Lessons
More Signal, Less Noise: Coaching Focus in the Age of Distraction
The signal-to-noise ratio describes how much meaningful information (the signal) can be heard or understood amid all the distractions and interference (the noise). In youth sports, this analogy can be powerful. For young athletes, the ‘signal’ is made up of the core reasons they play—love of the game, mentorship, constructive feedback, skill development, camaraderie, and…
Read MoreWhy Are You Even Here: The Mindset That Shows Up When It Matters
This past weekend, I attended a major swim meet with one of our Forged by Sports athletes — the kind of meet that represents the significant training, early mornings, and commitment put in over the course of the year. Coaches plan for it. Volunteers run themselves ragged. Parents rearrange work schedules — all for a…
Read MoreHormones, Heartache, and Hustle: Navigating the Teenage Mind in Youth Sports
We often discuss nerves, pressure, and mental performance when youth athletes step onto the field. But what about the moments when it’s not the game stressing them out—but life itself? Teenage angst isn’t just a cliché or a punchline. It’s real. It’s messy. And it can derail even the most motivated and talented young athletes.…
Read MoreEmbracing the Struggle: The Transformative Power of Trying New Sports
Summer swim season is in full swing, and there’s a remarkable sight that never fails to inspire. Kids, some who could barely make it across the pool at the beginning of the season, are now pushing themselves to new limits. Their strokes might still be labored, and some might even get disqualified, but their progress…
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