Issues & Advice

The job of parents and coaches is to help swimmers discover the real reason behind their actions and inactions, and in doing so, help them unleash their true potential. It’s important to know why you do what you do…and why that’s important. Why do you swim? This is probably the most important question you can […]

Kids build and develop athleticism by participating in a wide range of different sports and activities. My kid is six years old and plays on an 8U travel ball team called the Half Moon Bay Pirates. I was hesitant to let him play travel ball at such a ridiculously young age, but my dude, Leo, […]

As parents, it’s important to remember that you should set an example of handing your emotions instead of letting your emotions handle you. This is a lesson your child can take into the game as well. The pressure and heat of competition bring out the best and the worst in athletes and parents. I’ve been amazed to […]

Youth football games are for families to convene and cheer for their team as a bonding experience. Avoid being a distraction, that is not what your athlete needs. Just enjoy the game and don’t be that parent. Naturally, parents have high expectations of their kids, as a youth football coach you will need to educate parents […]

Each child is different, and relationships vary, but we can reflect on what we do daily for our children and what they can start doing on their own. My kids are in college and I’m learning that how I behaved as an age group swim parent has a direct relationship to their success or troubles once they […]

Coaches will notice your extra effort and take note, they want athletes who are willing to go the extra mile. If you make a mistake, take responsibility and use it as a learning experience and work hard in the next round. First impressions are everything when it comes to volleyball tryouts. They can be the […]

When kids join youth sports they might be looking for a boost in confidence, some basic instruction in the sport, lessons in teamwork and the development of skills. If the kids have an effective coach, those goals are within reach. “I got recruited to coach my kid’s soccer team. Any advice?” The most recent time […]

Playing sports also translates directly to improvements in physical and mental well-being and is also likely to help children learn in the classroom. Swimming has played an essential role in making me who I am — both in and out of the water. I am 16 and just finished my junior year of high school. […]

Be careful how we praise. If we praise our children for their gifts, such as brains or athletic talent, they may believe those qualities are fixed and cannot be changed. What is the mindset of a champion? “It goes by different names, but it’s the same thing. It’s what makes you practice, and it’s what […]

The 10-yard splits can indicate a receiver’s initial burst off the line (often the most important skill for a receiver’s translation to the pro game) or a running back’s initial speed at the hand-off point. The most recognizable activity at the NFL Combine each year, the marquee event is meant to show players’ top-end speed. Starting […]