The Road to Varsity: Lessons from Little League

Submitted by Barbara Bleiweis on Mon, 09/23/2013 - 15:14. | comments

My relocation to North Carolina temporarily disrupted my officiating schedule. With membership into a new association pending, I needed to find a way to work on my game during the summer and fall without the benefit of regularly scheduled summer basketball. Tennis provided an excellent venue for physical preparation. Tennis, like basketball requires fitness, quickness, teamwork and stamina. But while tennis helped with the physical game, it was watching Little League baseball, more than anything else, that helped the most with the mental side of basketball officiating.

A high school basketball official prepares for the upcoming season by learning valuable lessons on the mental aspects of sports by watching the fun 10-year-olds have playing Little League baseball.

Emily Cohen

Coaching Apps: The Next Big Thing?

Submitted by Emily Cohen on Wed, 08/15/2012 - 16:52. | comments

The 2012 London Summer Olympic Games are now but a memory, but the accomplishments of the most notable and visible athletes, such as Alex Morgan, Gabby Douglas, Allyson Felix, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, and Usain Bolt, are clearly going to have a long-lasting impact on youth athletes with similar aspirations of glory.

The 2012 London Summer Olympic Games are over but its athletes have no doubt inspired a whole generation of youth athletes to aspire to achieve the same kind of glory. But how many parents have the kind of money to invest in private trainers and coaches that is required to achieve gold medal status? Enter the new era of personalized sports instruction via smart phone app.

A Team In A Slump (Part III): Unlikely Player Sparks Attitude Adjustment

Praise from a youth baseball coach for a player whose uncharacteristic hitting performances had been wasted during a long losing streak prompts a change in the team's attitude that brings the slump to an end.

A Team in A Slump (Part II): The Birth of a Baseball Koan

When a team, whatever the sport, is in a slump, it may leave the coach scratching his or her head, looking for answers. For one longtime baseball coach and author, the surprising answer may be to take a Zen Buddhist approach.

A Team in A Slump (Part I): The Psychological Pain of Under-Performing

At some point during a season, a team, regardless of the sport or level of play, will under-perform. But as much psychological pain and even physical discomfort as the slump may inflict on a coach, remaining positive is a coach's only choice.

Athletic Values, Leadership Skills Need to Be Taught in Youth Sports

The vast majority of children who play youth sports don't end up in the pros. So what is the real purpose of amateur sports? Most parents will say for children to learn athletic values and leadership skills. But exactly how does that happen? As a culture, we expect student-athletes will become leaders by merely participating in sports. But these values need to be taught.

Youth Baseball Pitching: Teaching Proper Mechanics Critical

One of the best ways to protect against arm injuries in youth baseball and maximize your child's natural ability is to teach proper pitching mechanics at as early an age as possible. Teaching your child about pitching mechanics doesn't need to be complicated, and it doesn't need to be too technical, but you and your child must be willing to commit enough time to understand the entire process, step by step.

Coaching