Serving Camp Leaders Since 2012

Category: Coaches Corner

Fueling Performance During the Holidays: How Athletes Can Stay on Track Without Missing the Fun

Fueling Performance During the Holidays: How Athletes Can Stay on Track Without Missing the Fun

by on December 11, 2025

The holidays are a time of celebration, travel, and well-deserved downtime. But for athletes—especially youth and high-school athletes—this season can also disrupt routines, shake up training schedules, and make balanced eating a challenge. Between big family meals, holiday parties, and travel days, it’s easy to drift away from the habits that support performance. The good…

How Camps and Clinics Can Be Your Program’s Secret Weapon for Growth

How Camps and Clinics Can Be Your Program’s Secret Weapon for Growth

by on October 15, 2025

Every coach wants to build a strong, sustainable program—one that develops talent, engages the community, and leaves a lasting legacy. While practices, games, and off-season training are critical, there’s one powerful tool that often gets overlooked: camps and clinics. Well-run camps aren’t just a summer side project. They’re a strategic way to grow your program,…

How to Best Use Camps and Clinics for Winter Sports in the Fall

How to Best Use Camps and Clinics for Winter Sports in the Fall

by on August 7, 2025

As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures drop, fall becomes the perfect time to start preparing for winter sports. Whether your athletes are into hockey, skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, or basketball, fall camps and clinics offer a strategic advantage to build skills, boost conditioning, and gain a mental edge before the winter season…

5 Proven Ways to Help Young Athletes Build Confidence (That Lasts)

5 Proven Ways to Help Young Athletes Build Confidence (That Lasts)

by on April 21, 2025

Let’s be honest—confidence can make or break a young athlete’s season. You’ve probably seen it: the kid who nails every drill in practice but freezes in games… or the player who won’t shoot, pass, or lead—not because they can’t, but because they don’t believe they can. Confidence isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the foundation of…

The Pros and Cons of Specialization in Youth Sports

The Pros and Cons of Specialization in Youth Sports

by on December 30, 2024

Youth sports have become increasingly competitive, with many young athletes focusing on a single sport year-round in pursuit of excellence. This trend, known as early specialization, has sparked debate among coaches, parents, and sports scientists. While there are undeniable benefits, there are also significant risks. Below, we explore both sides of the issue to help…

Proposed Change to Birth Year Registration Date Cutoffs in U.S. Youth Soccer – What It Could Mean for Players and Development

Proposed Change to Birth Year Registration Date Cutoffs in U.S. Youth Soccer – What It Could Mean for Players and Development

by on November 19, 2024

The U.S. youth soccer landscape is constantly evolving, with changes aimed at maximizing player development, participation, and the competitiveness of American soccer. One of the latest proposed changes gaining traction is shifting from a birth year-based age grouping system to one aligned with the school year. This change could have a significant impact on players,…

Why Coaches Should Run Separate Skill Training Sessions

Why Coaches Should Run Separate Skill Training Sessions

by on October 16, 2024

Coaches often face the challenge of maximizing their athletes’ potential while juggling limited practice time and a packed competition schedule. Additionally, some sports don’t have a natural pipeline of athletes – coaches need a way to draw in kids who may be interested in playing their sport. One powerful way to address all of this…