by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
Coaching youth sports, especially at the elementary level, is far more complex than drawing up plays on a clipboard. It requires a clear understanding of child psychology, physical development, and emotional needs. Unfortunately, well-meaning coaches sometimes fall...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
It’s a scenario almost every sports parent faces eventually: halfway through the season, your child looks at you and says, “I don’t want to go to practice anymore.” Your immediate reaction might be to push back with “We don’t quit what we...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
As parents, we want the absolute best for our kids. We want to see them shine, overcome challenges, and succeed on the big stage. But there’s a fine line between supporting our kids and overburdening them with unreasonable expectations. Dr. Jon Skidmore put it plainly...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
Every athlete who walks into the gym brings a unique energy. Some kids naturally charge toward the ball with high intensity, while others hold back, observing from the sidelines. As parents and coaches, it’s easy to label a passive kid as...
by Ashley Oxford | Mental Health
Trigger warning: This blog post discusses mental health and suicide. If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Since 1949, the United States has observed Mental Health...
by Ashley Oxford | 3RIPLE 3HREAT, Mental Health
Athletes have long dealt with mental health issues along with physical health injuries. However, due to societal pressures, athletes have been conditioned not to speak out about these mental troubles. We hear phrases like “be a team player’, “push through the pain”...
