Youth Football & Breaking Coaches Preconceptions

Youth football coaches approach summer camp with preconceptions of who should play QB, MLB and RB.  The coaching tree talks...a lot.

If your son didn't play RB last year but really wants to this year it's important to get the basics down in the offseason.  The simple things that coaches just expect the RB to show up at camp knowing.  This includes split distance from the QB; proper stance (2-pt.; 3-pt.); first step release after snap and lane angles; mesh and inside hand up on the handoff; switching hands when changing direction; ball in the outside arm when running outside; formations; skill player number system and RB pass routes. 

Coaches are busy. To break any preconceptions about what position your son should play (based on last year), have these basics down cold going into camp. Coaches will be looking for this skill set as a starting point for skill position players.  And it will build confidence in your student athlete from the first day of August camp.

Divorce: Sports-Parenting Leadership

It doesn't matter how good the product or service is if the leadership at the top sucks (see Enron; Penn State....Canada.)

This is something for divorced sports parents to keep in mind if they constantly butt heads over youth sports issues - which sports to play, how much to spend on camps and personal coaches, how much family time to invest, how serious to take sports, etc.

If your student-athlete has talent and more importantly a passion for playing sports, and a solid group of coaches in place....take stock on how you and the ex are handling the sports-parenting role.  Is your contribution an asset or a detriment?

Mental Toughness Podcast - Dr. Rob Bell

Good podcast from Sports Coach Radio on developing mental toughness with Dr. Rob Bell: dealing with pressure; overcoming adversity.

http://sportscoachradio.com/mental-toughness-expert-rob-bell-on-the-psychology-of-the-pivotal-moment/

Value of a College Education....or Not

Surprising stat from Dan Miller's 48 Days podcast:  15 years ago the average starting salary for college grads (adjusted for inflation) was a little over $18/hr.  And today? A little more than $17/hr. 

Yet the cost of a college education rises faster than pretty much any other industry.

Unless a high school grad has a very specific and focused reason for going to college it just may not be worth it anymore. 

Sports Parents & Biz Partnerships

Article for sports parents on setting up protections for their business in case of a future divorce.  Who wants their Ex with a vote at the table?  Pass the doughnuts!

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244601

The Atlantic: Why it Pays to be a Jerk

Pretty interesting article from The Atlantic on finding the right tone when negotiating in different situations.  Find the right level of disagreeable cooperation....

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/06/why-it-pays-to-be-a-jerk/392066/

TED Talk: Growth Mindset

TED Talk from Stanford Prof Carol Dweck on the "growth mindset."  Good advice for student athletes.

http://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_can_improve?language=en