Coach’s Corner: Your Questions, Answered

Welcome to Coach’s Corner! This month, one of our coaches answers some of the most common questions we hear from parents and athletes. From training tips to mindset advice, we want to give you tools that make sports a positive and impactful experience. Our goal is to pull back the curtain so you can see how our coaches think, prepare, and support youth both on and off the field.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction – Why Coach’s Corner?
2. Q1: What’s the biggest benefit of kids joining youth sports early?
3. Q2: How do you keep kids motivated when training gets tough?
4. Q3: What role does teamwork play in sports and in life?
5. Q4: What’s one common mistake parents make in supporting young athletes?
6. Q5: How do 12th Rock programs set themselves apart?
7. Closing Thoughts – Building Athletes for Life

Q1: How much physical activity should kids get each day?

Sports are about much more than competition. They teach teamwork, perseverance, and resilience. Physically, they keep kids active, which is vital — the World Health Organization recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily for children ages 5–17. Unfortunately, many studies show that children today spend more time in front of screens than outdoors, which makes structured programs like ours even more important. By participating in sports, kids not only hit those recommended activity levels, but they also develop coordination, balance, and habits that support long-term health.

You can read the official WHO guidelines here: https://www.who.int/initiatives/behealthy/physical-activity

Q2: What should athletes eat before practice?

A light, balanced snack is best — like fruit, yogurt, or a granola bar. Heavy meals can slow kids down, but going in hungry isn’t good either. Hydration is just as important — water before, during, and after practice is a must. We often remind our athletes that nutrition and hydration are just as important as drills and skills. Fueling properly gives kids the energy to perform at their best, recover more quickly, and maintain focus during training. For young athletes still developing, these habits also play a big role in long-term growth and resilience.

Q3: How do you keep kids motivated when they face challenges?

We celebrate small wins. If an athlete shaves half a second off their sprint or learns a new skill, that’s a success. Confidence grows when effort is recognized, not just the outcome. Challenges are part of the process, but when kids learn that persistence leads to progress, they start to build resilience. I also like to remind athletes that setbacks are opportunities to learn. A missed shot or a slower race time is not failure — it’s feedback. And with the right encouragement, that feedback helps them come back stronger.

Q4: How can parents support their athletes?

Be their biggest cheerleaders. Encourage them, remind them that mistakes are part of learning, and make sure they know you’re proud of their effort. The positive reinforcement at home makes a huge difference on the field. Parents set the tone — if they focus on effort, attitude, and growth, kids are more likely to stay engaged and enjoy the sport. I’ve seen athletes thrive because their parents celebrated every attempt, not just the wins. That encouragement builds confidence and helps kids carry lessons from sports into everyday life, including school and friendships.

Q5: What’s the most important thing for injury prevention?

Warm-ups and proper technique. We start every 12th Rock session with dynamic drills to activate muscles and prepare the body. Strong fundamentals keep kids safe and allow them to keep improving long-term. Injury prevention isn’t about avoiding hard work — it’s about doing the right work in the right way. Teaching proper mechanics, building balanced strength, and encouraging recovery days are all part of keeping athletes healthy. In fact, the athletes who pay attention to injury prevention usually end up progressing faster because they can stay consistent without long breaks for recovery.

Closing Thoughts – Every athlete’s journey is different, but the foundation is the same: encouragement, effort, and consistency. At 12th Rock, we’re committed to supporting youth in every aspect of their development — body, mind, and spirit. Sports are a vehicle not just for fitness, but for building leaders, teammates, and confident young people ready to take on life’s challenges.

Want to learn more about our programs? Call us at 845-692-9092 or visit https://12throck.org