded by a lot of players better than you that might make you feel that "oh snap, I have some work to do!". Like I mentioned above, there's a balance, and most often focus on things that overload! ### 4. Mentorship Parents, have you ever wanted an older player to take your son / daughter under their wing? Someone to guide that's not you, or even their coach? These relationships can be born out of training and who you grow up around. However, do you encourage it the other way around? Are you asking your son or daughter to grab the other player struggling, or a younger player who needs to be shown the ropes?  Some of our older athletes have carried that mentorship idea into our trainings and the positive impact is immeasurable. It sometimes can be harder to come by if you are only so concerned with being around what you consider "elite" players or peers.    ### 5. Environment Players get to college and sometimes go “whoa, I’m surprised some kids aren’t as invested as I thought they’d be!" More talent doesn’t always mean better environment. Rather, YOU help create the environment and it becomes infectious. It's about what you do with it.  How are you contributing to the environment? How are you lifting up those around you? Often players and parents get too concerned, in my humble opinion, with who else is in the group. Instead, focus on what you control and can bring to the group, and in turn, I think you'll find that you make the most out of your training! I think all of these things are simply things to consider when assessing training options. Do we run what we think is elite training? Of course! I don't intend this to be another message where we say one thing and do another. I simply want families to consider their options and stay open minded to the different benefits out there. I also say this as I've found it hard in my one area to establish pickup games because everyone is so scheduled! You don't always need several "Elite" trainings to get better. More isn't always better... I hope you found this helpful and if you are ever looking for mentorship or program consulting, please let us know!   ### - Coach Class   ### Get Premium content for players, parents or coaches Check out our community and become a member to view drills, webinars, film breakdowns, courses and more. Usecode*BLOG15 for an exclusive discount to our membership community on Circle!* **[Join Today 👉](https://www.1stclasslax.com/players-and-parents-membership-community)**   - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) #### [Fall Back on Your Training](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/fall-back-on-your-training) [![Picture of Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Dunn%20Headshot.png?width=30&name=Dunn%20Headshot.png) Matt Dunn](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/matt-dunn-matt-dunn-graduated-from-the-university-of-maryland2016-and-is-currently-a-professional-lacrosse-playerboth-the-premier-lacrosse-league-pll-for-the-whipsnakes-lc-and) : Mar 24, 2023, 11:00:00 AM At Maryland our coaches would use a military expression to reinforce our fundamentals and approach to the little things: “you don’t rise to the... [Mental Performance](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mental-performance) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/fall-back-on-your-training) #### [FCL Session 1: Intro to Mindfulness](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/fcl-session-1-intro-to-mindfulness) [![Picture of Emily Perrin](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Emily%20Perrin.png?width=30&name=Emily%20Perrin.png) Emily Perrin](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/emily-perrin) : Nov 11, 2022, 8:43:33 AM Over the last decade the elite athlete community has transitioned towards placing more of an emphasis on the mental aspect of sport. [Mental Performance](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/tag/mental-performance) [Read More](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/fcl-session-1-intro-to-mindfulness) #### [The Power of an Additional Voice](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/the-power-of-an-additional-voice) [![Picture of Deemer Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blogs/Deemer%20Headshot.jpeg?width=30&name=Deemer%20Headshot.jpeg) Deemer Class](https://www.1stclasslax.com/blog/author/deemer-class-bornbaltimore-md-deemer-has-playedthe-highest-levels-of-the-game-professionally-division-1-and-the-most-elite-high-school-conferencethe-country-deemer-is-widely-r) : Apr 5, 2023, 11:00:00 AM When I first started coaching and running clinics, I often heard the sentiment, we are saying the same things, but our kids hear it differently... 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