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29 relevant results for "youth sports culture"
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5 resultsPrinciple 03: Value Culture Over Credentials
The environment surrounding your athlete matters. Look beyond trophies, reputations, and résumés to the people and culture shaping your child.
Choosing Teams & Clubs
Looking beyond wins, rankings, facilities, and promises to find the right developmental environment.
Sideline Behavior
Understanding how our words, reactions, and emotions affect young athletes.
Money & the Youth Sports Arms Race
Making informed decisions about private training, travel, showcases, camps, equipment, and escalating costs.
Principle 10: Understand the Financial Reality
Understand the financial realities of youth sports before allowing fear, promises, or the pressure to keep up to drive spending decisions. More expensive does not automatically mean better development or greater opportunity.
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17 resultsBe Smart. Don't Be Scared.
Todd Merkow sits down with Jonathan Carone — founder and host of Healthy Sports Parents, former youth and competitive athlete, youth sports coach, and sports parent. Jonathan describes himself as the epitome of a marginal athlete: good enough to make all-stars in rec league, never quite good enough to stick on a school team, and completely fine with that. He played rec basketball through eighth gr
Build a League Worth Believing In
Todd Merkow sits down with Christian Lavers — founder and president of the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League), former Director of Coaching and Methodology at FC Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin finance and soccer alumnus, holder of both an MBA and a law degree, and father of four young children ages four through eight. The ECNL has grown from 40 clubs and roughly 2,000 players at its founding in
Compassionate and Competitive
Todd Merkow sits down with Crystalrae States — founder and owner of Boilermaker Softball Club in Pennsylvania, former Division II catcher and head coach, master's-level exercise and sport science professional, and mother of three young kids — for a wide-ranging conversation about what it actually looks like to build a female-first youth sports organization from scratch, why development and winning
David Murray | Author – Soccer Dad | Chasing the Dream Without Losing the Joy
David Murray never set out to become a soccer dad. Growing up, sports weren't central to his family. He discovered them largely on his own, eventually becoming an enthusiastic fan and recreational athlete. So when his daughter Scout arrived—coordinated, competitive and eager to play—David and his wife, Christy, introduced her to sports without a master plan. Soccer simply became the one she love
Failure Is an Ingredient
Todd Merkow sits down with Andrew Beinbrink — former collegiate baseball player at Arizona State University (College World Series finalist), six-year professional baseball player who reached Triple-A with both the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers, and CEO and founder of SportsForce (sportsforce.io), a recruiting advisory platform that has guided families through the college athletic recruiting pro
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5 resultsWhat do I mean when I say what was old should be new again?
Youth sports can feel like it is always asking families to do more, earlier. This question invites parents to pause and consider what children may need most: room to play, grow, connect, and keep perspective. A healthier sports experience does not reject commitment. It makes space for development, rest, relationships, and a child’s own interest alongside it. Parents can help by remembering that a long sports journey is built one season, one conversation, and one happy moment at a time.
What does Play Like You're 10 really mean?
As sports becomes more structured, it can be easy to lose sight of the freedom that drew children to play in the first place. Playing like you’re 10 is an invitation to remember curiosity, joy, and the simple pleasure of moving with friends. It does not mean children cannot work hard or care deeply. Parents can protect that spirit by leaving room for play and keeping the larger journey in perspective.
Why Be Valiant? Play Fearless.
Being valiant is not about having every answer. It is about choosing to be thoughtful, informed, and steady in a sports environment that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Parents have tremendous influence over a child’s experience. Their choices, questions, and everyday support can help create a healthier path. Playing fearless begins with a child who knows they are valued beyond the game.
What does a healthy sports culture at home actually look like?
The sports culture at home is built in everyday moments: before practice, on the ride home, and when the game is not going the way anyone hoped. A healthy home culture leaves room for the athlete to be a whole person. It does not make love, attention, or belonging depend on performance. Parents can set a tone of curiosity and support while still helping their child learn from the experience.
What is the Happy Bucket, and why does everyone need one?
A sports journey is made of more than rankings, minutes, and results. It is also made of the moments that remind a child why they wanted to play. Parents can notice and protect those moments: belonging with teammates, learning something new, laughing after practice, or feeling proud of effort. A fuller picture of success can help families keep joy in view when sports becomes demanding.
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2 resultsEight Red Flags That a Youth Sports Program Isn't Serving Your Child
From fear of retaliation to win-at-all-costs culture to pressure to specialize early — Steve Borelli outlines eight warning signs that a youth sports program has lost sight of what it's supposed to be for.
August 3, 2025
Youth Sports Has a Hefty Price Tag. What Are You Actually Buying?
The average U.S. sports family spends over $1,000 per child per year on their primary sport — and many spend far more. But are we getting what we're paying for? A deep look at the real cost of youth sports, who gets left behind, and what we can do differently.
January 17, 2026