04/09/2026
Continuing on alignment…
Because it’s not just about the team or the coach.
It’s also about the environment you create around your athlete.
And this is a part that doesn’t get talked about enough.
Alignment means understanding how your athlete actually ticks.
Because not every athlete is wired the same way.
Some are internally driven — they don’t need to be pushed.
Some are more sensitive and can get in their own heads.
Some need encouragement more than pressure.
And if we don’t take the time to understand that…
We can unintentionally create an environment that works against them.
I’ve seen it show up in different ways:
• coaching from the sidelines
• constant comparisons to other players
• focusing on things outside the athlete’s control (refs, coaches, teammates)
• setting expectations that don’t match where they are right now
And most of the time, it doesn’t come from a bad place.
It comes from wanting the best.
But when the environment around the athlete doesn’t match what they actually need…
It creates pressure instead of progress.
At the same time — there’s a balance.
If you’re raising an aspiring elite athlete…
You can’t put them in a bubble.
You can’t constantly defend them.
You can’t remove every challenge.
And you can’t avoid holding them accountable.
Because that doesn’t help them grow.
Development requires both:
Support and accountability.
Sometimes that means being compassionate.
And sometimes that means letting them work through discomfort.
Alignment at home means asking:
What does my athlete need from me right now?
And also:
Am I helping them grow — or protecting them from growth?
Because when the right support system is in place…
That’s when real development happens.
Not just in skill — but in confidence, resilience, and mindset.
And that’s what carries them forward long-term.
