Somewhere in the shadowy margins of a suburban sports complex, a beleaguered youth sports director is drowning in spreadsheets, unanswered emails, and the ceaseless bickering of parents who want their kid to play attack but don’t know what offsides means.

The number one question I get about 5 times a week - which software system should I use? And my answer is always….it depends. I know it's frustrating, but there are MANY factors that should be considered when choosing a software system.

Are we contributing to the stress? Are we just spurring on the professionalization of youth activities? Are we part of the solution or just continuing the problem. 

For anyone involved in youth sports it’s a question you must keep asking, especially as you reflect on the state of youth sports and your role within it.

Most people don’t become the President of a youth sports organization by choice. It’s not because they don’t want to help out, but it’s often thrust upon them in a moment of need. With the decline of volunteerism in this country, the true volunteers are often being asked to do part-time if not full-time jobs, but for no pay and with very little resources. 

So what do you do if you find yourself in this situation? 

We often speak at Focus on the Field about a concept called the “Tyranny of the Urgent”, the imperative that what needs to happen first is often what is the most urgent and seemingly important. But when the tyranny of the urgent takes over, processes, systems and inevitably humans start to break down. So how does one combat this tyranny or put more simply “the chaos of now”. Is it possible to stop the tyranny before it starts?

I’m here to say YES it is possible.

What began as an idea in the fall of 2019 has blossomed into a thriving business dedicated to alleviating the off-field administrative burden of coaches, directors, and volunteers, ensuring that kids have the best possible on-field experience.

Coaching youth (and adult) athletes is one of the most rewarding opportunities. Working in youth sports, it is important to get back to these Five Foundations, passed on to us from some of the best coaches we know in our youth partner groups: 

Five Of The Best Coaching Foundations

Growing up in youth sports in the 80’s and 90’s, physical performance, discipline, and teamwork were always the focal points. Grit and toughness were exalted and physical pain was a necessary feature, not necessarily in a bad way. That said, mental pain and anguish was a non factor, it just wasn’t discussed.

Just Lose, Baby. You’ll end up winning a lot more if you do.

In the dynamic landscape of modern marketing, social media has emerged as a powerhouse for building brand identity and fostering connections. In today's world, it's just as vital to your club as having a newsletter, website or any traditional print advertising.

Many leaders of youth and amateur sports organizations are drawn to this industry because teamwork, character-building, and athletic development form the very foundation of these organizations.

Yet beneath this dedication lies a formidable challenge for any youth sports leader – the rising tide of administrative tasks and parent requests for time and attention.

Coaches and sports club directors are the backbone of any successful athletic program. They dedicate countless hours to training athletes, organizing competitions, and ensuring the smooth operation of their clubs. Yet, one often-overlooked aspect of their roles is the constant barrage of emails from parents and other community members.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The truth of the matter is, a youth sports organization won’t function if it’s doesn’t make money. There are so many costs—from uniforms to referees to staff to technology to equipment and beyond. And you, of course, would like to be able to put some money in your own pocket.

LeagueApps spoke with Tyler Kreitz, Founder of Focus on the Field to get his insight on ways to make money for your youth sports organization.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this series of posts, published by our CEO Tyler Kreitz for ADVNC Lacrosse, Tyler sheds light on pressing issues facing families in youth sports. Not only does Tyler provide valuable insight on these issues from top researchers in the space, but also tangible solutions to instill positive change in the youth sports ecosystem coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.