The Huddle - Edition 68

Insight of the week
Trophy Chasing - The Problem with Prioritizing the Wong Win

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to win. Competition is the heartbeat of sports — it fuels effort, focus, and excitement. But in youth sports, the definition of winning has drifted. Too often, it’s measured only by the size of the trophy or the number of medals hanging from a kid’s neck. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that the real goal of youth sports isn’t just to create winners — it’s to create learners, teammates, and resilient kids who can handle both success and failure.

Today’s youth sports landscape has become saturated with club tournaments, travel leagues, and “elite” teams promising exposure and championships. Many families chase wins because they believe that success on the scoreboard equals success in development. But when kids play for results rather than growth, they lose out on valuable lessons — perseverance, accountability, and the joy of the game itself.

This week, we’re exploring how this mindset has taken hold, why it’s damaging long-term development, and what coaches and parents can do to bring the focus back to where it belongs: effort, attitude, and improvement.

Please share this newsletter with a parent or coach. Encourage them to sign up. It’s a small ask, but it can have a big impact on helping us grow this really awesome community.

Follow us on the social channel of your choice (click on icons at the end or search @the_coaching_dad) and visit www.thecoachingdad.com.

Lets go!

Insight of the week
Winning Isn’t the Enemy - It’s the Obsession That’s the Problem

In youth sports, “winning” is often seen as the ultimate validation of hard work, but it’s also where adults can unintentionally shift the focus from growth to gratification. When young athletes start believing that their value depends on whether they win, they play scared — afraid to make mistakes, try new things, or take on challenges. Confidence becomes conditional, and the sport becomes pressure instead of passion.

Here’s how we, as coaches and parents, can start rewriting that narrative:

1. Redefine Success in Real Time.
   After games, resist the urge to ask, “Did you win?” and instead ask, “Did you have fun?” or “What did you learn today?” Those simple questions reshape the athlete’s mindset from outcome-driven to experience-driven.

2. Model Composure and Perspective.
   Kids are watching how we handle losses just as much as they’re watching how we handle wins. If we treat defeat like disaster, they will too. Celebrate their effort, not just the outcome. When adults normalize setbacks, kids learn to bounce back stronger.

3. Choose Tournaments That Build, Not Break.
   When selecting tournaments or leagues, focus on balanced competition where kids can experience both challenge and success. Dominating every weekend might feel good, but it doesn’t teach much. Struggling a bit — and learning to overcome — is what develops real athletes.

4. Recognize Effort Publicly.
   Make “Player of the Game” about hustle, communication, or leadership. When players see effort rewarded, they’ll keep giving it — regardless of what the scoreboard says.

The truth is, winning is important. It teaches teamwork, focus, and preparation. But if winning becomes the only goal, we risk raising athletes who don’t know how to handle adversity. True coaching success comes from helping kids love the process as much as the result.

Drill of the week
Infield Glove Work

Goal:
Building Confident Fielders Through Repetition and Fundamentals.

Setup:

• Place 3 cones or markers about 5 feet apart in a triangle (to represent front, forehand, and backhand positions).

• Coach or partner stands ~15 feet away with softballs.

• Player is in an athletic ready position in front of the triangle.

Execution:

1. Coach calls out “Front,” “Forehand,” or “Backhand” and rolls or softly tosses a ball to that angle.

2. Player moves to the proper spot, sets their feet, fields the ball cleanly with two hands, and makes a clean throw back.

3. Reset to center after each rep. Focus on footwork, body alignment, and staying low.

4. Rotate through 10-15 reps per position.

Coaching Notes:

• For front-hand reps, emphasize charging the ball with intent.

• For backhand, keep the glove low and shoulder turned.

• Encourage players to stay athletic — this drill is just as much about body control as it is glove work.

