In recent years, a pressing question has emerged in the world of youth sports: Are today's young athletes becoming emotionally softer, or are coaches becoming more demanding? Or, can we all agree to just blame the parents? (Joking… sort of) The reality likely lies somewhere in between, highlighting a crucial…
We don’t control the actions of others. But only through discovering the “why” behind student actions, can we help them chart a path forward, teaching them the importance of personal accountability grounded in compassion.
An overview of an article which originally appeared in the SHAPE PA Journal, 2025: https://issuu.com/shapepainnovation/docs/shape_pa_spring_2025_journal Educators are rightfully concerned about student wellbeing. The rhythm of a school year affects mood, stress, motivation, and performance. Teachers notice these shifts in passing conversations. Coaches see them in practice. Counselors hear them during…
– Brittany Romano and Jim Davis Some seasons are just… different. For New Trier Field Hockey, the 2025 season fits in that category. It began with ambition, grew through adversity, and ended with a finish that will be retold in the history of New Trier Field Hockey. Momentum from the…
Because I learned something most athletes never fully grasp: it’s not about how much you play; it’s about how much you impact the team - regardless of court time. Everyone contributes.
For driven people, the instinct to do more is understandable. Achievement brings validation, security, and a sense of identity. We all want to feel like we matter. In competitive environments, success often feels like the byproduct of volume – more effort, more output, more wins. The early stages of a…
History is riddled with talented players and teams who underachieve. Stories of championship teams also include moments wherein supreme talent glosses over character issues... the unfortunate part of these stories happens after the banner has been hung. Athletes who, never having built resilience, integrity, empathy, self-awareness, or emotional mastery find…
The ABC model in behavioral psychology outlines the relationship between antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. It serves as a diagnostic tool in various settings, but understanding behavior requires considering broader antecedents, including physiological and cultural factors. Integrating contemporary frameworks like HOP and CARE enhances this model, promoting sustainable behavior change through…
Youth athletes often face the combined demands of school and club sport participation with limited (if any) recovery between competitive seasons. Continuous training without adequate rest can contribute to overuse injuries, psychological burnout, and diminished performance – rather than progressive development they were aiming for (Brenner, 2007). Addressing overuse effectively…
When gyms shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic, student-athletes faced an abrupt loss of structure, community, and routine. To understand how to best support them, we sent out a survey asking, “How can we support you specifically until we are back in the gym together?” The responses, stripped of “none” and…