In addition to parents and teachers, a coach can be one of the most important role models for a child. A great coach has the power to change the trajectory of a young athlete’s life and to impart lessons that resonate for years to come.

Whether they play football, basketball, soccer, or virtually any other type of sport, young athletes need to have good stamina and endurance. Even if you are a pro at making jump shots or an all star on defense, if you get winded 25 minutes into a game, you’re not going to be playing at your full potential.

If you’re a student athlete, we have some good news for you! While juggling your academic and athletic obligations can be challenging, studies have shown that making the extra effort can pay off in a big way. When compared with students who do not play sports, student athletes consistently have higher GPAs, more positive attitudes about school, and more interest in going to college. In short, being an athlete makes you a better student.

While eating healthy is important for everyone, it is absolutely essential for young athletes! Playing sports requires athletes to be at their best, and that means giving your body the fuel it needs to succeed. To help you prepare for your next tournament at Rocky Top Sports World, our team has put together four nutrition tips for young athletes.

It is no secret that playing sports comes with a variety of important physical and mental benefits. Participating in athletics has been linked with everything from healthy weight maintenance to high self esteem. Although it may get less attention, playing sports has also been correlated with another important trait: making better decisions under pressure. Scientists have found that playing sports can focus the brain in a way that often makes athletes better decision makers than non-athletes. Rocky Top Sports World has put together a brief summary of a fascinating study on this topic.

In recent years, youth lacrosse has really taken off in the United States. In fact, lacrosse is the fastest growing high school sport in America! While the popularity of the sport may be a recent trend, lacrosse has been played in North America for centuries. Rocky Top Sports World did a little research to bring you five interesting facts about the history of lacrosse:

Rocky Top Sports World is pleased to report that youth sports tourism is on the rise! As detailed in The Monitor, travel related to youth athletics has become a $10 billion a year industry. Having grown by 20 percent in the last two years, youth sports tourism is the fastest growing part of the travel industry. As more kids get involved in travel sports and attend tournaments across the nation, families are increasingly trying to coordinate their vacations with their children’s sporting events.