10/20/2026
The “ride home” is often a raw moment. ⚽️ 🏒 🏀
We’re proud, we’re invested, and we want to say the right thing while the game is still fresh.
We’ve all had moments where we feel pulled to debrief, coach, or challenge, all in the name of wanting our kid to grow. But at what cost?
The reality is: feedback rarely sticks when a kid’s body is still revved up from the game. Right after, their brain is in recovery mode, not learning mode. Instead of hearing “I am trying to helping you grow,” they can hear “I’m disappointed.” Coaching our kids off the court is still possible, even helpful, just once they’ve had time to settle first.
What the research says: joy is the number one predictor of staying in sport. Not skill. Not achievement. Not perfection. JOY. And it’s our job to create the conditions for it. ✨
At the end of the day, the best result of any game is a kid who still wants to play.