KidFirst Sports

"My two sons play at MLS academies"

I know how I'd feel if I could say that about my kids.

That annoying shoulder devil telling me how great I am for producing children with so much talent. Then I find myself getting into a shouting match with a teenager on an opposing team and wonder if may that shoulder devil is telling porkies.

Join Dan Lear and I ask we deconstruct why we parents do what we do with our kids' sports experiences.

"Please don't tell my parents"

Robin Bousquet, founder and owner of Inspire Physical Therapy in Nike's hometown (Beaverton, OR), has heard this request from far too many youth athletes.

Her answer every single time?

"Absolutely not. We're talking with your parents because you need a team of grown ups working together to get you healthy."

Join us for the whole episode to be inspired by a health care provider whose life is dedicated to building kids back up physically and mentally.

Inspireptforkids.com

SHOW NOTES

We delve into managing setbacks and injuries in youth sports, with Robin sharing her experiences from her career, including her time at Children's Hospital in Oakland and her practice's philosophy. The discussion highlights the importance of balancing physical and mental recovery, aligning goals between children and parents, and fostering an empowering and inspiring environment. Robin also reflects on her personal sports experiences and offers invaluable advice to parents and coaches on supporting young athletes.

TOOLS FOR PARENTS!!

The final in a series of five episodes to guide high school athletes looking to play in college.

Elliot Leonard from RecruitFluency lays it all out. For Free.

Industry insights about:

SENIOR YEAR!

The fourth in a series of five episodes to guide high school athletes looking to play in college.

Elliot Leonard from RecruitFluency lays it all out. For Free.

JUNIOR YEAR!!

The third in a series of five episodes - and THE MOST IMPORTANT YEAR for high school athletes looking to play in college.

Elliot Leonard from RecruitFluency lays it all out. For Free.

SOPHOMORE YEAR!

The second in a series of five episodes to help parents and kids understand how to get recruited to play in college. Elliot Leonard from RecruitFluency lays it all out. For free.

Consistent with video and coach outreach

FRESHMAN YEAR!

The first in a series of five episodes to help parents and kids understand how to get recruited to play in college. Elliot Leonard from RecruitFluency lays it all out. For free.

Do you believe in your players?

Chris Watkins, long time Division I women's head coach, wants every youth sports coach in the country to really believe in the kids they coach.

Not the best player? Believe in them.

Not the fastest? Believe in them.

Not the best shooter? Believe in them.

30 years of top level coaching has taught Chris some tough lessons. Are you ready to learn?

SHOW NOTES

Special guest, Coach Chris Watkins, shares his journey transitioning from Gonzaga to Boston College and discusses his coaching philosophy centered around treating players as he would want his own son to be treated. He provides deep insights into the difficulties of making team cuts, the importance of perseverance, and building confidence in young athletes.

Chris emphasizes the significance of doing hard things and acquiring life skills through sports. Stories of influential coaches and lessons learned through personal experiences highlight the timeless impact coaches can have on their players. The episode wraps up with the essential message of believing in your players and the lasting legacy of great coaching.

00:00 Welcome to the Kid First Sports Podcast

00:20 Mixed Feelings About Alumni Games

00:55 A Special Alumni Game Experience

01:31 Introducing Coach Chris Watkins

01:52 Chris Watkins' Move to Boston College

02:46 Challenges and Opportunities at Boston College

04:04 The Importance of Treating Players Well

04:41 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Coaching

05:58 Handling the Difficult Task of Cutting Players

07:09 Building a Positive Team Culture

10:42 Reflecting on BYU Soccer Tryouts

13:03 The Role of Confidence and Effort in Player Selection

15:30 Challenges in Youth Sports Coaching

19:19 Embracing Feedback and Continuous Improvement

20:07 Character and Performance in Business

20:56 The Rarity of a Growth Mindset

21:36 Coaching Philosophy and Culture Building

22:34 Lessons from Working with Jen Rockwood

23:08 Reflections on Coaching at BYU

24:41 Overcoming Failures and Learning from Defeats

28:20 The Impact of Belief and Mentorship

33:31 Heart Lessons for Youth Coaches

39:08 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Our kids spend 18,000 hours on their phone by age 16.

In episode 44 of the KidFirst Sports Podcast, host Coach Dave Vassilaros discusses the impact of technology on the performance and development of young athletes with guest Larissa Mills, founder of the Mental Game Academy.

They explore how excessive phone use can affect athletes' focus, self-belief, and resilience, drawing on Mills' experience in coaching and cognitive science.

The conversation covers practical advice for parents and coaches on fostering a healthier balance between technology use and real-world connections to improve athletes' mental health, confidence, and performance.

Putting Kids First in Youth Sports, Muhlenberg College Alumni Magazine

In this episode of the Kid First Sports Podcast, Coach Dave Vassilaros reconnects with an old college teammate, Brendan "Bones" McKeown, to discuss the importance of allowing kids to lead in sports. They delve into their experiences from Muhlenberg College, illustrating how early leadership roles and nicknames played a part in forging their identities and relationships.

The conversation explores McEwen's journey to Muhlenberg and his coaching philosophy at St. Benedict's Prep and Hoboken United, emphasizing creating a culture where kids lead, supported by the community and fostered through trust and autonomy. The discussion highlights the invaluable lessons learned through both winning and losing seasons, underscoring the impact of sports beyond the field.