Think NIL is just for college athletes? Think again.

In this episode of the DYA Network Podcast, we talk with Kristi Dosh, author of The Athlete's NIL Playbook, about the rise of NIL deals for middle school, high school — and even 8-year-old athletes.

You'll learn:

• How athletes without big social media followings are still making money

• What parents need to ask before their athlete signs any deal

• How NIL rules differ by state and age

• Why NIL is more opportunity than obstacle — when you know how to approach it

If you're a parent, coach, or mentor of a young athlete, this is one conversation you don't want to miss.

📘 Find Kristi's book: The Athlete's NIL Playbook

🔗 Subscribe to the DYA Network Podcast for more episodes that educate and empower the youth athlete community.

We're bringing back one of our most valuable episodes from the archives — and for good reason. In this throwback, Dr. Tamara Huff, orthopedic surgeon and passionate advocate for youth health, breaks down why bone health in young athletes is often overlooked but absolutely essential.

From her early days as a soccer player to performing joint replacements and educating the next generation, Dr. Huff shares personal stories, expert insights, and actionable tips for parents, coaches, and athletes. Learn how bones develop, what habits actually build strong bones, and why the teenage years are the most important time to create a lifelong foundation for strength and injury prevention.

If you care about long-term athlete development — don't skip this one.

🎙️ In this episode, we break down why your young athletes must train below the knee. The foot and ankle are the foundation of movement — skip this and you're risking injury and missed potential.

We cover:

• Why basic foot and ankle strength is non-negotiable

• The hidden performance benefits of lower leg training

• How strong feet improve sprinting, change of direction, and injury prevention

• What drills actually work (and which ones don't)

If you're coaching youth athletes and ignoring the feet, you're missing a huge piece of the puzzle. Let's fix that.

Want to know if your child is on track to reach their full athletic potential? There's a simple way to find out—right at home! 🏠💪 In this podcast, I'm breaking down key athletic tests you can do with your child right now to measure speed, power, and strength—without fancy equipment.

These tests will help you:

✅ Identify strengths & weaknesses

✅ Track progress over time

✅ Improve explosiveness, speed, and coordination

We'll cover:

⚡ Broad Jump – Measure explosive power

⚡ Speed Test – Find out how fast they really are

⚡ Push-Ups – Build upper body strength

⚡ Single-Leg Balance – Assess coordination & control

⚡ Bonus: Chin-Ups – The underrated test for total body strength

💥 Ready to test your child's athleticism? Try these drills and let us know their results in the comments!

📌 Resources & Step-by-Step Guides:

⚡Broad Jump Test Tutorial-https://youtu.be/T2pfyXfDja4?si=SyxRKGOKYXtVZfzt

⚡Push-Up Test Tutorial- https://youtu.be/GQCV6qqxv0Y?si=RwrczIp0lnEoWJsN

⚡Chin-Up Test Tutorial-https://youtu.be/HyRtfI0ktoc?si=lp2r9st83PC6n7Pj

⚡When's the BEST Time to Do Speed Drills? Here's What Coaches Get Wrong (and How to Fix It): https://youtu.be/JBUkZeSJzpQ?si=vot2mbMUdf2ljj-3

📩 Want expert coaching? Contact us at: https://dyanetwork.com/dya-interest-form/

🚀 Join the 1% who actually test and train their kids properly!

📎 Free Downloadable Resource: Ready to take your athleticism to new heights? Access our complimentary guide featuring seven additional exercises to elevate your performance. Download now: https://dyanetwork.com/#:~:text=ELEVA...

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and share if this helped!

See the entire vidoe episode on our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/yafD9b9wyqo?si=CIsStO_fxHu_xOj4

Speed training for young athletes is often done at the wrong time, preventing them from getting faster, more explosive, and improving sprint speed. In this episode, we break down the biggest mistake coaches make when training speed, when to schedule speed drills for maximum results, and why fatigue is the #1 killer of speed development!

In This Episode, You'll Learn: ✅ The best time to train speed for young athletes ⏳ ✅ Why doing speed drills at the end of practice is a mistake 🚫 ✅ How sprint mechanics and power development are affected by fatigue ✅ The biggest coaching mistake in youth speed training ✅ How often should kids do speed training?

