youthsports

The pressures placed on young athletes and their parents have never been greater. Peak performance and sports parenting coach Kirsten Jones explains how best to navigate these turbulent youth sports waters. This is a must listen episode for those with kids playing sports. Plus, don't you want to know how Kirsten wins over the Russian Red Army at age 24? Enjoy sports fans!
 
Time-Stamped Show Notes
1:30      -    Young Kirsten
2:37      -    College Recruiting Saga
5:51      -    William & Mary's Debbie Hill
8:33      -    The Tide Turns
10:39    -    Baseball Buddies: Eli & Dan
11:15    -    Fun, Friends & Fundamentals
14:22    -    A Good Word Goes a Long Way
15:44    -    Coach Baseball
16:42    -    Never Too Late
17:27    -    Pyramid Scheme
19:39    -    It Ain't Easy
20:26    -    Mom? Dad?
21:42    -    Make it or Break it
22:15    -    Flip the Fries!
24:34    -    Give me a Break
28:20    -    Just Do It
29:39    -    Moscow Madness
34:32    -    Lightning Round

Raising Empowered Athletes: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/raising-empowered-athletes-kirsten-jones/1143087145?ean=9781637276167

Kirsten Jones Inc: https://www.kirstenjonesinc.com/

#RaisingAthletes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raisingathletes/id1340521140

Kirsten Jones LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-jones-coach/

Listeners, please subscribe to Heavy Hitter Sports wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes. And if you are so inclined, please rate and review the show. And share this episode with a coworker, friend or family member who it might benefit. Many thanks. 

Coaches Tyler McGill of Opelika Swim Team, John Butcher of Charger Aquatics, and Kevin Zakrzewski of Patriot Aquatics join Matt in a roundtable discussing USA Swimming club operations.

In todays episode Burner and the boys get a treat as soccer legend and head coach of the University of San Diego Men's Soccer team sits down to discuss everything from the roll club sports plays in today's youth landscape to the growing popularity of the professional game in the U.S.

Quinn (Quinnie) is a Northern Irish-American soccer coach and player. He spent most of his professional career in in the U.S. where he played in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League with the San Diego Sockers. He has coached everything from the club and high school level to Major League Soccer. He covers it all!

Today, Matt and I are going to continue our conversation about interview questions, but this time we are going to look at what the boards should be asking head coaches when they are looking to replace their head coach.

Tune in to discover the essential elements that boards should focus on during interviews to ensure they are selecting the right head coach for their team.

In this episode, we discuss the questions Head Coaches should be asking of boards before they agree to become the club's new Coach. While some of these questions may be difficult to ask, it's important that you do in order to safeguard yourself and your family. Potentially moving states and bringing your family with you only to find out that your values don't align with the board or finding out the board is less than prepared to truly lead the organization is disruptive to your life and the swimmers. Better to know up front!!

We have a summary document of the questions in the tools section of the website: https://bit.ly/3G3bIVc

Matt and I had a great discussion with Mike Koleber with Nitro Swimming. He gave us some great insights into how he leads his rather large staff, how he leverages professional development (including several references to people that coaches should be listening to!), and how coaches can navigate the delicate intricacies of working with a board.

This podcast is packed with great information that will serve both sides of the house - wet and dry!

Welcome to a brand-new episode of Your Sports Resource! Today, we have a fascinating discussion in store for you as we dive into the world of clubs and college programs. Joining me is Matt, and together, we're unpacking the complex dynamic between parents and sports.

Hi my name is Lane Crawford, I am 10 years old, I live in Paeroa with my dad Eli, mum Roxanne and my big sister Nova 14 and I go to Netherton school.

My dad growing up played soccer and showed me when I was just a toddler and I liked it. I started playing soccer for the Paeroa Rangers soccer club when I was just 3 years old

This week we talk to Morgan Cordle the CEO/Head Coach of 757swim in Virginia. In this episode Morgan shares how over the last two years they have been focused on their culture, how the organization runs with their massive growth, and she shares how she held a successful coaches retreat this year to kick off the season. The retreat information alone is GOLD. Listen up!

In this week's episode, I had a great conversation with Brendan Hansen the Director of Team Services. We discussed his team and their role with the clubs, LSC's, the quad plan, and the opportunities that are available to coaches to learn from each other. (Opportunities that really should be taken. Get on those calls, coaches!) I hope you enjoy.

In today’s episode, Let’s dive into a critical topic: board reports and the pivotal conversation with head coaches. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of this essential aspect of sports management.

Whether you’re a seasoned coach or a board member, this episode is something worth listening to. Tune in now to gain a deeper understanding of how board reports can play a significant part in your role.

In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of college coaching, and we have a very special guest with us – Caitlin Hamilton, the newly appointed Associate Head Coach at the University of Kentucky.

Discover the secrets behind the scenes of college sports, and gain a fresh perspective on what it takes to lead a successful collegiate program. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the world of college coaching – tune in now!

Join me and Matt as we step into the fascinating world of coaching with our latest episode, "FIVE MESSAGES." If you're a coach looking to elevate your game and unlock the hidden potential of your athletes, this episode is a goldmine of wisdom and inspiration!

