Times Change. Kids Change.
A significant percentage of today’s athletes march to a different beat.
They struggle in a way you cannot see.
They look like other kids. But they view the world through a different lens.
They have trouble with The Process. They don’t toe the line – don’t get your system.
YOU’LL RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS:
push every button * interrupt * talk back
can’t remember plays, their goggles, or what you just said
distracted * inconsistent * late * unprepared
struggle with emotions, long-term goals and short-term disappointments
SO WHAT GIVES?
Aren’t they just entitled, undisciplined, defiant? Don’t they just need a firm hand?
Nope. Not these kids.
In a nutshell: Their brains are different.
It might be ADHD. Learning Differences. Anxiety.
They travel together, and the symptoms can look surprisingly similar.
The different wiring is invisible. But it is very real. It rules everything about how the athlete participates in sports — and in life.
These kids want to do well. Really.
Their wiring just gets in the way sometimes.
They can’t change that by trying harder — just like a blind athlete can’t will herself to see.
Thus the Struggle
If their differences aren’t understood, these kids can become fearful and angry.
This is what disrupts your practice, magnifies under the pressure of competition and frustrates coaches, peers and athletes to no end.
Own Beat Athletes often quit sports all together.
The Great News
When Coached with understanding, these athletes know no limits.
Their differences can be their Superpowers.