💡 Want a plan to help your young athlete get faster? Download our free Guide: 7 Exercises to improve Athleticism Click Here:

👉 Dynamic Warm-Up Video: Click Here

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE with other parents and coaches!

In this episode of the Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast, Coach Edwards breaks down 5 critical warning signs that your young athlete might be struggling—and how to turn things around. These aren't just tips; they're actionable strategies designed for parents and coaches to help young athletes thrive.

Topics Covered:

• Identifying poor movement patterns and why they matter.
• The surprising connection between energy crashes and performance.
• Why speed is a skill—and how consistent training can make all the difference.
• Spotting inefficiencies in movement and preventing injuries.
• How confidence grows through competence—and what that means for your athlete.

Ready to take action? Download our FREE guide: 7 Exercises to Improve Athleticism in Young Athletes. https://dyanetwork.com/#:~:text=ELEVA...

Key Resources for Your Athlete's Success:

💪 Teaching the Hip Hinge – https://youtu.be/3dj2CddHi-4?si=5f4P6cjz3kulKdx7

⚡ Dynamic Warm-Up for Speed Development – https://youtu.be/845SQAAn2Rw?si=xFK3ofMHlBIu5jnJ

🏃 2 Best Drills for Running Faster – https://youtu.be/Rc0ym0NKpwU?si=eEbs3bC4G20GutCT

🏋️ Squat Screening for Young Athletes – https://youtu.be/T9NNa97dtSI?si=uUsR4ngpk_uTkpOg

🛠️ Developing Athletic Stance – https://youtu.be/7Bx9BXLurfQ?si=MATqzsC6uczNu4-K

In this episode, Coach Edwards brings you a critical insight into youth athletic development that many coaches and parents miss. We revisit a game-changing approach to improving young athletes' performance across sports. Coach Edwards explains why foundational movement patterns—often skipped over—are essential for building speed, agility, and strength while reducing the risk of injury. If you're a coach or parent eager to help your young athlete excel, don't miss this powerful lesson on building a resilient, high-performing foundation for sports success!

In today's episode, we dive into the two best exercises to help young athletes strengthen their hamstrings—especially important for preventing ACL injuries in female athletes. We break down the Nordic Hamstring Curl and the Hamstring Curl Bridge, explaining how they improve the posterior chain, enhance speed, and prevent common sports injuries. Learn how to progress these movements and ensure proper technique. Whether you're a coach or parent, this episode is packed with actionable tips to boost your athlete's performance. Check out the video which further explains the exercises on our Youtube channel Developing Young Athletes Network

ACL injuries are a major concern in youth sports, with up to 80% being non-contact and affecting female athletes 5 times more than males. In this episode, we break down the importance of the Drop Jump Test in preventing injuries and enhancing athletic performance. Learn how improper landing mechanics, like knee valgus and trunk collapse, can lead to injuries and why screening for these issues is crucial for young athletes. Plus, get tips on how parents and coaches can perform this simple test at home to improve force absorption and reduce injury risks.

Join us as we explore practical exercises to help athletes land safely, improve core control, and maximize performance. Perfect for coaches, parents, and anyone passionate about long-term athlete development!

In this episode of the Developing Young Athletes Network Podcast, Coach Edwards dives into actionable strategies for parents looking to improve their child's speed and acceleration at home. Discover how to use simple techniques like maximum effort sprints and resistance runs to tap into your young athlete's fast-twitch muscle fibers. Learn about proper dynamic warm-ups, recovery times, and why short bursts of speed training can make a big impact on their performance. Whether your child is in baseball, football, or any other sport, this episode provides a step-by-step guide to boost their speed in just a few weeks. Plus, hear how resistance training using household items like sleds or tires can enhance acceleration without the need for complex drills or equipment. Tune in for expert insights on building a faster, stronger athlete!

Don't miss out on the latest research-backed tips and send in your child's progress! Reach out via DM with their sprint times or videos, and Coach Edwards will help you refine their training.

To Get our Simple Dynamic Warm-Up Exercises for young athlete beginners on our Youtube Channel at Developing Young Athletes Network.