Supporting Your Young Athlete's Journey A Parent's Guide From Youth Sports to College Athletics Transition

Are the pressures of youth sports leaving you feeling like you are either being an asset or an obstacle to your child? You would love to be there to support your young athlete, however, it is not hard to get caught up in the demands of the coaches, the competitive nature of the sidelines, and the fear of your child missing out, so you can feel very lost. What if you were able to transition from anxious about your child playing sports, to confident that you are developing his/her character, resilience, and life-long passion for the game? Supporting Your Young Athletes Journey is your essential guide to navigating the many challenges and opportunities of youth sports. It is not a step-by-step instructional guide to help you develop a star athlete, but rather a roadmap to help you raise a happy, healthy, and resilient child through sports. In Supporting Your Young Athletes Journey you will learn how to: Transition from a fixed to a growth mindset and teach your child that it is effort, not natural ability that defines success in sports. Use the sampling vs. specialization method to find the best sport and/or season for your child to ensure they do not burnout and/or suffer from repetitive use injuries. Learn how to become a supportive partner to your child during games and utilize post-game conversations as a way to build confidence in your child. Find a way to work positively and productively with your child's coach and establish a collaborative relationship to provide a cohesive support network for your child. Understand the "hidden factors" that affect performance in youth sports including the importance of proper nutrition, rest/sleep, and recovery to optimize performance. Utilize mistakes and losses as a source of motivation for your child and grow their mental toughness and resilience. Learn how to understand the realities of elite competition and college recruitment in a rational and balanced manner. Written specifically for parents of children participating in youth sports programs (soccer, basketball, baseball, football, gymnastics, swimming and others), this book provides you with practical and real-world strategies to help you navigate the complex and often overwhelming world of youth sports. Instead of letting the pressure consume you, you will have the tools and the confidence to be the anchor of stability for your child.