Join Matt in this exciting 2nd part episode of "Attracting New Members"! With insightful strategies and real-life examples, this episode is a must-listen for anyone aiming to boost their membership game. Tune in now to supercharge your growth journey! 

How is Dominic Shannon building a development-first youth basketball program?

AAU basketball isn’t always viewed in the most favorable light. Detractors argue that there is an overemphasis on winning, physical overuse for the athlete, and no real team cohesion. However, not all AAU programs are created equally.

My guest, Dominic Shannon, is Program Director for All-In Sports based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is a former basketball player that has coached in both high school and college.

Dominic left a job in corporate America to pursue his vision for All-In Sports, a basketball program that would emphasize the development of young athletes. In seven years since it was founded, All-In Sports has attracted over 100 players by developing a community-oriented, highly collaborative team culture.

In Episode 49, Dominic shares his passion for preparing young athletes for success on and off the court.

So, what’s your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Dominic Shannon?

My biggest takeaway is that families should look for an AAU or club program that fits their family’s values. 

My suggestion to families is to do your homework when selecting a sports program. Development-oriented sports programs exist. Investing time to research and ask the right questions will make all the difference.

I want to thank Dominic for his kind generosity and the wisdom he shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.

You can learn more about All-In Sports at https://allinsportsclub.com and on Instagram @allinsportsclub.

To learn HOW mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.

Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back soon for Episode 50!

How is Beth Jessop helping families navigate the youth sports learning curve?

One research organization has projected that the youth sports market in the United States will reach $78 billion by 2026. Even the most idealistic person would have difficulty denying that youth sports is big business. So, how does the average American family navigate this landscape?

My guest on this episode, Beth Jessop, is founder of Sports Parents United, whose motto is “Love first. Sports second.” Beth’s mission is to facilitate healthy participation in youth sport in which the young person is valued in totality, not just as an athletic performer. Sports Parents United provides valuable resources to families seeking to effectively navigate the youth sports learning curve.

In Episode 43, Beth discusses how her own experiences as a competitive athlete and a parent of young athletes inspired her to found and grow Sports Parents United. We explore the idea that young people need to take more ownership of their youth sport experiences in order to sustain participation past the age of 13 and into adulthood.

So, what was your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Beth Jessop?

For me, parents must know how to model positive behaviors for young athletes rather than just saying the right things. Sports parenting is complex, emotional, and often leads adults to behave in a way that doesn’t align with their values.

My suggestion to sports parents is to be clear on your values when investing in your child’s sports experience. It is easy for all of us, myself included, to get caught up in the superficial elements of youth sports, such as our child’s performance and recognition within the community. However, we must remember that sports are merely a vehicle for building character for a lifetime.

I want to thank Beth for her kind generosity and the wisdom she shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.

You can learn more about Beth and Sports Parents United on Facebook and on their website at https://www.sportsparentsunited.com/.

To learn how mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.

Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back soon for Episode 44!

How is Jon Torine passing on the wisdom of his legendary coaching mentors?

Coaching, much like parenting, has a deep influence on young people. Many of us learn how to coach from those who coached us. Unfortunately, not everyone has ideal coaching role models. Coaching lessons that are passed down generationally can have significant influence - positive or negative - on young athletes. It is critical to educate coaches on effective practices in order to curb the troubling youth sport dropout rate.

My guest, Jon Torine, is a former NFL strength and conditioning coach and currently an Area Developer for i9 Sports.

In Episode 36, Jon discusses how he has adopted the lessons from legendary coaches, such as Marv Levy and Tony Dungy. Jon shares how he is using those lessons in his current role as a franchise operator at i9 Sports, whose mission is helping kids succeed in life through sports.

So, what was your biggest takeaway from my conversation with Jon Torine?

For me, it’s that it’s not okay to stay quiet as it relates to sharing best practices for coaching youth sports. The best coaches coach people, not games. About 70 percent of young people drop out of youth sports by the age of 13 presumably because they are not having fun. Coaches play a big role in that equation. Youth sport coaching MUST be better in order to quell this troubling trend.

My suggestion to youth sports parents is think about the life lessons you would like your children to learn when helping them choose what teams to play on. Winning and competing is important to young athletes, but should it be the MOST important factor in choosing a team?

I want to thank Jon for his kind generosity and the wisdom he shared with The Freshman Foundation Community.

To learn more about the nature of the coach-athlete relationship, visit: https://michaelvhuber.com/what-can-a-tv-character-teach-us-about-the-coach-athlete-relationship/

To learn more about how mental performance coaching can help your mind work FOR you rather than AGAINST you, visit https://michaelvhuber.com.

Thank you for listening. We’ll see you back in two weeks ready to get better!

JOHN O' SULLIVAN is the most insightful person I have found when it comes to youth sports. O'Sullivan is the founder of the CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT that features blogs, the Way of Champions podcast, and online courses for coaches and parents. The goal is to start a discussion about changing the environment in youth sports so we can keep more kids active, healthy and involved in physical activity. Today we talk everything YOUTH SPORTS!

