How can club and travel coaches make youth sports a fun, rewarding, and positive experience while still supporting highly competitive players through every level of their athletic journeys?

Team sports are what you make them—YOU meaning coaches, players, families, communities, and organizations. While those critical of the youth sports system can point to issues with player burnout, high costs, extensive commitments, overuse injuries, and other problems, Legends FC SD-Del Mar ECRL Coach and College Liaison Bob Remensperger joins the podcast to discuss his player-driven approach and the ways that he teaches young players (and their parents!) to enjoy and thrive in their time playing soccer, all while still pursuing consistent development, competitive success, and potential opportunities to play beyond the high school level.

The conversation begins with a discussion of core coaching principles, and Coach Remensperger discusses the importance he places on disciplined preparation, leading by example, and believing in his athletes so that they are comfortable taking risks and being brave.

Based on well over a decade of coaching experience across multiple clubs and levels, Remensperger breaks down ways he prepares for his training sessions, how he interacts with athletes to set the foundation of a positive team culture, and ways he communicates with parents to make sure they are enjoying their child’s experience with the team (plus strategies to help parents turn the dreaded “car ride home” into actual quality time spent with their child).

While much of the discussion focusses on establishing an engaging and welcoming environment on the field, Remensperger also shares practical insight for players looking to play at the college level and how their parents can best support those higher-level goals. As a former college player (and the parent of a current D1 volleyball athlete), Remensperger explains the importance of having the college recruiting process be player-driven, proactive, and realistic. He discusses some of the hands-on advice he provides players in his role as the club’s college liaison and tools and strategies players can leverage while pursuing a commitment to play at the university level.

Chapter List

00:00 Introduction to Coaching Philosophy

01:48 Building Values and Expectations in Athletes

04:26 Leadership and Collaboration in Coaching

07:24 Encouraging Bravery and Risk-Taking in Players

10:58 Creating Joy in Youth Sports

18:28 Navigating the College Recruiting Process

27:03 Positive Parent-Child Dynamics in Sports