Throughout my coaching career, I got many emails and letters from parents, but one question I was asked often was “How do I deal with my child’s recent injury? He/she is emotional, scared, and unsure about the long road back to recovery.” This is a difficult time for any parent – and athlete – and…
DetailsThe recent tragic death of Utah youth soccer referee Ricardo Portillo has once again highlighted the need to make drastic changes in the youth sports environment. Portillo was killed after being punched in the face by a 17 year old player that had been cautioned on the previous play. Once again, the ugly side of…
DetailsIt was quite sad to read the article below regarding the state of elite travel baseball by Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel Reporter Amy Shipley, and to watch the embedded video. It is sad because these parents are clearly well intentioned, and love their boys, but just cannot see the forest through the trees. Read the article,…
DetailsOne of the questions I am often asked is “How do I change my kid’s attitude toward sports? He just does not seem into it anymore, and he is not putting any effort in.” This is a situation that can be very confusing and discouraging for both children and parents, as well as cause stress…
DetailsAs parents and coaches of young athletes, we spend a great deal of our time and energy focusing on our children’s performance. We look at their efforts, their results, and their commitment. We help them set goals, and do our part to help them achieve those goals by taking them to and from training and…
DetailsIt’s getting close to that time of year when we resolve to make positive changes in the upcoming year: New Year’s Resolution time! Here is a resolution to add to your list. It is not one that will help you lose weight or get fit physically, but it can make all the difference in building…
Details“If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier.” ― John Wooden, UCLA Basketball Coach As the holiday season approaches, we are often reminded to be thankful for all our blessings that we have received the past year. As we sit with our closest friends and family, and…
DetailsYouth sports can become an all encompassing component of childhood, and for that matter, parenthood. As we shuttle kids to practices, games and tournaments, we can easily forget about the big picture. We can lose sight of the main reasons we put kids in sports in the first place. If we want our children to…
DetailsI recently read an article in the NY Times by Ken Belson about the suspension of Pop Warner Football coaches in Massachusetts for creating an unsafe playing environment. (Click Here to read Article) The article discusses the penalties imposed on coaches of two teams in a mismatched game, during which 5 players on the ‘smaller’ team were diagnosed…
DetailsToday’s children need youth sports to teach them valuable life lessons and core values more than they have ever needed them in history. As recently as 15 years ago, popular television and music still exemplified many family values that we would consider, positive, such as friendship, caring, and respect, but that has all changed. The…
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