Join me at the Spring Green Community Library for a book talk and signing.

I love to read and write. As a writer, I know how much words matter. But when I lost function of my voice for a few weeks, I realized I took the ability to communicate for granted.

The rise of club sports prompted me to question the direction youth sports were headed, but when my daughter tore her ACL, I felt an obligation to share what our family learned the hard way about this serious injury. Over the last 20 years injury prevention programs have been developed. But the number of injuries hasn’t come down, and it won’t come down until coaches implement these programs.

Do the children in your life have time to discover their desire? I recently read another article about the importance of free play and how little time kids have to explore their interests. Time away from structured activities allows kids to learn about themselves and what they enjoy. Revisit this important topic, originally published in February 2021, while I take a personal timeout.

One year ago tonight, my high school recognized the women who played on the first girls’ sports teams in the 1970s. Over one third of the 150 who played reunited to share stories and think about the contributions they made. As a reminder of how far we’ve come, enjoy the story I wrote to honor these women, while I take a personal timeout.

I first wrote about the Matheny Manifesto in May of 2021. Mike Matheny’s book came out in 2015. His messages continue to be relevant and timely. Enjoy one of my most-read blog posts while I take a personal timeout.

A timeout lets you catch your breath and reset, in a game and in life.

Several players have been absent from the Women’s World Cup because they are rehabilitating ACL tears. Across the world, people are asking why and what can we do? But the most important question is: When will we get serious about preventing this terrible injury?

Many millennials and Gen Zers are reevaluating their priorities so they can make meaningful connections with others and enjoy activities outside of their careers. I am hopeful those who become parents will also make careful choices for their children by allowing time for free play and exploration. Life is more enjoyable when we have several avenues to joy, and if we are lucky, we learn to live a contented life like my mother.

Another high school coach has lost his job. Perhaps for good reasons. Or perhaps because a group of parents are unhappy their children are not getting enough playing time, so they presented other reasons the school board should fire the coach. It’s hard to see your child unhappy on the bench, but how much playing time they get depends on several factors.

Watching the Ted Lasso series, I have so enjoyed how he has, without any great fanfare or hard-nosed tactics, created a team culture that allows his players to not only have fun playing the game they love, but feel like winners regardless of the final score. I’ve read several recaps of a recent episode, and not one of them mentions the line on replay in my mind…

I often wonder how high school sports will operate 20 years from now. Will club sports continue to rise in importance, eroding high school teams? Or will we reinvent offerings so more kids can participate? Prioritizing club sports poses a risk to team, school, and community pride. Playing for two teams at the same time causes issues for both teams, and surely must cause some internal conflict for the kid. What could youth sports look like in the future?

One is the college coach whose program has won more national championships than any other. You may be surprised to learn it’s not a men’s team. The other was a high school coach who loved to tell stories and always looked for life lessons. Both came to understand that coaching is about much more than the skills and the game.

Their coach described the race simply. It wasn’t about strategy. It was about speed. Whoever goes the fastest wins. But what does it take to be the fastest? The importance of teamwork is evident in every sport, but nowhere is it more crucial than in rowing. Every rower contributes unique talents and a coach’s job is to position each person in a way maximizes the team’s potential. Rowers understand their role and put in the work to fulfill their responsibility to the team. I’d hire a rower. We can all learn a few lessons from them…

Research has shown that injury prevention programs can reduce the rate of noncontact ACL injuries by 62%, but while coaches want or know they should incorporate injury prevention in their practices, only 20% do. Meanwhile, the number of injuries keeps growing…

Do you know the top 10 sports injuries kids suffer? Learn what they are and download tips for your child’s favorite sport. Parents can help keep their kids playing safe.

Having an athletic trainer on the sidelines is as important as having a lifeguard at the swimming pool

Starting kids too early in sports can lead to many unintended — and undesirable — consequences

Despite knowing the slim odds of getting an athletic scholarship, many parents believe they’ll get a return on their investment

If your child hopes to be recruited to play college sports, here are some tips on what they should be doing in high school — besides improving their game