Youth sports are supposed to be a space for children to receive many benefits, including teamwork, character and skill development, fitness, and most of all…fun.

Unfortunately, despite the good intentions of many coaches and parents, youth sport is often delivered in ways that are not aligned with sound research and best practices. The result too often leads to poor communication and misplaced priorities when the adults are pitted against each other and kids are robbed of a positive experience.

Dr. Amanda Stanec and Richard Way have been involved in sport–as athletes, coaches, consultants, and researchers–for their whole lives. They field questions every day from frustrated parents and exasperated coaches who want more for the kids they love. Protect the Joy provides expert answers and action steps on how to get our youth sports programs back on track.

Blending key research that highlights a stage-before-age approach and tackling difficult issues head-on, Stanec and Way help coaches, parents, and sport directors better understand how the children under their watch can get the most out of the games they play.

Instead of wins and scholarships, Stanec and Way call on coaches and parents to collaborate to create an environment of fun, empathy, and healthy physical, social, and emotional growth for all kids. When we achieve that goal, we protect the joy of sport, which is what invariably keeps kids in the game.