- The Huddle
- Posts
- The Huddle - Edition 86
The Huddle - Edition 86
A weekly newsletter from The Coaching Dad.
The Coaching Dad
February 19, 2026
Intro
Big Feelings Hit Fast
Frustration is one of the most common emotions you’ll see in youth sports—because kids care, the game moves quickly, and their brains are still learning how to hit the “reset button” under pressure. A bad hop, a missed swing, a teammate mistake, a close call… and suddenly the mood flips. The goal isn’t to eliminate frustration (good luck). The goal is to teach kids how to recover from it—quickly, safely, and in a way that keeps them engaged and confident.
A few research anchors to frame why this matters: nearly 1 in 5 U.S. children ages 3–17 have ever been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, and irritability/frustration can be a common reason families seek support. In sport settings, frustration also shows up physically (tight shoulders, rushed movement, shallow breathing), which can make the next play harder. The takeaway: treating emotional regulation like a coachable skill isn’t “extra”—it’s part of helping kids compete and enjoy the game.
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
Coach the Reset Like a Skill
The biggest mistake coaches make with frustrated players is waiting until the blow-up and then trying to “talk them out of it.” When a kid is heated, they’re not in learning mode. The better approach is to create a simple, repeatable reset routine and practice it the same way you practice throwing mechanics or base running. Consistency is what builds trust—and calm.
Start by separating the emotion from the behavior. A quick, steady line like, “It makes sense you’re frustrated—you care,” lowers the temperature without rewarding the reaction. Then you immediately pivot to what control looks like: “We can be frustrated and still stay in control.” That’s the standard, and kids respond well when the standard is clear and fair.
Next, give your team a one-sentence cue they can lean on when things go sideways: “Next pitch,” “Flush it,” “Reset and ready.” Keep it short on purpose. The cue is the trigger for the routine, not a motivational speech.
Then coach the body first: one slow inhale, longer exhale; shoulders down; hands unclench; eyes on one simple target for two seconds. This interrupts the spiral and gives them something concrete to do instead of spiraling into self-talk or blame. And whenever possible, correct privately—not publicly. Public correction often turns frustration into embarrassment, and embarrassment is usually the fast lane to escalation.
Finally, get good at spotting the early warning signs: slumped posture, rushed throws, snapping at teammates, “I can’t,” “This is stupid,” equipment tosses, quitting on reps. If you intervene early with a calm cue or a quick breather, you prevent the “full eruption” and keep the athlete in the game—mentally and emotionally.
Drill of the week
Bunt and Charge
Sport: Baseball / Softball
This one is a staple because it teaches quick reactions, clean fielding on the run, and making the “easy out” under pressure — which is exactly what bunts try to mess up.
Set up: Put players at 3B, P, 1B, and a catcher if you have one (optional but helpful for communication). Coach stands at home plate with a bucket of balls. 1B starts on the bag. Everyone else starts in normal ready position. If you don’t have a catcher, the coach can call “BUNT!”
How it works (walk-through speed first, then build pace):
Coach calls “BUNT!” and rolls (or soft-tosses) a bunt in fair territory. If you want to actually use a batter to bunt the ball, that works best. The fielder closest to the ball charges, fields it under control, and makes the throw to 1B for the out. After each rep, players hustle back to their spot and the coach fires the next bunt quickly to keep it game-like. Mix where you place the bunt: down the 3B line, straight to the pitcher, and down the 1B line.
Coaching points that make the drill actually work:
First two steps win: The moment they hear “BUNT,” their feet move. No hop-step, no watching.
Get there fast, field it slow: Sprint to the ball, then break down with short steps so they don’t stab at it.
Two hands on the pickup: Glove gets it, throwing hand secures it — especially important on bad hops.
Throw to the chest: Don’t rush a wild throw. A clean, accurate throw beats a fast one.
1B is loud and steady: Teach 1B to give a clear target and talk (“Here! Here!”). It calms the whole play down.
Progressions (to keep it fun and prevent drill fatigue):
Add a runner: Put a runner at home and have them sprint on contact so it feels real (rotate runners).
Call the play late: Coach waits an extra half-second before yelling “BUNT” so fielders must read and react instead of guessing.
Timed challenge: How many clean bunt outs can you get in 60 seconds with no bobbles and accurate throws?
Two-ball chaos (advanced): Coach rolls a second ball immediately after the first to force quick reset and communication (great for older / experienced teams).
Tip of the week
Parents Build Calm Outside of the Game
Parents have a huge advantage: you can work on frustration skills when the environment isn’t loud, competitive, and emotionally charged. Think of it like this—games reveal the problem, but home is where you train the solution. The goal is to help your kid recognize frustration sooner, recover faster, and keep their confidence intact even when they struggle.
One of the best strategies is doing “frustration reps” in low-stakes settings. Pick small challenges that create mild struggle: a tricky puzzle, a dribbling pattern, bounce-catch with the non-dominant hand, hitting a smaller target off a tee, juggling, jump rope—anything that’s tough but doable. When you see frustration rise, don’t rescue them immediately. Instead, you coach the reset: one breath, one cue, one more try. They’re learning that discomfort doesn’t mean danger, and struggle doesn’t mean failure.
Teach a quick 10-second routine they can use anywhere: inhale, longer exhale, say the cue (“Next play”), do one physical action (adjust the helmet, tap the bat, tug the glove), and focus eyes on one target for two seconds. The physical action matters because it gives them something that feels like a “switch” they can flip.
One more big one: avoid the post-game autopsy in the car—especially with frustration-prone kids. The car ride can be peak emotion. Keep it simple: “I love watching you play,” and let the nervous system come down. Later, when they’re calm, ask one helpful question: “What was one moment you got frustrated—and what reset could you use next time?” You’re coaching reflection, not replaying pain.
And praise recovery more than results. Hits and wins are great, but if that’s the only praise they hear, mistakes feel like identity-level failure. Notice things like: “You reset fast,” “You stayed a good teammate,” “You tried again even after that tough inning.” That’s the stuff that actually changes behavior.
Blog Highlight
Coaching Kids Who Get Easily Frustrated
Every coach knows this kid.
They miss a shot and their shoulders drop like somebody unplugged them. They boot a soccer ball and immediately start talking to themselves like they’re their own worst enemy. They strike out, throw the bat down, and you can almost feel the rest of the inning slipping away because now they’re not just playing the game—they’re fighting their emotions inside the game.
If you’ve got a player who gets easily frustrated, you’re not dealing with a “bad kid” or a “problem attitude.” Most of the time, you’re dealing with a young athlete whose feelings are bigger than their tools. They care. They want to do well. They hate messing up. And they haven’t learned how to recover quickly when things don’t go their way.
So let’s talk about what actually helps, in real coaching terms. Not “just toughen up.” Not “calm down.” But concrete, repeatable coaching strategies that help athletes regulate, reset, and compete with confidence.
Gear up
Start Looking the Part!
Every week I release new products in my Etsy store. My goal is to bring a little style back into the youth sports game. You’ll find things for coaches, parents and kids.
The Volunteer Coach Academy
Stop Guessing and Really Help Your Team Improve
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]
