"Improve the state of youth sports by providing research-backed information to parents and coaches so they can make the most informed decisions possible for their children and teams."
Through this process (bachelor's in Psychology, 2 masters degrees (Sports Coaching and Exercise Science), years of coaching multiple sports (baseball, softball, basketball (boys and girls) and football) in various youth organizations (Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Michigan), and many years of research), I've found information that forced a change in my thought processes, my coaching practices, and the way I understand youth sports in general.
Many nuggets of information I've found show a disconnect with the coaching practices of the 80's and 90's (how I was coached growing up) and those of today.
I only assume each generation goes through this change and many aspects of the way they were coached growing up were no longer efficient or acceptable when they became adults.
I understand some of the points I find (and have found) in the research will not be popular nor readily accepted by the majority initially. However, I believe mounting research on any topic supremely trumps any "this is what I think based on my experience" ideal.
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One facet of coaching is that, if you want to coach for a long time, you need to adapt to the minds of your athletes as they change. "Change with the times or get left behind."
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In youth sports, if your goal as a coach is anything short of pure athlete development, you're missing the boat. And if you plan to coach youth sports, you owe the players and their families to provide your best effort at all times. That means getting up to speed on research literature, understanding why you're teaching what you're teaching, and the associated benefits of each conversation, drill, pep talk, butt chewing, and lesson.
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And, for Pete's sake, DO NOT REST ON WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW FROM YOUR PLAYING DAYS...
RE-LEARN EVERYTHING!