The Huddle - Edition 71

Introduction
Should Kids Play One Sport Year Round?

We get it. Your child finds a sport they love, they improve quickly, and all of a sudden, there’s a temptation to ride that wave all year long—club teams, private lessons, offseason leagues. It can feel like more equals better. But here’s the thing: that mindset, while common, may not be what’s actually best for the long-term development of young athletes.

In this week’s issue of The Huddle, we’re diving into the importance of taking breaks, playing multiple sports, and giving both the body and mind a breather—without losing momentum. Whether you're a coach or a parent, understanding the why behind rest and variety is crucial to supporting your athlete's full journey.

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Lets go!

Insight of the week
Rest Isn’t Laziness; It’s Part of the Plan

One of the most valuable things a coach can do for a young athlete is protect them from burnout. While year-round sports participation might seem like a fast track to mastery, research—and lived experience—tell a different story. In fact, studies show that early specialization (focusing on one sport before the age of 12) can actually increase the risk of overuse injuries and decrease long-term motivation.

Great coaches recognize that skill development doesn’t only happen on the court or field—it also happens during rest and through the transfer of skills across multiple sports. Think of a soccer player’s footwork helping their basketball agility. Or a baseball player’s hand-eye coordination benefitting their golf swing. Cross-training builds better, more balanced athletes.

Time away also helps kids miss the sport—in a good way. It reignites their love for the game and prevents the grind from feeling like a job. As a coach, encouraging time off or even suggesting other sports builds trust with players and parents. It shows you’re invested in the kid, not just the season.

Drill of the week
Settling High-Bouncers (soccer)

Goal:
To help players confidently read, track, and control high-bouncing balls that could otherwise result in poor touches, missed plays, or defensive breakdowns.

Setup:

• Mark a 10x10 yard grid with cones.

• Use size-appropriate soccer balls.

• One player (or coach) acts as the server, gently tossing or chipping the ball into the air.

• One player receives and settles. Rotate players every 5 reps.

Steps:

1. The server tosses or chips a ball high into the air toward the receiving player.

2. The player tracks the flight of the ball and positions their body to receive it.

3. The player practices using their chest, thigh, or foot to settle the ball and control it within the grid.

4. Once settled, they pass the ball back to the server and reset.

Coaching Points:

• Encourage athletes to call out when it’s theirs.

• Remind players to stay calm, keep their eyes on the ball, and not panic when it’s bouncing high.

• Reinforce using soft touches, not hard kicks, to bring the ball under control.

This drill is about confidence. Players who learn how to handle tricky balls will be less likely to freeze during game moments when that awkward bounce comes their way.

Coaching tip of the week
Normalize Time Off - From Both Sides

Here are a few practical ways coaches and parents can support a healthier year-round rhythm for young athletes:

1. Schedule an “Off Season” on Purpose
Don’t just hope the athlete takes a break—build it in. Let parents know when your team will not be meeting or training. Offer suggestions for other sports or even “free play” time.

2. Encourage Multi-Sport Participation
Actively promote other sports instead of treating them like a threat. Let players (and their parents) know that the long-term goal is athletic growth, not short-term perfection in one sport.

3. Parents: Be the Guardrails
Even if your child wants to keep playing all year, it's okay to say no. They don’t always know when they’re tired. You do. Enforce time off the same way you’d enforce bedtime—because rest is part of development too.

4. Coaches: Celebrate Non-Sport Wins
When players return from a different sport or a break, ask about what they learned or enjoyed. This sends a powerful signal that they’re more than just your team’s utility player—they’re a well-rounded athlete.

Blog highlight
Is Playing a Sport Year-Round the Right Move?

As a youth coach or parent, you’ve seen the trend: clubs, tournaments, travel teams, and a non‑stop calendar of practices, games, and seasons that spill into one another. At first glance it might feel like “the more they play, the better they get.” But when you dig deeper, playing one sport year‑round often comes with hidden costs—for the athlete's body, their mind, and their long‑term love of the game. This post gives both coaches and parents practical perspective and actionable tips: coaches, you need to be comfortable giving kids time away. Parents, you need to be comfortable enforcing that rest—even when your athlete says they don’t want it.

The Volunteer Coach Academy
This Course Is Built For You!

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
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