Movement is Natural for Healthy Children
The toddler was bee-bopping in the seat of that BJs shopping cart, perfectly in rhythm with the music piped quietly, unobtrusively, barely perceptibly through the speakers into our shopping experience. And the young mom was dancing along as they cruised down the aisle of canned goods. “Amazing how they arrive with rhythm, isn’t it?” I […]
What does an ACL really cost? The financial and intangible costs to players and families
Author note: Part I of 2 part article. Next Up — Balancing the Books: Effective ACL Prevention Is the Job of Every Coach I cautioned Katherine about the incidence of ACL injuries in athletic girls whose knees tended to fold inwards when they jumped and landed as hers did. The 8th grade basketball and lacrosse phenom […]
Are Sports Too Much for Your Kid? Dismantling the Dagwood Sandwich, An Equation for Healthy Youth Sport
Everybody’s talking about injuries. Coaches, doctors, league administrators, and parents are worried about the increase in injuries from SO much soccer! Kids are stuffed with teams and tryouts, tournaments and competitions. What used to be a tasty part of a balanced diet, now sits on their plate like a dagwood sandwich, daring them to eat […]
What Color is Your Fitness? Take the Quiz
What’s your fitness color? Really. Your fitness has a personality and a color. So says author Suzanne Brue, who wrote The 8 Colors of Fitness: Discover Your Color-Coded Fitness Personality and Create an Exercise Program You’ll Never Quit. Take her quiz here. Find out your “fitness color.” See if you agree. Author Suzanne Brue, building on the […]
Everybody Wants a Piece of My Kid: Calculate, Don’t Negotiate
If I told you that rest builds and work breaks down, would you rest them more? This is the question I pose to the well-intended but extremely competitive AAU basketball coach who is negotiating with the families of his starters. He needs those top three and, you see, they also play travel soccer. Spring soccer […]
Core Fitness: Fitness Ball Exercises for a Strong Core
In my previous post called “Who Needs Core Fitness?” I made the case for the central role (no pun intended) for core strength in your body’s ability to move efficiently and hold still effectively. Sports require we are both stable and still. There are many exercises to strengthen the core. To make the grade with […]
Want to help your female athletes think and play with confidence? Write it down
Have you ever noticed that girls like to ponder things? Me too. Have you ever wondered what they’re thinking about? Me too. Do you know the best way to find out? Ask them. But don’t expect it to be that easy. You have to read between the lines. Which means…get it in writing. I’ve had […]
How Much Does a Soccer Scholarship Cost?
Easy come, easy go. It’s just money, right? Spent by the thousands per year on your middle school and high school aged soccer player for club fees, tournaments, travel, equipment, spirit-wear, food. And if they’re “good” enough, there’s the ODP State and Regional, perhaps National tournament travel and play. How much is enough to invest […]
Healthy Nutrition for Young Athletes
None of us has the perfect diet. But the demands on our athletes require that we help them make what they eat count. Consistent training and performance depend on it. Here are some quick ways to check on how healthy your athlete’s diet is. Do they eat in moderation? (quantity and portion size to maintain […]
Helping Our Female Athletes Be Confident, not Cocky
Talk about being surrounded by beautiful women… John Daly is loving this. He would tell you so; the ladies would just nod and smile – and defer to their teammates. Here’s how I know. I got to enjoy the company of four of these young ladies over brunch at the William and Mary Celebration of […]