A Coach's Diary

"But coach, I can't run because I hurt my wrist." I once coached a kid, let's call him Taylor, who was very injury-prone. It felt like each week during the pre-season, he was hurting something, and Taylor was starting to spend as much time in the training room as he was on the court. This was happening before practice officially started for high school basketball in Texas, but we were able to do strength and conditioning before school to get their bodies prepared for the season, and we were able to do skills training and scrimmage during our period. Taylor had a lot of potential, and he had a legit chance to make the varsity team as a sophomore and play meaningful minutes, but the injuries were hurting his chances. Injuries can be difficult to manage as a high school coach, especially during the grind of the off-season. On one hand, we want to honor the injuries and make sure that we do what we can to keep our athletes healthy. On the other hand, we had to figure out ...

If you have ever gone through anything devastating like a serious injury, then you know how scary, painful, and hard it can be to deal with. The video below is a story that ESPN did of Azzi Fudd and how she tore her knee and her road to recovery. Azzi Fudd is one of the best basketball players in the country and she will be a freshman for the UConn basketball team in 2021-2022. Azzi was the first sophomore to ever win the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award in 2019, when she averaged 26 points per game for St. Johns High School in Washington D.C. She was considered the best high school player in the country and a generational talent, and then she tore her ACL and her MCL the summer after her sophomore year while attending. She was driving to the basket during the USA Basketball 3 on 3 National Championships when she tore them. Azzi's mother said that she could see the fear in her eyes when it happened. Azzi said that she had never had an injury like that...

It's very easy to get caught up with trying to 'keep up with the Joneses' in youth sports.  At ridiculously earlier ages, we are pushing our kids to specialize in one sport in a rat race to nowhere , even to the detriment of what's best from and physical and mental standpoint for our young athletes.   The world of youth sports can be confusing, complicated and an emotional roller coaster for athletes and parents if you let it.  My recommendation for any parent getting lost in the struggle of what to do with their young athlete is to be lead by 3 questions: 1 - Is your athlete having fun? 2 - Is your athlete getting better? 3 - Is your athlete doing the best that they can? Is Your Athlete Having Fun We overthink and over-analyze this sports thing.  We play sports to stay in shape, have fun, and compete.  Fun and enjoyment and joy should drive their attendance at an early age while building up a healthy level of competition.  ...