Many kids think that having athletic talent is the only way they will ever see the field, and often forget or overlook some of the things coaches look for beyond talent. This week I remind kids that they actually control a lot of the ways in which they receive playing time -…

Yes, it was just a few years ago where many of us thought youth sports were "pushing the envelope" when discussing the intensity kids deal with today compared to a few years ago.  Amazingly, youth sport intensity has only gotten more challenging and complex, resulting in some kids having 2 or…

Are increasingly more student athletes disillusioned when they see Adrian Peterson and Robert Griffin III quickly come back from serious sports injuries? When they see Derrick Rose being criticized for not playing right now, does this send a message that young athletes need to play regardless of…

Help the kids you coach immediately improve their athletic performance - this week's blog on sports perception will help you get the conversation started!…

Being a great youth sports coach can be a daunting task these days, but these 5 tips will help you immediately take your game to the next level.…

As a coach you already know how important this distinction is, as we have all witnessed athletes (and teams) "shut it down" way too soon, often resulting in a loss on the field.  These situations are especially heart-breaking for coaches as they are the games they "should have won" but instead…

Mike Rice's dismissal at Rutgers not only illustrated some harsh coaching techniques, but also showed how quickly news travels these days and the related impact of people quickly writing and passing judgements.  In the case of Rutgers, the coach, AD, and probably the…

By now you have all seen the video of Rutgers mens basketball coach Mike Rice, Jr. grabbing players, throwing balls at them, and even using homosexual slurs in order to get his players to play better.  Rice is not the first coach to resort to intimidation and humiliation when leading his team,…

In the "old days" kids would only quit sports when they had to through either deselection or physical injury.  These days, some kids who are otherwise talented enough to continue playing (sometimes even on to the college level) yet voluntarily walk away. …

Kids learn a lot while competing in sports, including how to handle adversity, frustration, and failure.  Did you know that how parents and coaches handle these things has a direct impact on kids? …

Some coaches are called "control freaks" because of their perfectionist thinking, but did you know this mindset actually causes more anxiety and pressure?  This week I discuss…

Too often we falsely assume that great athletes are great because of luck, timing, or genetics -- when it fact greatness largely comes about from sheer work and determination, and a willingness to do the things others are not willing to do. …

As a coach you probably hate when parents wait after practice to talk to you about their child's lack of playing time - todayI offer specific tips so that parents can…

While most athletes train for physical development, mental toughness is needed for the perfect mind-body synchrony that leads to athletic success.  Read…

Some sports aggression is good, while other types of sports aggression can lead to penalties and unnecessary injuries.  Learn about the differences in sports aggression with today's…

By Kira Jones

For a term as popular as core strength, it is surprisingly difficult to find a definition for what exactly the core is. A common misconception is that the core is simply a synonym for the abdominal muscles. While they are certainly an important part of the core, it also includes the pelvis, flank (basically the sides from armpit to hipbone), back, spine and hips. The most important thing to recognize is that the core muscles include those throughout the middle section of…

Famous sports medicine expert Dr. James Andrews offers important advice on the risks for kids who specialize and play high intensity sports -- I added some of the…

Questions around gamesmanship come up all the time in sports - as a coach, you are regularly challenged by decisions around how to give your team a "home field advantage," including how tall you let the grass grow and how regularly you water the field.  Where does gamesmanship…

How athletes frame and respond to stress makes all the difference - read more here.…

The Lakers were supposed to cruise to the NBA Finals this year, but are currently not even a playoff team.  There's talent on the team, but not much chemistry -- today I talk about the…