Coaching tip of the week
Relieving the Pressure of Winning

The way we talk about the game before, during, and after competition shapes how kids experience it. When everything is about the scoreboard, the joy and creativity that make youth sports magical get squeezed out. Here’s how coaches and parents can start lifting that weight:

1. Set the Tone Early.
Before the season starts, talk to players and parents about what success looks like for your team. Make it clear that development, effort, and teamwork are priorities. When everyone understands the mission, the scoreboard doesn’t dominate the conversation.

2. Use “Growth Moments” Instead of “Teachable Moments.”
Teachable moments imply correction. Growth moments emphasize progress. When a player makes an error, say, “That was a tough one — what can we try next time?” instead of, “You have to make that play.” Language shifts like this build resilience instead of fear.

3. Decompress Post-Game.
Win or lose, wait until emotions settle before offering feedback. Car rides home aren’t the time for analysis — they’re the time for support. Let kids vent, celebrate, or reflect without judgment.

4. Don’t Reward Only Results.
Recognize players who demonstrate effort, sportsmanship, and teamwork — especially in tough games. Those acknowledgments help kids see value beyond the final score.

5. Remember That Fun Fuels Progress.
When practices are engaging and kids feel supported, improvement happens naturally. Fun and focus are not opposites — they’re partners in development.

Blog highlight
Trophy Chasing in Youth Sports

If you’ve spent even a few minutes around youth sports, you’ve probably seen it: teams stacking rosters with “ringers,” leagues offering medals for every participant, coaches judged primarily by win-loss record, and parents pushing hard for trophies above all else. At its core, “trophy chasing” in youth athletics is fueled by ambition, identity, and sometimes fear. But when taken too far, it erodes what sports should really be about: growth, joy, resilience, and character.

The Volunteer Coach Academy
New Price for You Newsletter Subscribers

Thank you for following and engaging with me here.

You’ve seen the tips and tools I share each week—now imagine everything you need to coach with confidence, all in one place. I’ve built a complete course designed specifically for volunteer and parent-coaches to help you feel prepared, supported, and ready to lead. Whether you’re stepping on the field for the first time or just want to get better for your kid’s sake, this course was made for you.

Oh and if you aren’t ready for the course yet, still check out the link to learn more because there’s a free Coach’s Guide that you can start using instantly.

Book highlight
The Constant Coach

This isn’t just a book—it’s your daily reset.
The Constant Coach delivers 366 motivational messages for coaches and parents who lead with more than a whistle and a clipboard. Whether you’re on the field, in the gym, or at the kitchen table planning practice, this book will guide you to show up with purpose, patience, and presence.

Each daily entry is built around real coaching values—like character, communication, confidence, and composure—and comes with practical insights, tough love, and thoughtful reflection. It’s written for:

• Volunteer parents stepping up to lead

• Career coaches seeking steady perspective

• Anyone trying to grow the next generation through sports

You won’t find fluff here. Just honest encouragement, insights, tips, and reminders of why the work matters—even on the hard days.

Friends of The Coaching Dad
A Refreshing Look at Fundraising

How many of you have teams that use fundraisers to help support the teams activities for the year. I don’t know about you, but I get tired of selling pizzas and other things that seem to be played out. These are customizable and so big! You’ll love them, I have no doubt.

Give our friends over at Fundraiser Blankets a look. Here’s a little bit about them: Fundraiser Blankets offer a unique and profitable fundraising opportunity for K-12 schools, sports teams and community groups. These $12.50, custom logo, full-color blankets are provided by a veteran teacher’s, women-owned small business and are printed in the USA.

Content
Free Content

You might be new to coaching a team or sport. You may be a grizzled coaching veteran. Either way, check out the content section of thecoachingdad.com. You’ll find resources that cover a large number of sports, including game refreshers, position breakdowns, injury management, practice ideas and more.

Engage
Email Us

Did you miss a previous newsletter? Do you have a topic you’d like us to cover? Looking for broader insights on a particular topic? Send us an email at [email protected]

Newsletter Sign Up
Those not already receiving The Huddle, click below. You can also access previously published newsletters from this link.