The Matheny Manifesto

1. Youth Sports Should Prioritize Love of the Game Over Winning

To create an atmosphere in which young people can reach their full potential, I must first make sure they develop a love and a passion for their sport, before any other lessons can be taught—including the will to win.

Passion First. The primary goal of youth sports should be to foster a genuine love for the game. When children enjoy what they're doing, they're more likely to dedicate themselves to improvement and develop a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. This love of the game is the foundation upon which all other lessons are built.

Fun Trumps Pressure. Organized sports should be fun, not a source of stress. When the focus shifts to winning at all costs, children can experience undue pressure, leading to burnout and a loss of interest. Creating a positive and supportive environment where kids can enjoy themselves is crucial for long-term engagement.

Wiffle Ball Analogy. The author's fond memories of playing Wiffle ball in his backyard highlight the importance of unstructured play. These informal games allow children to develop their skills, creativity, and love for the sport without the constraints of organized competition. This is in contrast to the hyper-organized, high-pressure environment of many youth sports programs today.

2. Parents Should Encourage, Not Pressure, Their Children in Sports

I believe the biggest role a parent can play is to be a silent source of encouragement.

Silent Support. Parents should primarily offer silent encouragement, allowing coaches to do their job and children to develop their own skills and strategies. Overbearing parents can create unnecessary pressure and hinder their child's enjoyment and development.

Avoid Coaching from the Sidelines. Parents should resist the urge to coach from the stands, as this can undermine the coach's authority and confuse the child. Instead, they should focus on providing positive reinforcement and support, regardless of the outcome of the game.

Post-Game Encouragement. The most important thing parents can say after a game is that they enjoyed watching their child play and hope they had fun. This reinforces the idea that participation and effort are more important than winning or losing. This approach helps to foster a healthy attitude toward sports and competition.

3. Coaches Should Focus on Development, Not Just Winning

Our role as coaches is not just to build up the scoreboard but also to build up our players so that they become character-filled leaders who will have an impact on those around them.

Transformational Coaching. Coaches should strive to be transformational, focusing on developing their players as individuals, not just as athletes. This involves teaching life lessons, building character, and fostering a sense of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Avoid Transactional Coaching. Transactional coaches prioritize winning above all else, often resorting to tactics that may be detrimental to the players' development or well-being. This approach can create a negative and unhealthy environment that undermines the true purpose of youth sports.

Long-Term Impact. The impact of a good coach extends far beyond the playing field. By instilling values such as discipline, respect, and perseverance, coaches can help shape their players into responsible and successful adults. This long-term perspective is essential for creating a positive and lasting legacy.

4. Character Building Should Be Integrated into Youth Sports

Ironically, if I had learned anything from baseball, from all the coaching and the training and the practices and the development, it was that so much more went into making a child an adult than teaching athletic skills and how to win games.

Beyond Athletic Skills. Youth sports provide a unique opportunity to teach valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the playing field. Character building should be an integral part of the youth sports experience, helping children develop into responsible and well-rounded individuals.

Character Studies. The author implemented "character studies" into his team's practices, dedicating time to discussing topics such as honesty, teamwork, and leadership. These discussions helped the players develop a strong moral compass and understand the importance of ethical behavior.

Community Service. Engaging in community service projects is another way to build character and instill a sense of social responsibility. By giving back to their communities, young athletes learn the importance of helping others and making a positive impact on the world. This can include:

• Conducting baseball clinics for inner-city kids
• Helping out with the Challenger League for handicapped kids
• Picking up trash on roadsides

5. Good Sports Parents Provide Support and Opportunity

My main goals are to: 1. teach these boys how to play baseball the right way 2. make a positive impact on them as young men 3. do all this with class.

Active Involvement. Good sports parents are actively involved in their children's athletic pursuits, providing support, encouragement, and opportunities for growth. This involves playing catch, attending games, and helping them develop their skills.

Avoid Over-Involvement. While active involvement is important, parents should avoid becoming overbearing or interfering with the coach's role. They should trust the coach's expertise and allow their children to develop their own skills and strategies.

Focus on Effort and Improvement. Parents should focus on their child's effort and improvement, rather than solely on the outcome of the game. This helps to foster a growth mindset and encourages children to persevere in the face of challenges. This includes:

• Playing catch with their child
• Hitting them grounders and pop flies
• Making sure they get enough repetition

6. Great Coaches Teach Life Lessons Beyond the Game

The coach is first of all a teacher.

More Than Just Skills. Great coaches are more than just instructors; they are teachers who impart valuable life lessons that extend far beyond the playing field. They instill values such as discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, helping their players develop into responsible and successful adults.

John Wooden's Example. John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, is a prime example of a coach who prioritized character over winning. He emphasized values such as humility, selflessness, and teamwork, and his players went on to achieve success both on and off the court.

