58 Thoughts On Youth Sport
Coaching, mindset, and various topics covered in a reflective post
Edition 188 of The Physical Movement is a pensive one.
A birthday can make one think a lot especially as we age. Perhaps that is a sign of maturing, but likely not as I feel like kid most of the time (just ask my spouse!) Maybe it’s because I am concerned that if I don’t write things down, I will forget them.
Regardless, here are 58 thoughts on the current state of youth sport.
1. Age is not a limitation to learning something new, mindset is. One of our greatest gifts our ability to learn. “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is a B.S. excuse for not wanting to put the effort into learning.
Age is not a limitation to learning something new, mindset is.
2. Coaching in 2023 is different than coaching 20 or 30 years ago. Taking the time to connect at the level of who you are coaching must a priority in creating a memorable experience.
3. If we thought more about youth sport participants and their families as customers, then organizations and coaches would focus on their experience, rather than any other agenda.
4. Young people have role models in their lives. Positive ones are best. Mom’s, Dad’s, relatives, coaches, teachers, officials…we are being watched and our behaviour influences the next generation. What we do and how we do it matters.
5. Are you as a coach, administrator and official practicing the lifestyle choices you preach to your athletes? Should you?
6. The level of commitment families make for young athletes to participate, both in time and money is staggering. Youth sport leaders: let’s please not forget that.
7. The most important skill we can provide our youth is to build self-esteem.
8. Don’t accept trash talk. It’s spiraling out of control. Re-read #4 above.
9. Teach respect for the game, the competition and our opponent.
10. Bullying can occur in multiple forms. In the locker room, on the playing field, before and after competition. Take a stand. Speak up. Don’t accept it.
11. The opportunity to play is the most important part of youth sport for anyone under 16 years old. Any team or competition with a different agenda is missing the mark. Find an opportunity for your kid where they will get the chance to play.
12. There should be no “elite” for anyone under 14 years old. Let them play.
13. Nugget from Coach Eric Cressey:
On physical development:
14. Re-evaluate any strength and conditioning program or coach that does not emphasize movement over building muscle. Physical literacy is the ultimate goal.
I have witnessed college prep and college programs emphasize bulking and moving heavy weight over movement capacity. Don’t let that happen to your kid’s development
15. A good strength and conditioning program will incorporate mobility, agility, balance, power, strength and conditioning. Do a little research on how the best train, and you will find common threads that apply to
16. Sport specific strength and conditioning programs for youth are overrated. Teaching a young athlete to move better and quicker applies to all sport. Perhaps only 10% should be sport specific up to 14 years old.
17. Speed training is not conditioning. Any coach who tries to teach speed while promoting conditioning is missing the mark. Look for more on this in an upcoming edition.
18. Playing injured at the youth level is not a badge of honor. It is a medal of ignorance.
19. Teach your kids how to fuel up in line with best practices.
On sport specialization:
20. It’s a bad idea if you want to develop healthy, strong and skilled young athletes. The research is now irrefutable. All those programs pushing young athletes to play year-round are doing more harm than good. This applies to all ages. Take a stand. Don’t go fall into that trap.
21. Skill development coaches should be able to provide a plan for your athlete based on previous success. Don’t be afraid to ask for it and get proof that what they are teaching will support development.
On the topic of winning:
22. Winning can be defined many ways. Unfortunately, our culture has blinders on when it comes winning. We view winning as the ultimate outcome, and it defines our success, yet the it eludes 95% of those who compete. For every tournamen, there is 1 winner. Think about it.
23. Winning can be defined by progress.
24. Winning can be defined by skill development.
25. Winning can be defined by building friendships
26. Winning can be defined in overcoming adversity.
27. Winning can be defined by supporting others.
28. Winning can be defined by playing with respect.
29. How you define winning in your house, your team, your organization should be THE topic of discussion.
30. As a coach, outlining the standards and expectations early is a game changer.
31. Accountability can be taught from an early age and is an important lifelong skill. Are you teaching accountability with your athletes?
On travel teams:
32. Evaluate your goals as a family before joining any travel team.
33. Not required for anyone 14 and under. Refer to item #10 above.
34. If the standard is $3000 or more for your young athlete to play a season and they are under 14: Re-evaluate the standard.
35. If you must join travel teams, have them outline their goals, their standards, and check the credentials of the coach. The onus should be on the team/organization to prove this is good for your young person, rather than the other way around.
36. Witnessed during a recent hotel stay with a 10 and under hockey team. Dad rolled in with luggage and 2 cases of beer. This does not seem appropriate.
On college scholarships and being a student athlete:
37. As a parent, is it your dream for your kid to play college sport? or his/hers?
38. Is your athlete aware of what is required to compete at the collegiate level? The lifestyle and sacrifice may not be what they want. If not, let them just play.
39. Competing at the next level comes not only from young athletes loving what they do, but the preparation, sacrifice, recovery
40. Colleges will offer a scholarship to your young athlete only if he/she think they can help their program. Their agenda is to grow the visibility of school, increase enrollment by winning by just about any means necessary. Understanding the college agenda is critical to finding a good situation for your kid.
41. USA colleges/universities put sport ahead of academics. Canadian colleges put academics ahead of athletics. Move ahead accordingly.
42. All young athletes stop competing at some point, but they don’t ever have to stop playing.
On sportsmanship:
43. Is sportsmanship part of the expectations set with your athletes prior to competition. Should it be?
44. Coaches: how you speak to officials and your athletes reflects how they will behave during competition.
45. Parents: your interference with competition and coaches decisions diminishes your athlete’s self-esteem. Re-read point #7.
46. Should young athletes shake hands with their competition post game?
47. Officials: how you speak to participants and coaches influences the competition more than you know. Why are you there?
In conclusion:
48. Adults thinking critically about every step of the youth sport process is required in 2023. Are your plans what is best for your child?
49. All adults would be better served if they regularly defined what the ideal outcomes would be from participating.
50. The benefits that can come from youth sport participation have never been more needed.
51. The harm that can come from inappropriate youth sport leadership has been well documented unfortunately over the last 30 + years, due diligence to every youth sport experience is now a must.
52. Don’t define the success of your youth sport experience by what others say. Keeping up with the joneses is clouding the judgement of many.
53. Check in with your child to make sure they are enjoying the experience.
54. There is no “do or die” situation in youth sport. Anyone who pushes this agenda is missing the mark and doing damage.
55. There is nothing wrong with company sponsorships to defray the costs of participation.
56. There is nothing wrong with skill development or strength/conditioning coaches charging for their services. It is up to the families to be a smart consumer.
57. There is something wrong with a travel team coach making their living via a salary paid by participation fees.
58. Every youth sport team or athlete should have a community initiative to give back to a worthy cause.