What many coaches and, sadly, some parents don’t seem to get is that young kids are not readily able to distinguish between the failure to succeed and their own self-worth.
Is My Child Ready to Play a Certain Position?
From a conditioning perspective, no child, starting pitcher or novice, should take the mound without a well-rounded, carefully executed twenty- to thirty-minute warm-up.
Are Travel Teams Essential?
Should my nine-year-old play on an elite team? Many of her friends are doing this, but I worry that it will be too much stress and infringe too much on our family time.
Why Free Play is Key to Young Athletes’ Success, Ottawa Citizen
Danny Almonte was the star of the 2001 Little League World Series. In three games, the lanky, fireballing pitcher from the Bronx gave up three hits, one run (unearned) and struck out 62 of the 72 batters he faced. And like major league baseball superstars Mark McGwire, Alex Rodriguez and many others, Danny Almonte was also a cheat. His father had falsified his birth certificate […]
Too Much, Too Soon
Like millions of American boys, Joey Smith dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player.
Create an Alternative Narrative: A Different Way to Score Your Child’s Game
We all have stories from our personal sports biographies, and that’s fine, but as parents our deep wish should be that our kids develop their own stories.
Take a Cue from Your Kids: One Parent’s Eye-Opening Travel Team Trip
I want to share an experience I had with my son Tommy’s U12 basketball team, which really put things in perspective for all of us.
Why Shouldn’t We Want to Win at All Costs?
We have found that the most successful coaches, teams, and programs are driven by different principles of success. Winning is a by-product of their efforts, not the main focus.
Does It Matter if I Don’t Have a Sports History?
I’m worried that my lack of experience and success in sports is going to bias my child’s sports experience. I don’t feel very confident about coaching or guiding him. What should I do?
Scott Lancaster’s Introduction to “Beyond Winning”
What troubles me most about today’s youth sports culture is that children are not the primary focus.