In today's episode of Experience the Buzz, Host Steve Buzzard tries his best to cover every area when it comes to youth sports. "It was such an honor to have John on the podcast. I respect him immensely. His work with his blogs, his books, and podcast have made a BIG impact in the youth sports world."  Our conversation hits three areas: 

• SEGMENT 1 ⚽️  is action packed with a multitude of subjects covered. John shares how his blog started everything. We dispel many of the myths surrounding youth sports. We talk about how the phrase "I Love Watching You Play" led to John's Ted Talk in 2014 and was a big part of his first of two books. There is so much good content in this opening segment.  
• SEGMENT 2 🏀  dives into three particular subjects. "Road to Nowhere," "Why Kids Quit, and "Teach Them to Compete and Not Win" From there we enter the world of discussing officials and coaches. Later we talk about John's relationship with PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance).
• SEGMENT 3 🏈  does a deeper dive into John's two main projects, Changing the Game Project and Positive Coaching Alliance. We talk about the success that has come from the origin of these two programs. We finish off with an often-asked question regarding Rec vs. AAU for youth sports. 

Our Connection |  As a supporter of the Positive Coaching Alliance, I was directed by a PCA rep to view John's Ted Talk on Youth Sports. After viewing his Ted Talk, I was hooked and have followed his work, including his insightful blogs and podcasts ever since.

The video version of this episode is NOW AVAILABLE on YOUTUBE.  Check it out and be sure to SUBSCRIBE (this will allow you to get notified of ALL new ETB episodes as they are released) -- ETB with John O'Sullivan

ENJOY THE TALKING STORY! 🏝

• The TED TALK on YOUTH SPORTS (2014) | Click Here
• Changing the Game Project | Website
• John's Blog (So Good) | Click Here
• John O'Sullivan - Positive Coaching Alliance | Click Here
• Book | Changing the Game - A Must Buy for PARENTS | Purchase on Amazon
• Book | Every Moment Matters - A Must Buy for ALL COACHES |

ANDREA BARBER knows officiating. She has been doing it for 30 years and runs Hawkins Officiating in Sacramento. She is ready to help all of us understand the world of officiating. I did extensive research and couldn't find anything where someone spoke on this subject. Let's admit it, being an official is not an easy job. But what if as a coach, a player, or a spectator we better understood what an official is all about, would it change our perspective. That's why today's conversation is an important one for all of us, especially those who have kids in athletics.  Get ready!

In today's episode of Experience the Buzz, Host Steve Buzzard is ready for those answers we have all wanted to hear when it comes to officiating."I am confident that this episode is going to give everyone a new perspective about officials. It is long overdue and I am so proud of the fact that we were able to have this conversation on Experience the Buzz. It was much needed."  Our conversation hits three areas: 

• SEGMENT 1 🏀 Andrea kicks the episode off with what it is to be a sports official. She gives us the background on Hawkins Officiating and how they originated along with what their business model is all about. Not what you would expect. We finish off the segment with Andrea describing her 'paying the bills' job and her childhood. 
• SEGMENT 2 🏈 is pure GOLD! I love this segment. Life of an official. Expectations we have on officials. Different league, different rules. The emotional coach. Do officials come into a game with a bias? Approaching officials. And finally ... coaches being role models for the kids on their team.
• SEGMENT 3 🏅 starts with an idea. Coaches being officials before they are coaches. What if you would like to be an official? Andrea shows the way and discusses what kind of money one can make as an official. Then we finish off with the behind-the-scenes look of what Andrea's responsibilities are when it comes to scheduling officials. You will be blown away. And I have always wondered ... "why do officials always have a nice appearance?" Andrea provides the answer.

Our Connection |  Hawkins has been the official officiating service of my Winter Basketball League for close to 15 years. Andrea, along with her business partners Steve Harank, Jay Crawley, and the late Woody Watkins, have been amazing friends and partners. And a big part of it is exactly what Andrea describes in this episodes. It's about the relationships.

FUN FACTS
🎯Andrea went to the same middle school as Reggie Miller.
🎯Why do you officiate?  "It's About the Game."
🎯Andrea admits she was a band geek and nerd turned athlete.

ENJOY THE TALKING STORY! 🏝

• Contact Information if you are interested in becoming an official
• Andrea Barber | 916-952-1882 | a.barber@yahoo.com

Focused athletics students are provided with free SAT & ACT test prep, mentorship, and workouts on a weekly basis. Over 40 of their members have obtained academic and athletic scholarships. 

You can't spell Philanthropy without PHILA, and Jackson has brotherly  Love that is beyond measure. 

In this episode you hear how these young men are flourishing under his guidance. His team has created a culture that has a lot of these young men coming back to the program to lead the next group of underclassmen. His efforts were the catalyst that inspired me to start a Podcast focused on Humanitarianism.  

If you would like to donate your time, talent , or treasure go to 

https://www.focusedathletics.org/about-us

Or visiting their social media pages below

https://www.facebook.com/FocusedAthletics

https://www.instagram.com/focusedathletics215/