Youth Sports: What Happens When Money Wins?
How much is your kid worth? Surely, there’s no answer to that question; they’re priceless. But what I am seeing in youth sports clubs lately makes me think that priceless is getting more expensive. We’re paying for them to do everything and at younger ages. The gear, the fees, the uniforms, and the professional trainers. A few […]
No Child Left Behind: Let’s Get Physical
A lot of political capital and many educational dollars have been invested in keeping our childrens’ minds up to speed. The solution may be fitter bodies. Two studies at the University of Illinois make the case. Scientists grouped 9 and 10 year old kids by their levels of aerobic fitness. In one study they evaluated the kids’ performance on cognitive attention tasks; […]
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’ […]
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 […]
Life on Soccer Sundays
A popular T-shirt reads: “Soccer is life. The rest is just details.” I would have worn this T-shirt when I was growing up. Athletics brought identity, order and discipline to my life. And the discipline I learned there, I brought to life’s other pursuits. Cut to today: my kids wear this T-shirt. And in spite […]
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 […]
