You're driving all over New England, maybe even beyond, getting to practices, games and tournaments.

Free time on weekends was sacrificed years ago.

How many teams do your kids play on this spring? Two? Three? Eleven?

Sports parenting is full time work in the 21st century.

But did you ever stop to think whether all this rushing around is leading to the outcome you and your child envision?

Here's something you may not realize.

The ceiling of an athlete's playing career is determined by just three traits...

• Their sport skills and understanding of team tactics
  

• Their physical strength and power
  

• Their speed

If you can't play the sport, you don't get in the game.

If you're too slow, you won't make enough plays to help your team win.

If you're physically inferior, you'll get pushed around, even hurt, by more powerful opponents.

An athlete's career peaks when just a single trait doesn't match everyone else.

It doesn't matter how good you are at one, or even two of them, if you leave a weakness opponents can exploit.

Maybe you can move to a different position, or change sports, where your skill set is a better fit.

But if you're passionate about moving up the ranks in your current sport, there's no getting around what I refer to as the Three Trait Rule.

The good news is you can improve your sport skills and tactical awareness.

You can also improve your speed and strength.

The bad news is you can't fix any of them overnight. Each takes a sustained commitment to working hard.

And it requires doing the thing you may not feel comfortable doing.

Big, strong athletes need to get out of the gym.

Talented players can't play their sport year-round and give lip service to their physical development.

This is where a sports parent can make the greatest impact on their child's athletic career.

Talk to coaches, go watch an older team play, or ask others who played the sport at a high level.


What is your kid missing that will hold them back at the next level?

Not the one they're playing at now.

Because whichever of the three traits your son or daughter is most in need of, it's going to take time to improve it.

Months, even years.

You're the one who needs to look ahead, a sort of human navigation system, charting the smoothest path to your kid reaching their goals.

Always preparing for the next level of competition, where excellence becomes harder and harder to achieve.

Most athletes fall far short of their true potential, because they didn't prepare for the reality of the Three Trait Rule.

The ones who do are making the most of their genetic potential.

They get more playing time, earn more scholarships and sign more pro contracts.

As a sports parent, you're more than just a chauffeur.

You're also the guide, a critical role in helping your youth athlete achieve their dreams.