Lasting Impact. The lessons taught by great coaches can have a lasting impact on their players' lives. These lessons can help them navigate challenges, build strong relationships, and achieve their full potential in all areas of life. This includes:

• Teaching them about honesty
• Teaching them about being a good teammate
• Teaching them about hard work

7. Leadership Requires Humility and a Focus on Others

Leadership is the ability to get individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results while at the same time letting them know they did it themselves.

Servant Leadership. True leadership is about serving others and putting their needs before your own. This involves empowering individuals, fostering a sense of teamwork, and creating a positive and supportive environment.

Humility and Selflessness. Effective leaders are humble and selfless, recognizing that their success depends on the contributions of others. They are willing to share credit, admit their mistakes, and prioritize the needs of the team over their own personal ambitions.

Leading by Example. The most powerful form of leadership is leading by example. When leaders demonstrate the values and behaviors they expect from others, they inspire trust, respect, and commitment. This includes:

• Being honest
• Being dependable
• Being humble

8. Confidence Comes from Preparation and Trust

I felt that if the players were prepared, we would do just fine.

Preparation is Key. Confidence is built on a foundation of preparation and hard work. When athletes are well-prepared, they are more likely to feel confident in their abilities and perform at their best.

Trust in the Process. Trusting in the process and having faith in their abilities is essential for building confidence. This involves focusing on the things they can control, such as their effort and attitude, and letting go of the things they cannot.

Empowering Players. Empowering players to make decisions and take ownership of their performance is another way to build confidence. This involves giving them the freedom to call their own pitches, make their own adjustments, and learn from their mistakes. This includes:

• Letting the catcher call the game
• Letting players try new positions
• Letting players make mistakes

9. Teamwork Requires Selflessness and Respect

We can become great in the eyes of others, but we’ll never become successful if we compromise our character and show disloyalty toward friends or teammates.

Putting the Team First. Teamwork is about putting the needs of the team before your own personal ambitions. This involves sacrificing individual goals, supporting your teammates, and working together towards a common objective.

Respect and Encouragement. Respecting and encouraging your teammates is essential for building a strong and cohesive team. This involves treating everyone with kindness, offering positive reinforcement, and celebrating each other's successes.

Avoiding Selfishness. Selfishness can be a destructive force on any team. Players who prioritize their own personal gain over the success of the team can undermine morale, create conflict, and ultimately hinder the team's performance. This includes:

• Not showing up teammates
• Not complaining about playing time
• Not being jealous of other players' success

10. Faith Provides a Foundation for Character and Perspective

My Christian faith guides my life, and while I have never been one to force it down someone’s throat, I also believe it’s cowardly and hypocritical to shy away from what I believe.

Moral Compass. Faith can provide a strong moral compass, guiding individuals to make ethical decisions and live a life of purpose. It can also provide a sense of hope and perspective, helping them navigate challenges and find meaning in their experiences.

Living Out Beliefs. The most effective way to share your faith is to live it out in your daily life. This involves treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect, and demonstrating the values you believe in through your actions.

Respecting Others' Beliefs. While it's important to be honest about your own beliefs, it's equally important to respect the beliefs of others. This involves avoiding judgment, engaging in respectful dialogue, and recognizing that everyone has the right to their own spiritual path. This includes:

• Not forcing your beliefs on others
• Being respectful of other religions
• Being tolerant of different viewpoints

11. Class Means Respecting Everyone, Even Opponents and Umpires

We may not win every game, but we will be the classiest coaches, players, and parents at every game we play.

Respect for Opponents. Showing respect for your opponents is a fundamental aspect of sportsmanship. This involves treating them with courtesy, acknowledging their skills, and congratulating them on their successes, even in defeat.

Respect for Umpires. Respecting umpires, even when you disagree with their calls, is another essential element of class. This involves avoiding personal attacks, refraining from arguing excessively, and accepting that umpires are doing their best to make fair and accurate calls.

Dignity in Victory and Defeat. Maintaining dignity in both victory and defeat is a hallmark of class. This involves avoiding gloating or taunting in victory and accepting defeat with grace and humility. This includes:

• Shaking hands with opponents after the game
• Thanking the umpires for their service
• Not gloating or taunting

12. Toughness Is About Perseverance, Not Just Physicality

Nothing worth doing right is easy.

Mental Fortitude. True toughness is about mental fortitude, not just physical strength. This involves persevering in the face of challenges, overcoming adversity, and maintaining a positive attitude, even when things get difficult.

Resilience and Grit. Resilience and grit are essential qualities for success in sports and in life. These qualities enable individuals to bounce back from setbacks, learn from their mistakes, and continue striving towards their goals.

Embracing Challenges. Embracing challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth is another key aspect of toughness. This involves stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking risks, and pushing yourself to achieve more than you thought possible. This includes:

• Playing through injuries
• Overcoming fear
• Never giving up

Last updated: April 12, 2025