This Week’s Playbook. Sometimes as parents or coaches, we get so caught up in the Xs and Os of skill development that we forget about the importance of simple things like Rest and Routine for our young athletes….perhaps the two easiest things to impact. So this week we share some tips for upping your game with better rest and a consistent routine. Here’s what else we have tee’d up:

“Your child lights up when you notice their effort, and that spark is worth more than any medal. Celebrate every try, every hustle, every moment they show heart — those are the victories they’ll remember.”

Your kid has practice Monday, a game Tuesday, training Wednesday, another game Friday, a tournament all day Saturday, and wants to hit the batting cages Sunday. Somewhere in that schedule, they're supposed to eat, sleep, and maybe do homework. Here's the truth nobody wants to hear: rest days aren't optional, and skipping them is probably why your athlete keeps getting injured or suddenly "hates" their sport. Rest isn't soft or lazy—it's when the body actually repairs itself, when mental burnout gets prevented, and when performance improves for the long haul. From avoiding overuse injuries to keeping sports fun instead of a stress factory, we're breaking down why taking a day off might be the smartest training move your kid makes all season. Rest up and read on.

—Ian Goldberg

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

⚽ Tired? Light-headed? You’re Not Eating Right Before Practice

💭 Building Confidence That Survives Missed Shots and Tough Games

🧘‍♂️ Why Every Athlete Needs A Pre-Game Routine

So you're coaching youth sports and your team looks about as motivated as a sloth on a Monday morning. Yelling doesn't work (shocking, we know), and bribing them with pizza only lasts until halftime. The truth is, motivation doesn't come from dramatic pep talks or threats to run extra laps. It comes from building real relationships with your players, setting achievable goals they can actually hit, and creating a culture where effort matters more than outcomes. From making practice fun (because monotony kills motivation faster than a boring drill) to teaching resilience when things go wrong, we're breaking down how to inspire your team to perform without losing your voice or your sanity. Bonus: you'll learn why being a good role model matters way more than being a great strategist. Motivate your team and read on.

—Maddie Soviero

Or find other coach resources here:

🏆 The Coaches Kids Remember Forever (and How to Be One)

🧾 The Tryout Blueprint Every Coach Wishes They Had

🙌 Top Tips for Building Team Culture

It's Tuesday at 6 p.m. and you're eating a granola bar in your car outside the soccer field because that's dinner now. Your kid's at practice, your other kid needs pickup in 20 minutes, homework hasn't been started, and somehow you're supposed to make it to a tournament three hours away on Saturday at 7 a.m. Sound familiar? Youth sports schedules have become absurdly demanding, and without the right systems you'll lose your mind, your weekends, and any remaining family time you had left. From protecting sleep (because nobody functions on five hours) to mastering the tournament weekend without spending $60 on sad concession stand nachos, we're breaking down how to manage youth sports schedules without burning out. Bonus: carpooling strategies that'll save your sanity and why it's totally okay to skip a tournament when your family needs a break. Take back your time 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)

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

🫂 When your athlete’s ready to talk, skip the small talk. Start with connection.

The Washington Spirit roster represents 11 countries, and their locker room sounds like a United Nations meeting—except instead of translators, they're using hand gestures, physical demonstrations, and the occasional helpful teammate who speaks three languages. Rosemonde Kouassi (French speaker from Cote d'Ivoire) and Gift Monday (English speaker from Nigeria) have connected for five goals despite having zero shared language, proving that soccer really doesn't need words when you've got chemistry. From Kysha Sylla cooking French food for teammates to grocery shopping trips where nobody knows what's being made but everyone knows it'll be good, the Spirit are living proof that the best teams don't need a common language—they just need a common goal. Plus, when you're that fast and unpredictable, opponents can't figure out what you're doing even if you were speaking the same language. See the full story here.

Or check out other tips from the pros here:

🎯 When Setting Up Goals Becomes a Record of Its Own

🥇 The Teen Who Turned 20 With a New NWSL Record to Her Name

🧢 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 Homework and Sports from Colliding, at Home or on the Road

🚘 What Parents Can Say on the Car Ride Home

🔥 America’s Favorite Youth Sports and What’s Fueling Their Growth

Have a great sports week,

Ian Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief

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