Coaching Young Athletes with Heart

Building Resilience, Passion, Joy, and Lifelong Competitors

De: William Callaghan

Narrado por: Melissa-Marie Shriner

Did you know that nearly 70% of young athletes drop out of their sport before they even reach the age of 13?

That's not what we want for our young athletes—and the reason this happens is one that, as parents and coaches, we can avoid.

The reason kids drop out of sports so young is pressure. They feel immense pressure to win and not to let their teammates and coaches down. The result is stress, anxiety, and, in the worst cases, burnout.

But sport shouldn't be like this.

Sport should be fun, and it should be something that young athletes love because they recognize how much strength it gives them in other areas of life.

It isn't just about medals and trophies—it's about joy, resilience, and personal growth, all of which we can cultivate by changing the way we coach.

Whether you're a parent, a coach, or a volunteer at youth sporting events, you can be a pioneer in bringing a new form of coaching to your teams.

You can build their confidence and show them how to find their strength when they're faced with a new challenge—and these skills won't just help them with their athletic performance—they will help them navigate life as a whole.

The secret is to coach from the heart, leaning into your emotional intelligence to encourage passion and resilience in every young athlete you work with—and this comprehensive and practical guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Inside, you'll discover:

• A clear understanding of what builds resilience in athletes—and the practical exercises you can use to do it
• How you can bring joy back to the sport by infusing fun in every practice (at the same time as building their skills)

©2025 William J Callaghan (P)2025 William J Callaghan

Great coaching book

If you’re interested in becoming a coach, this is a great read. It will show you specifics of coaching youth athletes which is important to think about. The motivations are different at this age and this book will show you how to perfectly navigate tough situations.

Heart over trophies in youth sports

Coaching with heart is more important than chasing victories. True sportsmanship comes from fostering joy, building confidence, and nurturing resilience in young athletes.. not creating stress, fear, or pressure to perform. When coaches lead with care and empathy, they don’t just shape athletes.. they help grow confident, resilient individuals ready to thrive both on and off the field.

How to raise resilient young athletes

I’m not a coach myself but I picked this book because my nephew is getting into sporks and I wanted to understand how to support him better. The guidance is practical, uplifting and easy to apply.

Guiding Youth Athletes with Purpose and Compassion

This audiobook is a thoughtful listen that blends practical coaching advice with genuine care for kids' growth. I loved how it highlighted character and confidence just as much as skills and performance; it made the whole approach feel balanced and human. Shriner's narration added warmth and clarity, making the lessons easy to absorb. A few parts were a bit heavy on theory, but the overall message of leading with empathy really stood out. this book reminded me that great coaching is about shaping people, not just players.

Practical, and Truly Heart-Centered Coaching Guide

Coaching Young Athletes with Heart is one of the most uplifting and insightful coaching books I’ve come across. Whether you’re a parent, volunteer, or seasoned coach, this audiobook offers a powerful reminder that young athletes thrive most when we lead with empathy, encouragement, and genuine emotional connection. What I love most is how the author blends real-world coaching strategies with emotional intelligence. The book shows exactly how to help kids build resilience, confidence, and inner strength, not just to perform better in sports, but to succeed in life. The guidance is clear, practical, and easy to apply, with exercises that actually work.

The chapters on developing emotional intelligence, creating inclusive team environments, and bringing joy back into sports are especially impactful. I also found the insights about recognizing anxiety in young athletes incredibly valuable. Everything is delivered in a supportive, compassionate tone that motivates you to become a better coach and role model. This book goes far beyond teaching techniques. It helps you shape character, build meaningful relationships, and create a team culture where every young athlete feels seen, supported, and inspired. Beautifully narrated and full of wisdom, this audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who wants to coach with purpose, and with heart. Highly recommended!