BE ALL IN

A star athlete provides expert advice for parents and coaches.

In this comprehensive analysis, written with clinical neuropsychologist Keane, Pearce Rampone, “the most decorated female American professional soccer player of all time,” shares her personal experiences on and off the field, as a player and mother of two athletes, alongside coaching tips geared toward young athletes. Although most of the stories involve soccer, the advice is useful for any sport. The authors discuss the importance of having parents refrain from coaching from the sidelines, the idea of signing a mission statement of appropriate conduct for everyone to endorse prior to the season, and the need for open communication on and off the field. They explore body language and how a parent can tell whether a child is enjoying the sport or playing because they feel like they should as well as building confidence, working through performance anxiety, and what to say and not to say on the ride home from a game. Throughout, the authors include anecdotes of young players that bolster their guidance. Bulleted lists and clipboard-type notes are inserted into the text, placing extra emphasis on key points and making it simple for readers to find relevant concepts. The authors also cover the all-important topic of injuries, particularly concussions, and Pearce Rampone shares her own experiences with concussions as well as a checklist of symptoms to watch out for in a person with a suspected head injury. Especially dangerous is “the second concussive blow—more serious injury and prolonged recovery time, sometimes resulting in the loss of an entire season.” As a professional athlete who has been both a winner and a loser and who has played while injured, Pearce Rampone’s counsel on these important topics is easy to assimilate and should be required reading for any coach or parent who wants their child to play sports, regardless of the level.

Informative, nourishing reading for parents and coaches and their young charges.