NEEDED: Coaches Who Teach, Not Just Recruit
We’re seeing an alarming trend among coaches of elite athletes in all sports today: recruiting their talent rather than building it. After all, in an environment that celebrates winning above all else, teaching the fundamentals takes too long. Why develop talent when you can recruit it? Why spend time in injury prevention drills, strengthening and […]
For young female athletes, selection is personal
I had a disconcerting phone conversation with a friend and fellow “soccer parent” the other day. She said her daughter is “on the bubble” between the ‘A’ and ‘B’ team. They are waiting to hear which team she will be playing for. The parent told me that it is likely she won’t make the ‘A’ […]
Got Milk?
A popular ad campaign, used to ask, “Have you had your milk today?” It was spoken in pictures of celebrities, sports figures, models who wore a milk mustache. Drink your milk because it builds strong bones and strong bodies, they tell us. I think to myself: I hope my kids are reading this and listening. I have pleaded with […]
Under Their Own Power
While I was out for a walk I came upon a young father coming out of the driveway behind his toddler son who was on one of those big plastic tricycles that has the handle behind for pushing. The son signaled the direction he wanted to go with his right arm and pointer finger. Upon […]
Behind Before You get Started!
It’s that time again: I call it overlap season. That season when the school year events have not quite concluded, but the summer events have already begun. Yes, my calendar is filled with end of year concerts, awards ceremonies, graduations and other culminating celebrations. Even luncheons thanking the volunteers, but who can spare the time? […]
Catch Them Being Good!
…A great title taken from a book written by Tony DiCicco (former women’s US National soccer team head coach) and Colleen Hacker, PhD (sport psychologist and consultant to this team). It’s good advice for parents. It works for co-workers, employees and even bosses. And, sometimes, it’s hard to remember. On Mother’s Day one year, I […]
How to choose the right coach
From the player’s perspective, a good coach is someone who… Can motivate and teach Encourages and inspires Is insightful and compassionate Communicates in an understandable way You can communicate with You can trust and learn from Is a tactician Knows the fundamentals Explains and can physically demonstrate skills Develops character first, then the athlete Brandi […]
How to Win at Sports Parenting
Do you wonder how you can: increase the fun in our children’s sports activities diffuse the fear of failure eliminate confusion between roles and expectations relieve the tension we feel as we drive up to the athletic complex Sports are the perfect place to grow the relationship between yourself and your child which is always […]
Simples ways to beat soccer burn out
Coaches: Give players the resources to cope with the stress of the game: help them focus on the task and what they CAN control (their game, their aggressiveness, their attitude) and not what they CAN’T control (game outcome, play of the other team, environment ) Be aware of outside stressors of your players. Connect personally […]
If you do player development, you better know child development
When we watch our children learning to play sports, it can be difficult to remember that they are children. We sometimes expect more from them than their chronological age and physical and emotional maturity will allow. Here are some age group behavioral guidelines: Beginners* 6-8: easily distracted, egocentric, cluster, easily fatigued, love movement, need clear […]