Supporting the “whole child” youth athlete

By Holly Moscatiello

How can we support the whole child athlete in a world of high pressure youth sports & activities?🏃‍♀️⚽🩰

We brought together coaches, a physical therapist, a sports psychologist, and parents for an honest conversation. Here are our key takeaways from the conversation:

❓Start with "the why": Ask your child why they want to participate and ask yourself why you want them to. Do the answers align, or reveal a disconnect worth discussing?

🥧 Sport should be part of who they are, not all of who they are. Other interests protect kids when things get hard. Value their efforts, not just the outcome.

🔄 Multi-sport kids tend to be healthier, more resilient athletes. Around 70% of kids quit organized sports by 13, and early specialization raises the risk of burnout and injury. New sports build new movement patterns, and adapting to new coaches and teams builds grit.

⏳ Late starters can catch up. Older kids learn fast and often arrive without burnout. The kid nobody wanted at 12 can be the kid everyone wants at 18.

🛑 Rest is part of training. Aim for 1–2 days off a week, and no more weekly hours of organized sport than your child's age. Seasons should have an off-season.

🗣️ Coaching style really matters. Look for a coach and program that align with your family values. Keep an ongoing dialogue with your coach and encourage your kids (even little ones) to do the same.

💛 Process over performance. Ask what your child did to help their team, not just whether they scored. Simple mantras and reset routines help kids bounce back.

👀 They're watching us. Think about how you're showing up on the sidelines and on the drive home. Are you modeling the behavior you hope to see? Do they know they matter no matter the score?

🧠Think it through. Decide what makes sense for your family, not based on external pressure or what everyone else is doing. Starting early and going hard doesn't guarantee success.

Ultimately, the skills our kids gain from sports and activities like coachability, teamwork, and resilience matter more than any stat, score or scholarship!