Dear Athlete,

Whether we’ve met or not, I want you to hear this clearly: I believe in you.

I believe in you because you’re willing to put yourself out there. You’re willing to step up, even when the stakes are high and the outcome is uncertain. You face the pressure of competition and the fear of failure, not in the privacy of your own thoughts, but right in front of others. And yet, you show up. You keep putting in the work, despite the doubts, despite the obstacles. You are willing to fail, learn, and be vulnerable; that is where true strength lies.

I believe in you because you’ve dusted yourself off after every fall. When the world tells you it’s too hard, when others might have given up, you’ve found a way to get back up. You rise again—sometimes silently, sometimes with a fierce roar, but you rise. And that’s something to be proud of. Every time you stand back up, you are building something within yourself that can never be taken away.

I believe in you because you’ve survived the coach who didn’t understand you. You’ve made it through that tough season, that tough moment where it felt like they just couldn’t see the potential in you. But you found your strength, your voice, and your belief in yourself, regardless of how others saw you. You’ve come out the other side stronger for it.

I believe in you because you’ve made it through the pain of losing a coach who meant the world to you. The one who pushed you to be better, who saw something in you that you couldn’t always see in yourself. That loss was hard, so hard that it might have felt like you couldn’t go on without them. But you found a way. You kept moving forward, even when it felt like something precious was gone.

I believe in you because you keep showing up. Day in, day out, you show up. Even when it feels like no one else notices, even when you’re exhausted or discouraged, you show up. And that is the most powerful thing you can do. You don’t back down. You don’t quit. You keep going, even when it seems like the world is telling you to stop.

Whether we’ve crossed paths or we’re still strangers, I want you to know this: I see you. I see the effort, the grit, and the heart you put into your sport. And I believe in you, not just as an athlete, but as a person. You’re doing something extraordinary, and it’s bigger than just winning a game or a match. It’s about showing up. It’s about pushing yourself. And it’s about learning, growing, and believing in yourself, no matter what.

You are capable of more than you know. Keep going. I believe in you.

With all my respect and support,
Dan

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If you have a daughter who loves volleyball but struggles to follow instructions, you’re not alone. Many parents of ADHD athletes understand this challenge. Your child may look at you with wide eyes and nod, but when it’s game time, the instructions vanish. How do we close that gap between hearing and doing in sports?

We know our kids love their sport. Volleyball is their passion, after all. It’s not that they aren’t interested. ADHD affects their ability to absorb and apply instructions in real-time. While this isn’t an easy fix, effective strategies for ADHD athletes can make a world of difference.

Breaking It Down: The Power of Chunking Information

One of the best strategies for ADHD athletes is breaking instructions down into bite-sized pieces. It’s easy to give a broad, sweeping instruction like, “Work on your serve and stay focused on your positioning.” But for an ADHD brain, that’s a lot to process at once. Instead, try breaking it into smaller, clearer steps: “First, focus on your toss. Then, pay attention to your arm swing. Finally, keep your feet planted.” When things are chunked down, the athlete can focus on one thing at a time, reducing overwhelm and increasing follow-through.

Tip: If the coach doesn’t break instructions down this way, you can help by doing it yourself at home. Repetition of simple, clear steps can go a long way.

Visual and Physical Cues: Giving ADHD Athletes a Clear Roadmap

Another great strategy for ADHD athletes is the use of visual and physical cues. Sometimes, words just don’t register, especially when there’s a lot of action happening around them. So, incorporating visual or physical signals can help ground the athlete and keep them on track.

For instance, you can create a “mental checklist” for your child that they can reference during practices and games. This could include simple visuals, like a chart with pictures of the steps involved in their key skills (e.g., serving, receiving, or setting). Another method might involve hand signals or a tap on the shoulder as a physical reminder for specific actions (like keeping the arms straight during a pass).

Tip: Pair these cues with positive reinforcement. The more they see these visual cues linked with success, the more likely they are to internalize them over time.

Consistency Is Key: Make It Part of the Routine

For ADHD athletes, consistency in both practice and instruction is vital. ADHD brains thrive in structured environments, so helping your athlete know what to expect at every practice and game can help set them up for success.

If you’ve read my previous blog Coaching Players with ADHD, you know how important it is to have routines that players can count on. Whether it’s always running the same warm-up drills before each practice or using the same cue words during coaching sessions, sticking to a consistent routine helps your athlete’s brain stay organized and focused. It’s like putting together a puzzle – each piece fits, and over time, the full picture starts to come together.

