The Sports Life: How to Develop Summer Structure for Youth Athletes

When I was a kid in the late 80's summer used to mean lazy days, sleeping in and drifting through the week without a plan. But if you’ve got kids in sports, you know that summer now looks more like preseason. Conditioning. Captains’ practices. Strength training. Camps. Tryouts on the horizon. As a three-sport varsity athlete, I think I went to one camp, one summer ... that's it!

It’s a lot. And as a parent, the line between motivating and overloading can get blurry fast.

Right now, I’ve got one son training for cross country, another playing fall volleyball, and a daughter gearing up for middle school soccer and a competitive travel team. They each have different needs, different personalities and different energy levels. But what they all need, what I think most kids need, is a sense of structure with room to breathe.

Here’s what I’ve found helps:

1. Set a Weekly Rhythm, Not a Minute-by-Minute Plan

We loosely map out the week on Sundays. Who’s running when? Who’s got a lift session? Where’s the rest day? It gives them ownership and predictability without the pressure of a strict daily grind.

2. Anchor the Day with One Thing

For some of my kids, it’s their workout or a camp day. For others, it’s a non-negotiable like video games, poolside with a friend or another episode of Stranger Things. The goal is to build consistency without the all-or-nothing mindset.

3. Leave Space for Nothing

Yes, really. I try to carve out downtime where they don’t have to be productive. Let them rest, scroll, nap, play, or do nothing at all. That quiet space is what keeps the structure from feeling like stress.

4. Work Ethic Is Taught by Environment, Not Force

I’ve learned that yelling “you need to run today” doesn’t build motivation. But having them see me train, stick to my own routine, or go lift in the garage makes a difference. More is caught than taught, so I focus less on telling my kids to work hard and more on showing them what it looks like.

5. Check the Vibe, Not Just the Schedule

We do quick check-ins. “How’s your body feeling?” “Need to switch up the plan?” “Feeling motivated or fried?” That gives them a say, and reminds them they’re not machines.

This summer isn’t about perfection. It’s about building habits, reinforcing work ethic and helping your kids arrive at fall tryouts feeling prepared, not panicked.

So if you’re wondering whether you’re doing enough, or maybe doing too much, here’s your gut check: Are your kids showing up? Are they still enjoying the sport? Are they sleeping, eating, and laughing?

That’s your answer. Keep the structure. Loosen the grip.

Leah Jantzen is a mental performance and mental health coach, high school guidance counselor and elite endurance athlete. She’s competed at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii and is a multi-time Boston Marathon finisher. Leah is a mom of four kids who play school and club sports and is launching Still in the Game, a community and podcast for active moms. She can be reached at  headcoachleah@gmail.com.