Here’s a story from the AFL which highlights why the off-season can be a real danger period for elite athletes.  Unlike most other employees who tend to spread their annual holidays throughout the year, footballers and cricketers especially are forced to take their holidays in a big block.  Worse still, they’re all on holiday together which further adds to the problem of group behaviour.  I can’t say I necessarily agree with everything in this article, especially when it tries to paint “pressure” as a major factor.  Pressure? Playing sport for a living?  The Aussie cricket great Keith Miller who also flew fighter jets in WW2 was once asked if he was affected by pressure when playing Test cricket.  “Pressure is a Messerschmidt (German fighter plane) up your arse.  That’s pressure!”

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/don-mclardy-blames-afls-pressure-cooker-environment-for-players-rebelling-in-the-off-season/story-fnelctok-1226529267260