Why Most Parenting Support in Sports Backfires and How to Fix It
From Level Field Hub · 00:18:50
Show by Level Field Hub
EP 1 | The Level Field PodcastWhat do coaches actually wish parents understood? Texas High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year Justin Quest has spent 23+ years building young athletes — and he's here to tell you the truth about what makes a great sports parent, what quietly destroys a player's development, and why the coach-family relationship is the most underrated factor in youth sports.Justin is the head tennis coach at Allen High School in Allen, Texas, a USPTA Elite Professional, and a USTA tournament director. He's also the co-host of this podcast and co-leads the LFH Coaches Space at Level Field Hub. This is the conversation that sets the tone for everything we're building here.❓ FAQQ: What do youth sports coaches wish parents knew?A: According to Justin Quest, coaches wish parents understood how to build trust first and then let go. Trying to control outcomes — from the sideline or at home — without establishing that foundation of trust with the coach creates friction that hurts the athlete most. The best parents show up, support the team culture, and let the coach do their job.Q: What does great sports parenting actually look like?A: Justin says it's simpler than most parents think: get your kid there on time (early, even), keep them hydrated and fueled properly, encourage them to embrace the team culture, teach them to be a good teammate, and don't try to be a second coach. "Part of being a good parent is teaching your child to be a good teammate."Q: What is the most common mistake youth sports parents make?A: The most common mistake Justin sees is parents wanting too much control before trust has been established with the coach. When a parent hasn't built rapport with the coaching staff, they're less likely to trust the process — and that hesitation gets transmitted to the athlete.Q: What is the USTA pathway vs. the UTR pathway for junior tennis?A: Both are legitimate development paths for junior tennis players, but Justin notes there are real misunderstandings ("misnomers") about which path to take and when. He plans to use Level Field Hub to educate parents and coaches on how to navigate both systems and choose the right development road for their child.Q: What is Level Field Hub?A: The LFH community is free for junior athletes, parents, and coaches to connect, learn, and grow together.📌 TIMESTAMPS[02:13] Meet Justin Quest — Texas Coach of the Year[03:29] How Justin got into coaching & his unforgettable first year at Monahans HS[07:05] Trophies vs. developing the whole person — navigating that tension[09:38] The honest framework for navigating parent relationships[11:51] The most common mistake well-meaning sports parents make[12:57] What great sports parenting actually looks like[14:45] Why Justin joined Level Field Hub and what he hopes coaches take from it[16:09] What Justin wants every sports parent to walk away knowing🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS🏠 Level Field Hub Community (free): https://my.levelfieldhub.com🎓 AI-Assisted College Recruiting: https://combine.levelfieldhub.com🌐 Website: https://www.levelfieldhub.com📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/levelfieldhub🐦 X: https://x.com/LevelFieldHub
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