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…

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

While most high school student athletes want to play big time Division I sports, very few will actually have this opportunity.  The good news, however, is that many more student athletes can extend their athletic careers by checking out small school athletics -…

The news is traveling quickly as the world learns about NBA player Jason Collins being gay.  Yes, we are finally witnessing the first openly gay male athlete from one of America's "big 4" sports, even though there have been countless gay athletes before him who simply never opened up.…

All coaches want to know the magic formula for picking players who will develop into future stars - whether it's NFL teams or baseball managers this summer. 

This week I…

Obviously youth sport officials are not going to be perfect (after all, even pro officials make mistakes), but there are some basic criteria you can use to gauge how well the referees are doing in your games this summer.  This week I explore some of these factors -…

This week i discuss both problem and emotion-based coping and examples of when each should be used when athletes are "stressed out."  Check out this week's…

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.…

This particular type of stress is at the heart of much of the anger and unsportsmanlike play we sometimes see in sports, as well as why some parents and coaches lose their cool.  Learn more…

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…

Should student athletes be paid or not?  Bob Stoops says no, but others say yes -- this week I discuss this growing concern and offer a wide lens view of…

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…

Many sports teams engage in team bonding rituals, but at what point do these activities cross the line and result in dangerous hazing?  This week I explore this question, as well as provide tips for coaches to help…

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? …

This week Nike launched a Tiger Woods ad that suggests "winning" makes everything better again.  What message does this send to the athletes you coach -- and is this a good…

Sports uniforms continue to become more revealing and streamlined, causing a lot of anxiety for athletes playing in sports like volleyball, gymnastics, and even cheer-leading. …

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. …