Finding Your Focus: A Coach's Guide to Stress Awareness (Faith Based Version)
Elevate your team's potential through learning how to positively managing stress. Expert advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories delivered to your inbox. Free!
What We’re Discussing In This Issue
The Opening Line From Jim and Jason.
A Special Message from former Manager and MLB Catcher Mike Matheny
Champions of Change: The Day Coach Miller's Dugout Found Grace
In the Spotlight: April's Deep Dive into Stress Awareness for Youth Sports - A Faith Perspective
The Reality Check: The Hard Truth About Stress in Youth Sports
The Deep Dive: The Biblical Roots of Stress
The Tool Box: Actionable Strategies for Coach-Driven Well-being - A Faith-Centered Approach
Game Changing Bible Verse: Elevate Your Coaching with this Week's Wisdom
The Joy of The Game: Keeping the Fun Alive
The Opening Line From Jim and Jason
Hey Coaches,
April is Stress Awareness Month, and as we reflect on the pressures in youth sports, let's anchor ourselves in our faith. Remember, you and your athletes aren't alone in bearing these burdens. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). As coaches, our well-being and the well-being of our teams are intertwined; let's prioritize spiritual, mental, and emotional health, finding balance and building a supportive environment rooted in God's peace and grace.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33
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Let's make this year our best yet!
Jim & Jason
A Special Message from Mike Matheny on handling stress and anxiety in a healthy way
Drawing from his experience in professional sports, Mike Matheny discusses how self-centeredness can amplify stress and anxiety, both for individuals and within team dynamics. He proposes a counterintuitive but effective approach: actively focusing on the needs and well-being of those around us. The video outlines practical ways to implement this selfless mindset, both for personal stress management and for creating a supportive team environment.
Mike Matheny further explores these concepts in his book, "The Dad Coach: Harnessing the Power of Positivity to Succeed in Sports and Life" (available on Amazon: Click here for Mike's Book!).
Champions of Change: The Day Coach Miller's Dugout Found Grace
The roar of the crowd used to be Coach Miller's fuel. The sharper the edge in his voice, the harder his players pushed. Wins piled up, trophies gleamed in the case, and Miller’s reputation as a tough-as-nails coach grew. But beneath the surface, a disquiet was brewing.
His players, once bright-eyed and eager, now carried a weight in their shoulders. Errors were met with stony silence, not high-fives. Practice felt like a grind, not a game. And then came the day the dugout went truly silent.
Jake, his star pitcher, a kid with a golden arm and a heart full of baseball, walked into Miller's office. He didn't yell, didn't argue. He just said, "Coach, I'm done."
Coach Miller stared, stunned. "Done? What do you mean, done?"
"I mean I'm quitting," Jake said, his voice flat. "This isn't fun anymore. It's just...pressure. All the time."
That silence in the office was louder than any jeering crowd. It echoed the quiet quitting happening in his dugout, the joy draining out of the game he loved.
That night, Miller didn't sleep. He replayed every tense practice, every harsh word, every missed opportunity to connect with his players as people, not just performers. He realized he'd built a winning machine, but he'd forgotten the human cost and, more importantly, the spiritual needs of his team.
The next day, Coach Miller walked onto the field a changed man.
"Alright, guys," he began, his voice softer than they'd ever heard it. "We're doing things differently now. We're going to put God first and remember why we play."
He introduced mindfulness exercises rooted in prayer and reflection, not just batting drills. He made time for team talks, where the focus was on support, not stats, and on seeking God's guidance. He checked in with them, not just on their arms, but on their hearts and minds, and shared his faith. He even brought back the laughter, sharing stories and cracking jokes, reminding them that baseball was still a game and a gift from God.
It wasn't an overnight miracle. There were stumbles, old habits to break. But slowly, beautifully, the change took hold.
The players started playing with a freedom they hadn't known. Errors became learning moments, not catastrophes. They celebrated each other's successes, big and small, and gave thanks to God for their talents. They found their joy again, and with it, their winning edge.
