Description

For the first two decades of his professional journey Ian King focused on the champion athlete, working almost exclusively with the 18-35 year age group.  Following the arrival of his own children, he expanded his focus to the 0-18 year age group to give his own children the best opportunity to optimize their childhood athlete development. This book shares the lessons from Ian King combining his child training journey with his champion training journey.

The aim of the Child to Champion teachings is to give the young athlete excellence in sport so that they are given the opportunity to fulfil their potential – in life and in sport.  Whether they choose to become a champion athlete is up to them. Our job as parents and coaches of the young athlete is to give them that opportunity.

Child to Champion teaches that we achieve this through excellence, the same excellence that is expected in the education of the child but not in sport.

Child to Champion teaches that sport should be fun and result in the lifting of the childs self-belief. The positive experience of playing sport should shape value, beliefs and behaviors that make a positive contribution to society irrespective of whether the child continues with sport as an adult.

Unfortunately too many children’s sporting experience is not a positive one. And too many young athletes become injured, burnout and drop out of sport before they need to. Ian King believes there is a better way and its contained in the pages of this book.

If you are looking for a better sporting experience for you children or young athletes, if you are concerned by the direction children training and competition is going, if you are concerned by the rising injury toll in child sport – this book can give you the direction and optimism that there is a better way.

My goal is simply this, to give the young athlete every opportunity to fulfill their potential if they choose. — King, I., 2014, Child to Champion (Seminar), Cape Cod MA USA, 13 April 2014

The Child to Champion book contains:

• 7 sections
• 34 Child to Champion related articles
• 60 chapters
• 270 pages
• 95,401 words

Part 1 – Sport
Part 2 – Long-term athlete development
Part 3 – Athlete preparation
Part 4 – Physical preparation
Part 5 – Training and competition
Part 6 – Injury prevention and management
Part 7 – Parenting and coaching

What others have said about ‘Child to Champion’

I really like how you lead with ‘fun’. It’s something you mentioned in our phone conversation, but also in a lot of your previous writings. Reinforcing that our job as coaches and parents is to create (and frequently ‘protect’ from overzealous coaches/parents) an environment where the kids can have fun. Ideally, unstructured and with as little supervision as possible. I think it’s something so many of us have gotten away from, much to everyone’s detriment.  think it’s great to get all of us coaches and parents to reflect back on how often we’ve seen or participated in or created proper environments for our kids/athletes, and how often we haven’t. I’ve been a part of both and think it’s worthwhile to reflect on why/why not. Possibly reflecting on strategies for dealing with other coaches/parents that are hyper-focused on winning, etc.–John B., Parent and coach of the young athlete, USA

Part 1 is very close to home for me. I have / had many child tennis students and have had to address these issues of fun, self-esteem and ‘better humans’ and had to reflect when not done so well. These chapters took my awareness to another level. With winning and losing ever present and a potential to dent confidence, these words will help me to improve the long-term well-being of my young players. Thank you, Ian! —Don C., Parent and sports coach, AUS

The chapter on ‘What is the purpose of sport?’ This hit home for me on a personal level Ian, and now as a parent myself of a child. Playing sport as a child myself, I experienced some of the things you mention (low self-esteem in particular). You are on the money when you say self-belief is where it starts. 100% hit the nail on the head. So much value and questions to ask here just in this unit that we as coaches can use to help.—Nick B., Parent and physical coach, AUS\

This is a very special course Ian, I’m loving it! The purity of the message comes through strongly and love the focus on play, self-esteem and developing values in the athletes for life. Expression of values re getting to know you and your child feels very personal and caring and protecting the message clearly explains the implications when this is betrayed. This course is million miles away from what the industry focuses on and talks about. –Rob B., Physical coach, UK

Thank you both for coaching and managing the team this year.  I enjoyed training with you this year and learnt a lot. –10 yr old soccer player