The Secret Sauce of Motivation
Motivation is a funny thing. Some athletes seem to have an endless supply of it, showing up early, staying late, and grinding even when no one’s watching. Others? Well, let’s …
More Than Words
Coaching is communication. But what happens when words aren’t enough? For many neurodivergent athletes—whether they’re autistic, have ADHD, dyslexia, or other cognitive processing differences—traditional verbal instruction can feel like a …
The Engagement Equation
Finding the right balance between fun & focus in practice isn’t a guessing game—it’s an equation.
Too much fun? Chaos. Too much focus? Boredom. The best coaches adjust in real-time, keeping athletes engaged & improving.
Here’s how to master it.
The Art of Teaching vs. Telling
The Art of Teaching vs. Telling: Why Youth Coaches Must Be Educators As a mental performance coach and member of a national coaching education cadre, I’ve witnessed a curious phenomenon: …
When a Smile Isn’t Defiance
When a Smile Isn’t Defiance: Understanding Neurodivergent Coping Mechanisms in Sport There’s this moment I see happen all the time in youth sports. A coach gives a correction—maybe it’s about …
Rethinking the ‘One-Size-Fits-All’
Rethinking the ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Practice Plan for Neurodivergent Athletes Coaching neurodivergent athletes is one of the most rewarding—and humbling—experiences a coach can have. It challenges you to expand your toolkit, rethink …
“Yeah, but…”
One of the challenges I face personally as I work my way through this doctoral program is the sheer amount of information to sort through and the need to hoard …
Ask Dan – ADHD Athletes
Sorry for the delayed response. I am knee-deep in coaching, teaching, and working on my doctorate. It is a bit crazy. TLDR = Neurodivergent/ADHD athletes have unique needs, and the …
Neurodivergent Players: Collaboration Between Coaches and Parents
In the realm of sports, players with neurodivergent conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or dyslexia, possess unique strengths and challenges that can impact …
Coaching Players with ADHD
Coaching players with ADHD can be challenging, as the disorder can make it difficult for individuals to stay focused and perform well in sports. However, there are effective coaching strategies …