And Coach Miller? He still loved to win, but he discovered something even more powerful: the deep satisfaction of building not just a team, but a brotherhood in Christ. He learned that the greatest victory isn't a trophy, but seeing his players grow into confident, resilient young men, grounded in faith and ready to face any challenge life throws their way.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13
The 4D Playbook: From Wins to Well-being
In the Spotlight: April's Deep Dive into Stress Awareness for Youth Sports - A Faith Perspective
April isn't just another month on the calendar; it's Stress Awareness Month, a critical checkpoint for everyone involved in youth sports. And as people of faith, it's a time to remember that God calls us to care for ourselves and others, especially in times of trial (1 Corinthians 12:25-26). We're not just talking about the pre-game jitters; we're addressing the chronic, pervasive stress that erodes the joy of the game and hinders holistic development.
Coaches, you're on the front lines, witnessing firsthand the impact of this pressure. Athletes grapple with a complex storm: the intensity of competition, the relentless pursuit of peak performance, the crushing weight of time commitments that steal their childhood, and the insidious "win-at-all-costs" culture that seeps from the pros down to the playground. This isn't just "part of the game"; it's a systemic issue that fuels burnout, anxiety disorders, depression, and even spiritual emptiness, contradicting the very essence of why we coach – to build healthy, thriving individuals who honor God with their bodies and spirits (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
And let's be real, it's not just the athletes. You, coaches, face your own pressures: parental expectations, administrative demands, the pressure to deliver results, and the emotional and spiritual toll of seeing your players struggle.
Here's where we need to sharpen our focus:
Student-Athlete's Tightrope: Balancing academics, sports, and social pressure stresses athletes and can challenge faith. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7
Culture of "More": A hyper-focus on winning overshadows well-being; athletes may tie worth to performance, not Christ. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
Tripartite Pressure: Imbalances between coaches, parents, and athletes create stress; we must love each other as Christ loved us. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
This April, we focus on faith-based solutions:
De-escalate Pressure: Use faith to reduce anxiety. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you... Do not let your hearts be troubled." - John 14:27
Build Resilience: Equip athletes with coping skills and spiritual fortitude. "Put on the full armor of God... that you may be able to stand your ground." - Ephesians 6:13
Open Communication: Improve communication with honesty and love. "Speak truthfully to your neighbor." - Ephesians 4:25
Advocate for Change: Promote well-being based on biblical principles. "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." - Proverbs 31:8
By prioritizing well-being, we're not just softening the game; we're enhancing it. We're developing athletes who are not only physically strong but also mentally resilient, emotionally balanced, and, most importantly, spiritually grounded, equipped to honor God in all they do.
The Quick Huddle Exercise to Handle Stress
The Reality Check: The Hard Truth About Stress in Youth Sports
Youth sports' pressure isn't just talk; it's a real crisis harming young athletes' well-being. We must face the facts.
Mental & Spiritual Toll: Athletes have rising anxiety and depression (NCAA, Psychology Today), causing spiritual distress. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted." - Psalm 34:18
Burnout: Demands are driving athletes to quit, losing talent and their potential to do great things. "Let us not become weary in doing good." - Galatians 6:9
Unhealthy Coping: Pressure can lead to dangerous behaviors like disordered eating and substance abuse, even self-harm. We need God's hope. "God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear... [He] will also provide a way out." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Coaches, Consider This:
Systemic Issues: The system (hyper-competition, lack of support) fuels these problems, not just individual weakness.
Lasting Damage: Stress hurts athletes' minds, bodies, and their faith.
Our Role: We must address this, creating a healthy, God-honoring environment.
The Coach's Action Plan for Athlete Well-being
The Deep Dive: The Biblical Roots of Stress
To truly address stress in youth sports, we must go deeper. Humans are bio-psycho-social-spiritual; stress impacts all these areas. A faith-based view is key.
