The Huddle - Edition 84

Intro
Youth Sports Is Getting Expensive!

Let’s talk money. Not in a luxury lifestyle kind of way — in the “how do we make youth sports accessible for every kid” kind of way. Because right now, a growing number of families are finding themselves stretched thin just trying to keep their kids on the field, court, or ice.

From a recent New York Life study, here are some numbers worth knowing:

• Over three-quarters of parents (76%) have taken action to manage the costs of youth sports — with 38% cutting back spending elsewhere, 29% joining fundraising efforts, and 21% volunteering to offset fees.

• One in four parents (25%) say they’ve had to dip into their savings or emergency fund just to keep their child involved.

• Families with tighter incomes are making even steeper sacrifices — often working extra hours or taking side jobs just to cover participation costs.

• Across income levels, 66% of parents say they wish they had better financial tools to understand and budget for sports costs.

• And despite all this? Only 22% of parents are currently working with a financial expert to navigate these expenses.

These are real pressures, and they’re reshaping how youth sports look and feel. But as coaches, leaders, and parents — we can be part of the solution. This week’s newsletter explores how.

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.

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Lets go!

Insight of the week
Coaches/Parents You’re Not Alone: A Financial Resource that Speaks Your Language

As a coach, you’re often the bridge between the program and the parents. And while your clipboard may not include financial planning advice — you can point families in the right direction.

The World Changers Network is one of the best resources out there for sports parents who feel overwhelmed by costs and unsure where to start. Here’s what makes them worth sharing:

1. Simple, Clear Financial Education
   They break down real-world money situations — like how to save for travel tournaments or juggle gear costs across multiple sports — in plain language. No fluff, just practical tools.

2. Direct Access to Financial Experts
   Unlike endless YouTube videos or impersonal budgeting apps, World Changers connects families to actual people who can answer questions and look at their unique situation.

3. A Personalized Game Plan
   Their mission is to help families stop guessing and start building a strategy that actually fits their budget, lifestyle, and sports goals.

Drill of the week
Soccer Switch Field

Skill Focus: Field awareness, offensive spacing, decision-making under pressure

Setup:
Use a half-field setup, or the attacking third. Place two defenders on the wings near midfield (left and right back), one central defender, a goalkeeper, and 4–5 offensive players spread across the forward zone.

How to Run It:

1. Begin with the ball in the offensive zone on one wing.

2. The player must recognize congestion and pass backward to a central defender.

3. The central defender scans, then switches the field with a pass to the opposite wing defender.

4. The receiving wing defender pushes up the sideline and delivers a pass into the new attacking side — ideally to a forward or midfielder who has shifted with the play.

5. Add in light pressure from defenders to simulate game decision speed.

Coaching Tips:

• Teach players to read space — not just pressure. Pulling the ball back and switching isn’t a retreat; it’s a reset.

• Wing defenders must pre-load movement — they can’t wait for the pass before starting their run.

• Encourage offensive players on the weak side to stretch wide and create lanes.

• Emphasize communication: defenders and midfielders should be vocal in calling for the switch.

Coaching tip of the week
Getting Creative to Make Sports More Affordable

One of the most powerful roles a coach can play is to be an advocate — not just for your players, but for the families who make sacrifices so their kids can show up. While you may not control program fees or tournament schedules, you do have influence on how accessible your team culture and structure are.

Here are some practical ways to start:

• Create a Team Equipment Exchange: Organize a once-per-season event where families can drop off gently used gear (cleats, gloves, sticks, pads, etc.) and pick up what they need — no questions asked. Consider involving older players to “sponsor” younger athletes with hand-me-downs.

• Teamwide Garage Sale Fundraiser: Rather than asking families to sell candy or candles to their neighbors, bring the whole team together for a community yard sale. Proceeds can go directly toward scholarships, travel expenses, or tournament fees.

• Offer Volunteer-for-Credit Systems: Work with your league or club leadership to allow families to reduce costs by volunteering — coaching, field maintenance, snack duty, or even helping with social media or team management.

• Build Community Sponsorship Packages: Most small businesses want to support youth sports — they just need a clear ask. Build out a simple sponsorship tier (e.g., $100 = logo on shirts, $250 = banner at games, $500 = shout-outs on social) and put it in front of a few local shops.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t to solve the funding gap overnight — it’s to create a culture where cost never becomes a barrier to play.

Blog Highlight
How Coaches & Parents Can Understand Finances (And Protect Your Family’s Future)

Youth sports can be incredibly rewarding — building confidence, physical health, teamwork skills, and lifelong memories. But let’s be honest: they can also be incredibly expensive. Many families find themselves scrambling to pay for fees, equipment, travel, camps, and training, and all too often, those costs snowball into real financial strain. What can coaches and parents do to keep youth athletics joyful, sustainable, and healthy — without derailing your long-term financial needs?

Today we’re breaking down current spending realities, smart planning strategies, and how tools like The World Changers Network can help families balance their love for youth sports with smart financial decision‑making.

The Volunteer Coach Academy
My Complete Coaching Approach

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
For Coaches, Parents and Youth Athletes

The Constant Coach

Get this for the coach in your life as it provides coaching guidance and insights one day at a time throughout the entire year.

Stories For Young Athletes

Do you have an Young athlete who’s afraid of getting hit by a pitch or who maybe isn’t quite as aggressive on the soccer field as they could be? This book helps kids with a variety of circumstances, in a lot of different sports, through various stories that your child can relate to. It’s perfect for kids 7-11!

Featured Coaching Resources
Aggression and Anxiety Guides

I just released two new guides designed to make your coaching easier and your players more confident:

1. The Aggression Guide
Perfect for the child who plays great at home but hesitates in games. This guide gives you simple, practical strategies to help players be more assertive, engaged, and confident—without pressure or yelling.

2. Calm Under Pressure
A quick, powerful guide for helping young athletes manage anxiety, nerves, and fear of mistakes. You’ll learn what to look for, what to say, and how to support kids during tough moments.

Content
Other 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]

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