Can you make an ALL-STAR ?

The answer is no. But as a coach, you play a crucial role in helping young athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

Today, kids are walking away from sports at alarming rates due to overuse injuries. More than 3.5 million children under the age of 14 require treatment for sports-related injuries each year, with nearly half of all sports injuries in middle and high school students caused by overuse. This is where smart coaching strategies and the right sports coaching technology can make a difference.

Many parents believe that pushing their child harder will give them an edge, but ironically, this can harm their athletic future more than help it. Coaches using sports coaching software and a practice planning app can create well-balanced training sessions that prioritize development over outdated, high-intensity work drills. Whether you're using hockey coaching drills, soccer coaching drills, or lacrosse coaching drills, it's important to tailor practices to an athlete’s needs while considering their overall activity levels.

Redefining Success in Sports
 

Success in sports doesn’t mean always being the star player. It doesn’t mean starting every game or being the top scorer. Instead, success can come in many forms.

Take this story, for example: A high school senior considered quitting his hockey team because he was getting less playing time than in his junior year. However, he chose to stay and embraced his role as the backup goalie. At the end-of-season awards dinner, his coach named him the team's Most Valuable Player.

On paper, he wasn’t the best player. He wasn’t the starter, and his stats weren’t remarkable. But his coach recognized something deeper: This player showed up to every practice, worked the hardest, remained engaged, and supported his team without complaint. That was his success.

Too often, we focus only on success that leads to scholarships or professional contracts, but there are other, equally important ways to achieve success. With the help of tools like CoachThem, coaches can create structured, custom drills for coaches that support both skill development and personal growth.

What Can Parents Do?
 

You can’t change the entire youth sports system overnight, but parents can contribute by practicing positive, supportive behavior. Focus on the joy of the game rather than external rewards. Encouraging a well-rounded approach to sports—one that includes fun, teamwork, and skill-building—is what truly creates an All-Star.

By leveraging coaching tools like team practice planners, sports practice management software, and athlete development platforms, coaches can ensure that every player, regardless of their role, is given the opportunity to grow and contribute. Whether you're coaching hockey, soccer, or lacrosse, success isn’t just about making the All-Star—it’s about fostering a lifelong love for the game.

 

 

Written by Robb Tallas and the CoachThem Team

 

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