This Week’s Playbook. I’ve always found that the best sign of future success is an athlete who trains on their own…not just at practices, or with their trainer or because their parents told them to. So this week we have some great ideas for getting your athlete training at home in our “Tools For Your Athlete” Section. Here’s what else we have tee’d up and you can click on any of these links to go straight to that section:

“There will come a day when the sideline chairs stay folded in the garage but today is not that day.
So soak in the sunshine, the cheers, and the simple joy of watching your child play the sport they love.”

Practice canceled? Again? Don't worry, your home is about to become the hottest training facility in town (no membership fees required). Whether it's cold outside, the field is booked, or your kid just wants to get better (ah the sweet sound of self-motivation), these 8 at-home training tips will keep them sharp. From turning household items into agility equipment to FaceTiming teammates for accountability, we're breaking down how young athletes can level up their skills using nothing more than creativity and consistency. Spoiler: a rolled-up sock might become your new favorite training tool. Get creative and start training.

—Ian Goldberg

Or add some other tools to your athlete’s toolbox:

🥍 8 Easy Lacrosse Drills Every Beginner Should Know

❤️‍🩹 Why Your Daughter Says “Sorry” All The Time (and what to do about it)

🏆 How to Get on a College Coach’s Radar (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let's be honest: coaching youth sports is hard. You're juggling a dozen different skill levels, managing parents who think their kid is the next LeBron (don’t deny it, every parent is guilty of this), and trying to teach teamwork to a group of 10-year-olds who just discovered TikTok dances. Positive coaching means creating an environment where kids actually want to show up, where mistakes are learning opportunities (not reasons to get benched), and where everyone feels like they belong, without being a pushover who lets kids slack off. From communicating without crushing spirits to setting realistic goals that don't involve winning every game, we're breaking down what it actually means to be a coach who makes a difference. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with your win-loss record. Coach like a pro and read on.

—Maddie Soviero

Or find other coach resources here:

🧑‍🧒 How to Create a Positive Culture on Your Youth Sports Team

‼️ VIDEO: Using the Buddy System to Fill Your Athlete’s Emotional Tank

💭 Confidence Isn’t Built on Compliments (Here’s What Actually Works)

Ah, Year 2. Last year your kid was obsessed with soccer and now they suddenly think they're terrible and want to quit. Welcome to the Year 2 Drop-Off, where the novelty wears off, comparison kicks in, and confidence takes a nosedive right when kids are on the verge of actually getting good. The good news? This phase is completely normal and totally preventable. From normalizing the struggle (because almost every athlete goes through it) to focusing on personal progress instead of how they stack up against the kid who's been playing since preschool, we're breaking down how to help your child push through this critical phase without turning sports into a source of stress. Spoiler: confidence matters way more than outcomes in Year 2. Keep them in the game and read on.

—Kim Pope

Or find other tips for sideline parents here:

🥍 This Giving Tuesday We’re Inviting Our Community to Support Kids Lacrosse Africa (KLA)

🚗 The Car Ride Home: How to Talk to Your Kid After the Game

🤬 Is the Parent Pledge the Secret to Reducing Heated Sideline Moments

The best players in the world play in the NWSL, and The Guardian's annual "Top 100 Female Footballers in the World 2025" list proves it. With 18 NWSL players making the cut (representing eight different teams), the league is absolutely stacked with talent. Kansas City's Temwa Chawinga landed at No. 6 after sweeping MVP and Golden Boot honors in back-to-back seasons, while Orlando's Barbra Banda cracked the Top 20 despite spending much of the season sidelined with injury. Gotham's Esther González made the biggest leap, jumping from No. 76 to No. 17, and five NWSL players earned spots for the first time. The takeaway? If your young soccer player dreams of playing at the highest level, the NWSL is where the best in the world compete. See the full list here.

Or check out other tips from the pros here:

🥅 VIDEO: NHL All-Star Ryan Kessler on the Life Lesson He Learned from his Dad

🏋️ VIDEO: Morning Workout With Kobe and Never Getting Bored With The Basics

🧢 VIDEO: Johnny Damon on Being a Sports Parent to 8 Kids

Why not parlay your next tournament into a family vacation? This week’s article rounds up 8 U.S. destinations where youth sports and family fun intersect — from Cooperstown to San Diego — all with IHG Hotels & Resorts making travel easier for sports families.. Start your journey here…

Or get other travel tips here:

📚 How to Keep Howework and Sports from Colliding, at Home or on the Road

🚘 What Parents Can Say on the Car Ride Home

📊 Is this the Disney Era for the Youth Sports Industry?

Have a great sports week,

Ian Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief

Follow our sport parents and athletes building the future of youth sports.