Tip: Keep routines clear, simple, and predictable. When things are consistent, your athlete will have fewer distractions and will be better able to execute what they’ve learned.

Get Them Involved in Their Own Success: Empowerment Through Choice

A crucial part of any ADHD management plan involves helping your athlete take ownership of their development. Instead of simply telling them what to do, ask them what strategies they think will work for them. For example, ask, “What part of the game do you find hardest to remember?” or “What could help you stay focused during practice?” Involving them in finding their own solutions fosters a sense of control, which is key to helping them take ownership of their learning process.

If you’re looking for more hands-on strategies to help your ADHD athlete build mental performance skills, check out my upcoming Mental Performance Bootcamp. It’s designed specifically for athletes aged 12-18, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to equip your child with the tools they need to thrive both on and off the court.

Tip: Keep them in the loop. Allowing your athlete to take ownership of their mental performance can make a huge difference in how they approach the game.

Moving Forward: Consistent Support and Practice

At the end of the day, strategies for ADHD athletes are all about consistency, clarity, and patience. While it may take a bit more time for your daughter to internalize and act on coach’s instructions, with the right strategies, she can thrive. Breaking down instructions, using visual cues, sticking to routines, and empowering her to take ownership are all ways you can help her succeed.

With the right support, your daughter can go from simply nodding along to taking action on the court, and beyond.

The post From Nod to Action: Strategies for ADHD Athletes appeared first on Dan Mickle.

Injuries are a part of sports. We all know that. It’s like the unwelcome guest who shows up uninvited, knocks you off your game, and leaves you sitting on the sideline. But what if I told you that just because you’re sidelined, it doesn’t mean as an injured athlete, you’re out of the game?

Here’s the thing. Injuries suck. There’s no denying that. They can knock your confidence, disrupt your rhythm, and leave you feeling disconnected from your team. But what if I told you that those hours you spend on the bench, or off to the side while your teammates hustle through drills, could actually be a golden opportunity for growth?

Now, let’s be clear here. I’m not talking about pretending like the injury isn’t happening. I’m not saying “get over it” or “just push through.” No one expects an injured athlete to power through a torn ligament or a broken bone. What I am talking about, though, is taking advantage of that time, sitting out or off to the side, and still learning.

Think of it like this: Just because you’re an injured athlete and not physically playing the game doesn’t mean you can’t still grow as an athlete. There’s a lot happening on that field, like strategies, techniques, and team dynamics, that you can learn by simply watching and observing. When you’re sidelined, you have the freedom to focus on things you might not have noticed while you were fully involved in the action.

What we can do?

Let’s start with learning from drills. Watching your teammates perform drills from the sideline can give you a fresh perspective. Sure, you may not be running the drills yourself, but you can analyze the techniques, timing, and execution. What are they doing well? What are they struggling with? Where could they improve? Those insights might seem small, but they add up. And when you’re back in action, you’ll be ready to apply those observations to your own play.

But let’s take it even further. Mental toughness. Focus. Game IQ. These are all skills you can develop just as much off the field as on it. Watching how your teammates handle pressure, how they bounce back from mistakes, and how they communicate with each other can teach you volumes about handling those situations when you’re back in the game.

There’s a hidden strength in observation. It’s not just about sitting on the sidelines and feeling bad about not being able to play. It’s about being an active participant in your own growth and making sure you’re ready when the opportunity comes to get back out there.

More Resources

If you’re a parent of an athlete, supporting your child’s mental resilience, especially when they’re sidelined, can make a huge difference. It’s about more than just physical recovery—it’s about helping them develop the mental skills to bounce back stronger. To help you with this, I’m offering a free webinar on June 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time where we’ll explore practical strategies for supporting your athlete’s mental game. You can register here for the Parent Playbook webinar: The Parent Playbook Webinar Registration.

In case you’re interested in diving deeper into the mental side of sports, particularly how motivation plays a role in maintaining focus and resilience, you can check out a previous blog on Athlete Motivation.

So yes, injured players should show up. They should be present. They should be learning. Being sidelined doesn’t mean being out of the game. In fact, it could be your greatest opportunity to develop the mental and strategic side of your game that will help you become a more complete player when you return.

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