What hurts girls’ confidence in youth sports?
I was surprised by my interview with Breanne Smedley, a certified female athlete Confidence Coach, former college volleyball player, youth sports coach and founder of The Elite Competitor. She identified three fears that hold young female athletes back.
In the past, I had talked to youth sports experts–as well as female athletes–about body …
To protect both their physical and mental health, kids need to get exercise and take part in outdoor play, says Dr. Dan O’Neill, author of “Survival of the Fit.” I interviewed him recently for my youth sports podcast and learned that his book is an important wake-up call.
Twenty percent of kids are obese, and develop ailments such as diabetes, …
For my youth sports podcast, Ultimate Sports Parent Radio, I recently interviewed Brian Levenson, a mental performance coach and author of “Shift Your Mind.”
He described how athletes benefit from “strong” or inner skills such as empathy and teamwork.
“We want to shift the narrative about so-called soft skills–skills like empathy, leadership and communication. We’re on a mission to …
By Lisa Cohn, Special to The Christian Science Monitor
During a girls’ soccer game in Portland, Ore., Sue Mak gaped in horror as the coach for the opposing team screamed at his 9-year-old daughter for playing poorly, and then ripped off her shirt. The girl wrapped her arms around her bare chest and cried.
“I was mortified,” says Ms. Mak, …
By Lisa Cohn
In this “Ultimate Sports Parent Radio” podcast, I interview two Positive Coaching Alliance leaders, discussing why girls drop out of sports at rates six times higher than boys. Listen here:
Why Girls Drop Out of Sports More Often than Boys
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When it comes to youth sports, well-meaning parents commit many sins – some of which may surprise you. These sins generally are based on a desire to ensure kids benefit from sports – and excel. It’s the “excel” that gets sports parents in trouble. Once parents take the focus off of having fun and start to concentrate on winning, kids …