In Episode 166 of How Soccer Explains Leadership, hosts Phil Darke and Paul Jobson discuss the intersection of youth soccer, leadership, priorities, and family values. Through personal and professional experience, they address the importance of aligning family priorities with athletic commitments. They emphasize the benefits of learning from losses, balancing sports and family life, and enabling kids to navigate conversations with coaches. The episode also explores the use of video cameras at young ages, impact of extensive travel for youth tournaments, and the pressures on young athletes. Specifically, they discuss:

03:40 Priorities in Youth Sports

07:03 Core family values and their role in commitment decisions

10:11 The role of sports in personal development

14:24 Balancing family and sports commitments

28:02 The importance of losing and learning

29:55 Facing adversity in sports and life

31:01 The importance of team camaraderie

32:42 Is extensive travel in youth sport necessary and advisable?

33:48 Balancing individual and team goals

34:57 Parental involvement and athlete development

39:10 The impact of over-scheduling on youth athletes

49:29 Encouraging self-advocacy in young athletes and relationship nurturing with your young athletes

Resources and Links from this Episode

·                 Uncut Video of the Episode

·                 HSEL Facebook Group

·                 Warrior Way Soccer

·                 Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·                 Phil’s email for DISC Training