In this week’s episode of the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon takes a closer look at youth sports and the development of young athletes. With his experience as a parent, as well as a coach to world-class professional endurance athletes, executives, and amateurs alike for over 15 years, and using his own background in competitive swimming and triathlons, Matt examines the importance of sports for social and physical development in kids and examines the role parents and coaches play in helping to create meaningful experiences. "This is sport. The journey of becoming. That is much more powerful and more important than the outcomes." - Matt Dixon Matt maps out the discussion in a way that applies not only to parents, coaches, and young athletes but also to adult athletes looking to draw insights for their own development journey. This episode covers the role of sports for kids ages 8 to 18 and suggests a healthy route for developing an athletic foundation. It also provides insight into how we can assist our young athletes in moving beyond outcomes or results, to help them develop athletically, while also establishing essential values and character traits that will last well beyond their playing days. "The sporting journey can be a crucible from which we can apply so many of the experiences into almost anything that we do in the rest of our lives. And that becomes really powerful." - Matt Dixon There are trends and challenges in youth sports that interfere with the positive lessons and experiences that organized sports have to offer. From parents who put too much pressure on their kids, to coaches who prioritize winning over development, these issues can create an environment where young athletes don’t reach their full potential or lose their love of the game altogether. Matt examines some of the most common problems in youth sports today and offers suggestions on how they can be addressed. For parents and coaches looking to create an environment where young athletes can excel both on the field and off of it, Matt proposes certain habits they should foster to develop a performance culture and encourage a positive athletic journey. "Remember that you are tasked with building an athlete. And in order to do that, you need to ensure that they have passion, they fall in love, they have a strong structure, a really varied skill set, that then when things are important to get focused, they are best equipped and they are fresh mentally. And so you are building an athlete well ahead of developing a runner, developing a swimmer, turning a baseball player into a pitcher." - Matt Dixon Episode Timestamps 00:00 - 07:39 - Welcome and Episode Introduction 07:46 - 11:36 - Matt's Newsings 11:44 - 01:17:53 - The Meat and Potatoes - Episode 269: Developing Youth in Sport: Observations and Opportunities for Improvement Purple Patch and Episode Resources Purple Patch Video Podcast and More Learn more about 1:1 Coaching PODCAST - Episode 47: Child's Play - FUNdamental Lessons from Youth Development in Sport PODCAST - Episode 95: Youth Development in Sport - Performance Anxiety, Specialization, and the Journey Free Webinar - Hard and Hilly Join the Purple Patch Team - Director of Growth and Business Operations The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Learn more about our Tri Squad Program Send us a message This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch- Receive 20% off their services with code: PURPLEPATCHPRO20 Ask Matt Anything - Leave a voicemail question for Matt Learn more about Purple Patch Squad High-Performance Training Program Join Bike Squad - Don’t just exercise and work out; learn to train with our structured online cycling program Join Run Squad - Increase your running performance through our progressive, multi-sport approach to running Learn more about Purple Patch Fully Customized 1:1 Coaching Learn