Calls to Action for Youth Sports
Insights
Getting Best Practices to Coaches
Actions that prioritize coaching frameworks that support kids’ well-being, improve coaches’ access to resources, advance the body of research, and translate academic evidence into real-world coaching practices.
Build Shared Understanding
Area of Focus
To make youth sport better for kids, we need to get clear on what great coaching looks like and give coaches the tools and support to bring it to life. That requires a common language, practical resources, and easier access to training for coaches. It also means making sure coaches at every level know what’s expected of them and how best to get there.
Call to Action
Prioritize Coaching Frameworks That Focus on Health, Safety, and Overall Well-Being
Signature Issue
Turn Coaching Frameworks into Real-World Tools
Call to Action
Make Coaching Resources Easier to Find and Use
Strengthen Research Impact
Area of Focus
When research is relevant, reliable, and easy to put into action, it helps shape more innovative policies, stronger training requirements, and better outcomes. It gives coaches, organizations, and communities the tools they need to support kids in ways that change the game.
Call to Action
Support Innovative and Rigorous Coaching Research
Call to Action
Build a Clear Picture of Coaching Through Research & Data
Call to Action
Connect Research to Real-World Programs
Ensure Quality Learning
Area of Focus
Quality Learning focuses on supporting coaches through accessible, effective, and ongoing educational opportunities, so they’re better prepared to create positive sport experiences that promote youth development. These calls to action emphasize technology, sharing what works, and expanding training options that meet coaches where they are.
Call to Action
Set Clear Guidance for Best Practices
Call to Action
Leverage Technology & Data to Make Training More Accessible
Call to Action
Create Recommendations for Continued Coach Education
Insights: Our Vision for the Future
We see a world where every kid shows up feeling like they belong, whether it’s on the court, the pitch, the field, the slopes or a patch at the local park.
These kids will jump, kick, shoot, throw, block, run and slide their way through life. They aren’t afraid to try new things. And they cheer on their teammates with freedom, creativity and seemingly impossible volume. They are learning skills that will help them be successful later in life.
One reason this works? Their coach has the knowledge, tools and confidence to bring out the best in them. Not just as athletes, but as people.
In this vision, it’s easy for coaches to support positive youth development because they have simple, practical methods to help kids grow on the field and off.
We see this as a chance for coaches, parents, schools, and communities to work together to build a youth sport culture intentionally designed for kids.
Here’s how we make it happen:
- Create a shared vision of what great coaching looks like and how to get there.
- Invest in quality research that is rigorous, innovative and inclusive.
- Reach coaches where they are with affordable, accessible, ongoing training.
Here’s what we get when we get it right:
- Positive sport experiences for kids, no matter where they play.
- More kids staying active for life, as kids, as teens and throughout adulthood.
- A strong network of well-trained, motivated coaches.
- Easy access to training for coaches and ways to provide the resources they need.
- Training strategies that evolve and grow with the needs of kids and coaches
- Healthier, more confident kids, supported in every part of their development
Every drill, every conversation, every high five adds up to something bigger.
Jump to: Narrative | Org Practice | Policy
Thank You to Our Insights Working Group
Chair(s): Samantha Bates, Ph.D. LISW-S, and Kylee Ault-Baker, Ph.D., OSU LiFEsports
Members: Katlin Okamoto, Ph.D., U.S. Soccer Foundation; Jack Li, Ph.D., Univ. of Washington; Allie Riley, Ph.D., Girls on the Run; Jillian Loughran, Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport; Jordan Kelly, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee; Kevin Fountain, Little League
Contributors: Anna Swisher, USA Wrestling; Jennifer Peterson & Julie McLeary, Ph.D., Univ. of Washington; Sam Ranck, Little League; Suz Sillet, Positive Coaching Alliance