Introduction

      Congratulations on downloading your parents' guide! This is not just a guide; it's a lifeboat intended for the unpredictable seas of youth sports parenting. This labor of love is based on my 16-year rollercoaster of a journey—complete with highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether it's wisdom earned the hard way with my own kids, observations from other struggling athletes or parents, or knowledge amassed from mental health courses, coaches' clinics, and years of consuming books, podcasts, and videos—I've got you covered.

      Let's be clear: there's no universal manual for your child. No two athletes are the same, and what works for one may not work for another. You'll encounter struggles even when you set out to find the best advice, just as I did. There will be times when you feel lost and ask yourself, "Am I doing the right thing for my kid here?" My advice is this: Look at everything you read on my site, and everything anyone tells you about what's right for your kid, in the same way that I tell my kids to look at hitting drills. Not every drill is for everyone. A drill that makes one athlete better could make another worse. Drills aren't a daily prescription; if done too much, a drill that initially helped could end up doing the opposite. First, try to understand what the drill is trying to accomplish before you dive in. The point of drills—and this guide—is to give your mind more data, helping you find YOUR WAY, the right way for YOU! Trial and error isn't just encouraged; it's required.

      You see, patience isn't just a virtue; it's a requirement. No single practice, lesson, or guide can turn your kid into the next Babe Ruth or Jenny Finch. You're initiating a paradigm shift—away from instant results and towards meaningful, lasting progress. 

      So, as you read this guide or heed the advice from hitting, high school, pitching, or any kind of coach telling you what’s right for your kid, remember: the goal is always to find what works for your kid's unique needs. This isn't about finding a one-size-fits-all unicorn solution, but about purposeful trial and error until you find what clicks.

      My goal? To help as many kids as possible. That's why this guide is free. If each person who reads this can take away just one helpful idea, that's an absolute win for me. So, if that happens, please reach out on the website or through social media and let me know what worked or inspired you to look at something in a way that helped a kid—or even yourself. 

Happy reading,

Coach Dave