Help Your Young Athletes Feel Safe
I recently completed the online course and certification for SafeSport, a nonprofit whose mission is to end all forms of abuse in sport and ensure that all athletes safe and supported. I found the course to be of considerable value with the many hats I wear in sports: Highly educational as a parent and volunteer […]
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Don’t Raise Independent Children
In my first parenting book, Positive Pushing, I wrote a section titled “Raise an Independent Child” in which I recommended that parents should allow their children to gain independence from them as soon as possible. They should give their children the freedom to become their own people and navigate the world on their own. I […]
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Psychology of Tryouts: Part IV (It’s All about the Parents)
As I described in Part I, Part II, and Part III of this four-part series on Meeting the Challenges of Tryouts, my focus is on what athletes can do to make their tryout experiences as enjoyable and successful as possible. So far, I wrote about the psychological challenges for young athletes and how they can […]
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What’s Your Kids’ Sports ROI?
My two daughters are pretty serious athletes. They’ve been competing in one sport for seven years (along with several others less seriously), trained hard this summer, and are committed to being the best they can be in their sport. Because of this burgeoning involvement in their sport and my being a sport parenting expert of […]
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What’s Your Kids’ Ski Racing ROI?
My two daughters are officially ski racers. They’ve been on the Sugar Bowl Ski Team for seven years now, skied twice this summer, and will attend winter term at Sugar Bowl Academy this coming season. Because of this burgeoning involvement in our sport, I’m often asked by other parents why they ski race and why […]
Read MoreBeing a Well-trained Athlete is Not Enough for Athletic Success
One of the questions I’m asked most frequently from athletes, coaches, and parents is: What does it take to be a successful athlete? For any athlete who wants to be their best, this is no easy question, yet one that is worth asking and worth even more to answer. First, let me address how I […]
Read MoreBeing Well-trained isn’t Enough for Ski Racing Success
One of the questions I’m asked most frequently from racers, coaches, and parents is: What does it take to be a successful ski racer? For any racer who wants to be their best, this is no easy question, yet one that is worth asking and worth even more to answer. First, let me address how […]
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Sport Parents Behaving Badly
It’s almost become a cliche. Parents yelling at their children at practice or during games. Parents heckling the opposing team. Parents berating coaches. Parents threatening referees. Parenting fighting each other in the stands. In just about any sport, at every level of youth sports, on any given day, and on fields, courts, courses, and rinks […]
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In Sports, “Innovate or Die”
I have three favorite sayings when it comes to being the best athlete you can be. First, “If you want to perform like everyone else, be like everyone else.” In other words, if you want to be a decent athlete among many, do what they do. Second, an old Texas adage says, “If you all […]
Read MoreIn Ski Racing, Innovate or Die
I have three favorite sayings when it comes to being the best ski racer you can be. First, “If you want to ski like everyone else, be like everyone else.” In other words, if you want to be a decent ski racer among many, do what they do. Second, an old Texas adage says, “If […]
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