1. Biological: The Body's Burden
Intense training stresses young bodies, causing:
Injuries (pain, anxiety)
Fatigue (poor focus, emotions)
Sleep issues (hurting physical, mental, and spiritual rest)
Physical stress hurts mental/spiritual well-being. "Glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
2. Psychological: The Inner Struggle
Ego/Pressure: Need for validation/fear of failure distorts self-worth (forgetting identity in Christ). "What does it profit a man... forfeit his soul?" - Mark 8:36
Perfectionism: Pursuit of flawlessness = self-criticism, anxiety, lost joy (forgetting God's grace). "Be perfect..." - Matthew 5:48 (Context: complete love, not flawlessness)
Lack of Control: Feeling helpless over outcomes, team issues, future = anxiety, lost trust in God. "Trust in the Lord... he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Social: The Community Impact
Family: Family stress (expectations, pressure) hurts athletes' ability to honor God with their families. "Honor your father and your mother..." - Exodus 20:12
Tripartite: Imbalanced coach-parent-athlete relationships = stress (e.g., conflicting messages, pressure). "Love one another. As I have loved you..." - John 13:34
Culture: "Win-at-all-costs" = pressure, fear, unethical behavior (opposing Christian values). "Do nothing out of selfish ambition... value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3
G.U.T.S.I. as Faith-Based Solutions
G - Growth Mindset: See stress as spiritual growth, find identity in Christ. "We also glory in our sufferings..." - Romans 5:3-5
U - Unity: Christian love and support. "You are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:26-28
T - Thankfulness: Gratitude to God always. "Give thanks in all circumstances." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
S - Servant Leadership: Like Christ, prioritize well-being. "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." - Matthew 20:28
I - Integrity: Godly ethics. "The integrity of the upright guides them." - Proverbs 11:3
Sources and related content
How to Address the Root Causes of Athlete Stress
The Tool Box: Actionable Strategies for Coach-Driven Well-being - A Faith-Centered Approach
We know you're juggling a million things, Coach, but remember, God gives you strength (Isaiah 40:31). So, here are concrete, time-efficient ways to integrate well-being into your team culture, centered on faith:
Promote Open Communication: Build trust through regular check-ins, one-on-one conversations, and seeking feedback, all grounded in biblical honesty and love. "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor..." - Ephesians 4:25
Teach Stress-Management: Use brief, faith-based exercises like prayer and scripture meditation to improve focus and reduce anxiety, helping athletes find peace in Christ. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer..." - Philippians 4:6-7
Encourage Balance: Remind athletes their worth is in Christ, not sports, and prioritize rest, spiritual growth, and avoiding the trap of worldly success. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" - Mark 8:36
Model Health: Demonstrate healthy stress management and boundaries, reflecting Christ's example of love, presence, and self-care. "Love is patient, love is kind... It does not dishonor others..." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Educate Parents: Partner with parents, communicating your philosophy and emphasizing faith and well-being as a team effort.
Seek Support: Rely on God and a community of coaches and professionals for guidance and self-care, recognizing the strength in unity. "Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
By implementing these practical and time-conscious strategies, centered on faith, coaches can make a significant difference in the lives of their athletes, fostering a culture of well-being that leads to success on and off the field, and ultimately, to God's glory.
Implementation Guide: "The Coach's Well-being Action Plan"
Game Changing Bible Verse: Elevate Your Coaching with this Week's Wisdom
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6-7
Why We Like It: A Faith Perspective
We love 1 Peter 5:6-7 because it provides a powerful, two-part antidote to the stress and pressure coaches and athletes face: First, it calls us to humility, reminding us that true strength comes from submitting to God's authority, not from our own striving. This aligns with 4D Leaders' emphasis on recognizing something greater than ourselves. Second, it offers immense comfort and release in the invitation to cast our anxieties on God, highlighting His active care and concern. This promise counters the "go it alone" mentality that fuels stress, reminding us that we don't carry the burden alone; God is there. This verse perfectly encapsulates a faith-centered approach to stress, shifting our focus from self-reliance to dependence on God.
The Joy of The Game: Keeping the Fun Alive
The Pressure of a good hand shake is real!