John Yeigh - Win The Youth Sports Game: How Ordinary Kids Can Thrive

Praise for Win The Youth Sports Game

Win The Youth Sports Game is a must-read for every parent who finds themselves caught in the grasp of the youth-sport industrial complex. John nails the challenges, joys, and obstacles that young athletes and their parents face as they climb the competitive ladder. Whether your athlete is two years old, eighteen years old, or somewhere in between, you will learn about the road you are traveling and how to navigate it to a positive and healthy destination. Jim Taylor, PhD, author of Raising Young Athletes: Parenting Your Children to Victory in Sports and Life.

John Yeigh gives a unique perspective of the youth-sports journey. Keeping the big picture of the real value of youth sports in mind, he covers 54 obstacles and challenges that young athletes must overcome on their journey. This is eye-opening for parents and coaches alike and is not meant to discourage parents from embarking on the journey with their kids, but to prepare them for the road ahead. This is an important resource for parents because, although nothing fully prepares a parent for the youth-sports journey, they will have a clearer picture of what to expect and ultimately make the experience better. Janis Meredith, author of 11 Habits of Happy and Positive Sports Parents, and coach for sports parents.

I love seeing parents think deeply about how to improve childrens athletic experience. Win The Youth Sports Game is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about healthy, positive participation in sports. Angie Abdou, author of Home Ice: Reflections of a Reluctant Hockey Mom.

I love how John takes the reader on a journey from youth to college sequentiallywhat a cool concept. He has given a must-open gift to parents and coaches who want better for their kids. If you are currently in the muck of everyday youth sports, this book will help you get above the mess, so that you can clearly see how to help your athlete thrive in a youth sports world where most are frustrated and burnt out. Andrew Simpson, author of The Youth Truth: Coaching & Parenting in Todays Crazy Youth Sports World, and performance and mindset coach.

When a kindred spirit takes an enormous amount of time and energy to get out the truth about youth sports, Im all for it. The book is spot-on for parents to help their athletes. All of it. Steve Morris, author of What Size Balls Do I Need?, soccer coach, and youth-sports advocate.

As any parent of a young athlete quickly discovers, youth sports can be a complex and treacherous maze, where good intentions can often get lost in all the competitiveness. John Yeighs new book is an invaluable guide to navigate this world, written with real insight and perspective by a parent who knows all the ropes. Id have given a lot to have read it before my own kids started sports! W. D. Wetherell, author of Soccer Dad.

John Yeigh thoroughly addresses the issues confronting successful outcomes for children and sports. The youth sports conflicts are at a boiling point for American children, their families, and schoolsand John has identified 54 obstacles we adults must work to recognize and overcome. His is a must-read for those of us involved with children and sport. John E. Tufte, EdD, author of Crazy-Proofing High School Sports.

Navigating the modern youth-sports journey can be taxing and expensive. Win The Youth Sports Game does a phenomenal job of highlighting the challenges and guiding the necessary steps specific to a players needs. Mike Just, author of Just Baseball, coach and former professional.

Copyright 2021 by John Yeigh

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Brian Peterson

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-6345-6

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-68358-431-5

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all sports moms and dads who make the journeys possible, the coaches who enrich their athletes personal development, and most especially, Megan and Evan, who shared their journeys with me.

Disclaimer

This book is nonfiction and represents, to the best of recollection, the events, observations, information, views, and opinions of the author. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or implied by the author, editors, or publisher. The publisher, editors, and author shall not be liable for any use, action, interpretation, errors, or omissions of this work that leads to physical, psychological, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, incidental, consequential, or other damages. Our views and rights hold that readers are responsible for their own choices, actions, and results.

Acknowledgments

F irst and foremost, my thanks to Evan and Megan, who shared their challenging and successful sports journeys with me. Special kudos to soccer mom extraordinaire Karen, who did the heavy lifting in managing our kids relentless youth-sports pursuits. Karen was also a supportive writing widow and proofreader throughout my authorship journey.

A hearty thanks to all the coaches, organizers, and volunteers that contribute to youth sports and the resultant positive development of kids. The following coaches deserve a direct honorable mention for their service to youth sports in general and Evan in particular: Jeff, Larry, Peter, Milko, John, Roger, Oscar, Doug, Tim, Kenny, K, Nate, Mike M, Tom P, Jason, Ryan B, Tom F, Ben O, Gary, Frank, Mike B, Ian, Dafydd, Darren, Eddie, Mastro, Ryan P, Stimmo, Paul, Darrin, and Pat. Special kudos to Coach Kenny who was an unpaid volunteer coach for seven years. Coaches Kenny and K, plus team manager Mike, also did a tremendous job of managing seven years of complex travel-team logistics.

I sincerely appreciate the help of my supportive editors Anne Cherry, Jessica Moreland, and Elizabeth Zack. I also want to thank my editors at Skyhorse Publishing: Jay Cassell, Kirsten Dalley, and Jennifer L.S. Pearsall.

Finally, my thanks to illustrator Timna Green and photographer Carolyn Kobosko.

Prologue

The 5,854-Day Journey Begins

W hen our family moved to England from the U.S. in 2001, our seven-year-old daughter, Megan, was fast and athletic. In soccer-crazed England, not only do athletic kids play soccer, every kid plays soccer. There are no exceptions. And, so, like all expatriates from the states, we immediately signed up Megan to play for her school team.