My name is Jill, but everyone calls me Jake. No one ever called me Jake, however, until I joined the Amherst College Women's Soccer Team. As a timid freshman, I was eager to prove myself and determined to play the sport that I love.With an upperclassman named Jill already on the team, during preseason my … Continue reading An Open Letter to Student-Athletes: Now that Sports Have Stopped, Who Are You?
Author: bothandcoaching
10 Strategies for Student-Athletes during COVID-19: How to Grow through Adversity
Recent news that spring sports have been officially cancelled hurts. It stings. First and foremost, I want to send love to high school sport communities—to athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and parents/grandparents. Life is a team sport. Right now, I am feeling and stand with you in this sad, frustrating, and challenging time. This not easy—in particular … Continue reading 10 Strategies for Student-Athletes during COVID-19: How to Grow through Adversity
Coaching during COVID-19: A game plan for growing through adversity and uncertainty
Almost overnight, sport, school, and broader society have come to a screeching stop. The Coronavirus pandemic has brought about uncertainty and chaos like we’ve never experienced before. In the context of high school athletics, it’s put a halt on sport seasons and the school year. As a girls’ soccer coach who walked with an extra … Continue reading Coaching during COVID-19: A game plan for growing through adversity and uncertainty
Busting Myths about Mental Toughness: How to Develop Mental Strength in Youth Athletes
A common question that I get from coaches is: How can I make my athletes more mentally tough? For as big of a buzz word as mental toughness is though, the concept is a black box. In this post, I’ll open up that box and bust 4 harmful myths about mental toughness. Dispelling these myths … Continue reading Busting Myths about Mental Toughness: How to Develop Mental Strength in Youth Athletes
Coaching Biases Part III: Confirmation Biases in Coaching
Becoming aware of and working to change our biases requires mental yoga. We have to be aware of our thoughts, consider assumptions underlining these beliefs, and be brave—open to perspectives that might stretch our point of view (like when your yoga instructor “invites” you to do that flying pigeon pose). If you’re feeling the mental … Continue reading Coaching Biases Part III: Confirmation Biases in Coaching
Coaching Biases Part II: Similarity bias in our coaching practice & the profession
Welcome back to the both-and baggage check. This series of posts is meant to help coaches (and sport leaders) check the baggage we carry: bias. If you read part one and are coming back for more—fantastic! You’ve picked up what I’ve tried to put down. No matter your life stage, background, or identity, biases are … Continue reading Coaching Biases Part II: Similarity bias in our coaching practice & the profession
Coaching Biases Part I: We “B-E-S-T” Check Our Baggage
A few weeks ago I went to the Michigan Law School to watch a close friend, and college soccer teammate, graduate. I was smiling so hard during the ceremony that my cheekbones hurt by the end. Our former goalkeeper, the wall of our backline, and anchor of our defense had now conquered law school. That … Continue reading Coaching Biases Part I: We “B-E-S-T” Check Our Baggage
Mental Skills Training for Young Athletes: Butterflies and Spaghetti Toes
Mental skills training has gained increased traction in sports as a way to give athletes a competitive edge. While the importance of an athlete’s “mental game” is more commonly talked about in our pre- or post-game conversations, we — sport coaches, athletes, parents, and fans — often define “the mental game” in vague, abstract terms. … Continue reading Mental Skills Training for Young Athletes: Butterflies and Spaghetti Toes
What I Learned From Coaching Boys
This past fall I coached high school boys’ soccer for the first time. Over the last 8 years, most of my coaching experience has been with adolescent girls. My first opportunity to coach was with a high school girls’ team, and at the time coaching girls seemed natural and obvious. I don’t remember actively thinking … Continue reading What I Learned From Coaching Boys
Outside the Lines: Navigating Broader Social Issues in Sport Coaching
The Gist: Athletics, including youth sport, is becoming increasingly diverse. While social issues may seem less relevant to youth sport coaching, navigating these matters is critical for coaches to support athletes as players and people. As coaches, we need to critically consider who we are, the identities/histories of our athletes, and features of our sport … Continue reading Outside the Lines: Navigating Broader Social Issues in Sport Coaching
BOTH-AND Coaching 