Why Poor Coaching Can Ruin a Child’s Love for Sport: A Baseball Session Gone WrongIn this episode, Kirk and Ben dissect a recent baseball session that highlights how ineffective coaching and lack of engagement can turn kids off from sport altogether. They explore the importance of making sports fun, inclusive, and inspiring for young participants.

Main Topics Covered:

• The impact of first impressions in sports coaching
• The dangers of overly technical, monotonous training
• How to create fun and engaging sessions that inspire children
• The significance of qualified, passionate coaches in youth sports
• Practical tips for planning sport sessions that foster joy and participation
• Comparing coaching standards across different sports and countries
• The importance of ongoing coach development and learning

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: How poor coaching can affect children’s love of sport

01:12 - The importance of first impressions and welcoming environment

02:18 - Kirk’s baseball experience: what went wrong at the baseball session

03:27 - Observations on coaching professionalism and standards in youth sports

04:54 - The impact of monotony and technique-only focus on kids’ enjoyment

06:10 - The importance of fun, game-based learning in youth coaching

07:35 - How to plan engaging, inclusive training sessions

09:00 - Recognizing and filling coaching skill gaps

10:45 - Comparing coaching standards in different sports and regions

12:01 - Why qualified, passionate coaches make all the difference

14:20 - The role of coaching mindset in creating lasting joy in sports

17:22 - How to adapt sessions for different age groups and skill levels

20:29 - The dangers of unqualified coaches and how to identify good coaching

22:48 - Reflection on Kirk’s baseball session: lessons learned

24:02 - The importance of fun first and skill second in youth sports

26:52 - The value of proper coach qualification and standards

32:45 - Creating joy through diversity in activities and sports

36:22 - How to collaborate with assistant coaches for more engaging sessions

40:23 - Tailoring activities to kids’ interests to boost participation

43:21 - Challenge: Encourage trying new sports and activities to foster a lifelong love of sport

Resources & Links:

• Coach Ball Game Instagram

Find out more about Mini Athletics: www.miniathletics.com

Remember, great coaching inspires kids to love sport, not just teach them techniques. Let’s keep fostering environments where children can enjoy active play and develop a lifelong passion for sport!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Sports Parenting Playbook @miniathleticsben and @kirkbowyer discuss CONFIDENCE in kids sport. Specifically, if you can promote confidence in kids through good coaching, can you kill confidence in kids through bad coaching and what techniques can be used when coaching to make sure that children are happy and confidence is growing.

We all know that kids have to have confidence to take part in sports but equally some kids are forced to take part in sports when they may not be confident. What lasting damage does this have on their love of sport?

Take a listen to this episode and share with like minded people to get the message out there. Interested in Mini Athletics visit www.miniathletics.com

If you are passionate about coaching kids and think that owning a mini athletics business could be for you visit

www.miniathleticsfranchising.co.uk in the UK & www.miniathleticsfranchising.com in the USA

Whilst you are here please leave us a review!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Greenwood: Growing up, Rugby and The Festival Of Sport

Another episode of The Sports Parenting Playbook is presented by Mini Athletics duo Kirk Bowyer and Ben Russell and they are joined by Rugby World Cup winner and The Festival of Sport creator Will Greenwood.

In this episode Kirk and Ben dig deep into the upbringing of Will Greenwood and his journey into the world of sport. As a youth Will loved Athletics, a little known fact is his success as a triple jumper and cricket player before excelling at Rugby. He was once told that he wasn't cut out for the game and should try something different!

As a parent or coach we want the best for our kids and hope that they grow up being active and healthy. Sport has such a big part to play in that development. Discussions like the ones had in this episode and past episodes of the podcast are here to help you understand the best ways to navigate through the journey of bringing children up to be a lover sport and physical activity.

If you are enjoying the episodes of this podcast then hit the SUBSCRIBE button on your chosen podcast player and get NOTIFIED of new episodes. Why not leave us a review? it helps to get the episodes out to more people like you.

Interested in Mini Athletics? visit www.miniathletics.com and follow us on Instagram @miniathletics

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.