Steve Kerr on “Player-Led Teams"

As a sports parent and coach, I know how complicated youth sports can be at times. So I’d like to share some helpful articles that shed light on the challenges we face… and some funny ones that might even give us an opportunity to laugh at ourselves. Please enjoy… and please click here to try our iSport360 app… 80,000 coaches, players and parents set goals, share player feedback, foster healthy team communication and engage parents in a positive way with our platform. Our goal is simple: to help kids have more success, more confidence, and more fun. The complete list of sports available on iSport360: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Futsal, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball.

— Ian and the iSport360 Team —

Player-Led Teams Always Outperform Coach-Led Teams

Thanks to performance coach and author Alan Stein Jr. for sharing this video and reminding us that player-led teams always outperform coach-led teams. This is true at the pro level but should be a goal for youth sports teams too. There is no doubt that as the kids get older, they should be taking control of their own team, their own development and their own success. In learning circles, we talk about “empowering” kids to become “self-aware” as an athlete and as a person. Click here to read more & watch the video!

The Decline of Free Play: TED Talk with Peter Gray

Thanks to my friend James Leath at Changing the Game Project for sharing this video. There’s no doubt that today’s youth sports programs help to keep kids active and healthy, but researcher Peter Gray eloquently points out why kids also need “free play” environments where they can explore, self-govern and resolve conflict, socialize and excel without the direction of adults. Click here to watch this TED Talk.