Guides
Straight answers to the questions parents of young athletes actually ask — written by coach Marian Pitel, grounded in the science of long-term athletic development.
Is my child training too much?
Injury is a load-versus-capacity problem, not bad luck. Three things you can track at home to keep your young athlete on the safe side — from coach Marian Pitel.
How much sleep does a young athlete really need?
Adolescents need 8–10 hours a night — below 7 means more injury, more illness and lost learning. Why sleep beats extra training, from coach Marian Pitel.
Do child athletes really need rest days?
Rest isn't time off from progress — it's when the body actually builds. Why I'd take two full weeks off mid-season, from coach Marian Pitel.
Is strength training safe for kids, or does it stunt growth?
No — properly coached strength training doesn't stunt growth; it lowers injury risk. The "weights damage growth plates" claim is a myth, from coach Marian Pitel.
Why your daughter's strength programme should not be your son's, scaled down
A girl's strength programme isn't a smaller version of a boy's. Coach Marian Pitel on what actually differs — maturation, load, injury risk — and what doesn't.
Why has my child suddenly got clumsy after a growth spurt — and should they keep training hard?
Post-growth-spurt clumsiness is normal — the body grew faster than the brain's map of it. Don't push harder; ease the load, says coach Marian Pitel.
Is my child behind? Biological age vs the birth certificate
Two children the same age can be three years apart in maturity. Coach Marian Pitel on why "behind" is usually just "not grown yet" — and why late developers often win in the end.
How do I support my child in sport without pushing too hard?
Stop telling, start asking. The five questions and the hero question that build durable, self-driven motivation — from coach Marian Pitel.
Why your teenager isn't being difficult on purpose
The teenage brain matures back-to-front — feelings first, judgement last. Why the volatility is a feature, not a flaw — from coach Marian Pitel.
The 3 Cs of mental performance — what actually builds a lasting athlete
Clarity, Constant learning, Connection — Cath Bishop's three Cs, and why "win at all costs" is the wrong frame even for winning. From coach Marian Pitel.
Should my child specialise in one sport, or play several?
For most children under 14, several sports is the safer bet. What the evidence says about the pro dream.
What are the real chances my child becomes a professional athlete?
The honest odds are long — for everyone. Coach Marian Pitel on what the numbers really say, why "talented at 12" misleads, and what actually matters for your child.
My child has knee pain after sport — should I worry?
Most knee pain in young athletes is growth-related. The five signs that mean see a professional.
What to do the moment your child gets injured (it's not ice and ibuprofen)
The old RICE advice is out of date. Coach Marian Pitel on PEACE & LOVE — why reaching for ice and ibuprofen by default may slow healing, and what to do instead.