Youth-Athlete's Sport Blog

On March 31, 2008, ESPN was running Kobe Bryant's jump over an Aston Martin.  Is it real or fake?  Not to be outdone, on April 24, 2008, Kenny Smith (a TNT Sports commentator) had to duplicate the stunt.  Did Kenny make it?  Watch an see.

WARNING:  Do not perform this stunt at home! More...

For the past two weeks the NCAA men's and women's basketball teams have been competing in their conference playoffs.  If you love basketball like I do then you have probably watched a few games.  This season seems to have a lot of parity between the top ranked teams in the conferences and many games are being decided by a couple points.  With so many close games, I am finding myself talking to my kids and players about the importance of each possession and how a misplay in an early quarter is just as devastating as one in the fourth quarter.  I keep bringing up a poem written by Jeff Smith while he was a Coach at Dayton that highlights the value of each possession.  More...

Over the past seven years of coaching, I do not believe I have seen anything more devastating to a team or player's ability than lack of belief in one's ability.  Individuals can move mountains and a player can carry a team through a tough game, if they believe they can do it.  Teams that are the bottom of the standings can competitively play the top ranked team, if they believe. It is mind or physical matter.   When a team is playing in an age or grade appropriate league or tournament, the difference between two teams is much less the physical difference than the mental difference.  Competitive sports is 10% physical and 90% mental.  More...

Last week, I have watched three close high school basketball games in the local area and in each one free throws determined the outcome.  When it comes to the end of game, free throw shots, more often than not, determine the final outcome.  But, shooting foul shots at the end of the game are different than shooting free throws in practice for two reasons: 1) the players are fatigued, and 2) they shoot them in pressure situations.  More...

Youth sports provides many benefits, such as exercise and time with friends, but athletic endeavors also provide lessons that can be used through an individual's life. I would contend that in the bigger scheme of an individual's life that the value of playing youth sports is much, much bigger. Competitive athletics can teach young adults the life lessons of performing under pressure, overcoming self imposed limits, working as a team, and adapting quickly when situations are not going as planned.  More...