06/12/2026
One of the biggest mistakes I see is waiting too long to get kids involved in sports.
By the time they reach middle school, a lot of kids suddenly realize it’s cool to be an athlete. They want to be on a team, travel with friends, compete, and be part of something bigger. The problem is that many of their peers have already been developing skills, confidence, coordination, and game experience for years.
Sports aren’t just about talent. They’re about reps.
When a child starts late, they’re often trying to catch kids who have been practicing since elementary school. Unfortunately, most families aren’t able or willing to put in the extra training and practice time needed to close that gap quickly.
As a coach, I’ve seen a lot of kids reach middle school wanting to play, but they’re already behind the curve. Then high school comes around, and the competition gets even tougher.
That’s why I always encourage parents to expose their kids to sports early. They don’t have to become elite athletes. They don’t even have to stick with one sport. But giving them the opportunity to learn, develop, compete, and build confidence while they’re young opens doors later on.
It’s much easier to stay in the race than it is to spend years trying to catch up.
