Even leaders need a little help finding new ways to lead. That's where Soldiers to Sidelines, an organization that helps integrate military personnel into youth sports, comes into play. Based in Washington D.C., and founded by Harrison Bernstein, a three-time All-American football player and former NFL trainer, Soldiers to Sidelines takes veterans and teaches them the most cutting edge coaching [...]
When Chan Yuen-Ting was a child, she forged her mother's signature and enrolled in a soccer youth leadership program. She signed the paperwork herself because she knew her parents wouldn't be supportive of their girl's desire to get so involved with sports. That program was her springboard. She was eventually offered a statistical analysis position by the manager of Hong [...]
Kelli McKandless and her volleyball team. Photo courtesy of Kelli McKandless. By Patti Putnicki It’s the era of the sports prodigy; a time when young athletes are taking the podium, winning championships and making headlines. Mo’Ne, Missy, Jordan—each seemingly emerging from the birth canal ready to compete; each supercharging their respective sports, with a legion of fans in [...]
Purpose2Play: Setting team and individual goals are so important for success. Talk about the importance and process of setting goals. Dr. Cheri Toledo: When we shoot at nothing, we will always hit it. It is important to understand that sometimes by not setting goals we never have to deal with our fears of not fulfilling them. If this avoidance is [...]
Purpose2Play: It happens. Like athletes, coaches can get burnt out, too. What are some good indicators that you need a break from coaching? Dr. Cheri Toledo: With the increases in year-round programs and the heightened levels and intensity of competition, coach burnout is more common than we would guess. Let’s start by defining burnout: mental and emotional fatigue. Unfortunately, the [...]
Purpose2Play: Are there differences when coaching boys/men and girls/women? Dr. Cheri Toledo: Communication is key to understanding some of the differences that male coaches need to be aware of when coaching girls and women. Deborah Tannen wrote a book call, You Just Don’t Understand, which provides some important information for understanding the differences in how boys/men and girls/women communicate. She [...]
We're well into spring training, but I'll take you to the uneven bars to show you the catch of the year. Actually, I'll show you two of them. At the L'International Gymnix competition in Montreal, Sara Berardinelli didn't clear the bar, and fell head first toward the ground. However, the Italian gymnast was caught by her coach just inches before [...]
We're back with Licensed Psychotherapist and member of the Florida State Athletic Behavioral Health Team, Paul Peavy, to talk about interactions with referees. (Photo: Paul Peavy) As a coach, interacting with officials is part of the job, and it can actually make or break games. Paul brings his expertise to us as we discuss the challenges that may [...]
In our effort to give coaches at all levels more guidance as they lead athletes to greatness, and as they navigate an often unpredictable sports world, we've asked our resident Licensed Psychotherapist and member of the Member of Florida State Athletic Behavioral Health Team, Paul Peavy, to step in for bi-weekly coaching-related Q&A sessions. (Paul Peavy) Paul has been [...]
The San Antonio Spurs are one of the most fundamentally sound and successful teams in all of professional sports. It's no surprise then that Tuesday they became the first NBA, NFL, MLB, or NHL team to hire a female to their coaching staff. Sixteen-year WNBA veteran and six-time all-star Becky Hammon, 37, was hired on as an assistant coach under [...]