Official Review: What Size Balls Do I Need by Steve Morris

[Bruin Dez]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "What Size Balls Do I Need" by Steve Morris.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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What Size Balls Do I Need? by Steve Morris is a thorough guide to navigate the world of youth sports. He has coached several soccer teams in Southern California for over twenty years. This invaluable guide consists of 300 pages of information about different sports programs, coaching styles, and parenting advice to help you chose the best athletic experience for your children.

Some parents put their young children in team sports with the goal of maximizing their potential to become professional athletes or to get a college scholarship. Morris explains how to decide if youth sports is right for your family, “Our rush to make miniaturized adults out of our children comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of what childhood is all about.” He explains that youth leagues are not worth the years of commitment, money, and time if the child is not enjoying the experience. It should be about developing athletic and social skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Morris shares, “Fewer than 2 percent of high school athletes receive athletic scholarships college, with an average scholarship carrying a value of $10,409.”

Kids should discover life at their own pace. Playing and joyful experiences are the best way for children to grow into their best selves. There is a chapter dedicated to the warning signs of toxic coaches and how to avoid scams that promise to make your child a better athlete. Morris explains, “Community holds the key to a positive healthy, and memorable experience for our kids. Support their development, downplay the competition, and provide them with camaraderie and fun, and they’ll remain focused and happy. A simple formula that we adults too often lose sight of.”

What I liked most about this book are the chapters that are dedicated to the different types of coaches, parents, and youth athletes that you will encounter. He uses his personal stories to explain the negative and positive impact that these different personalities have on the youth sports experience. His storytelling is entertaining. I also enjoyed the many pages of photographs that showcase Morris’s experience with different soccer leagues.

I rate this book a 4 out of 4. There are no grammar errors and it appears to be professionally edited. This book stands out from other self-help guides because Morris has a humorous delivery and includes decades of unique experiences. There is nothing that I dislike about this book. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in learning in-depth about the youth sports world to decide if it is worth their time and money. I do not recommend this book to readers who do not want to read the profanity that Morris uses to comment on complicated situations. This book encourages you to be mindful of the present moment in anything you do instead of chasing a future outcome that is not guaranteed. Morris continues to be involved on his website that has an online community, blog posts, and information about youth and collegiate sports.

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What Size Balls Do I Need
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[Kavita Shah]

I like what the book is about and a valid topic it talks about. Sports is fun and to pursue it as a career requires an interest in that particular sport. This book will help many parents to find the best fit according to their child's area of interest. Thanks for the Great review!

[Mwatu]

Glad to read the wholesome attitude the author takes with this book. I do agree with him that it is important not to forget what childhood is about, and not to force children to do something they do not enjoy. I also loved reading that he is actively involved outside the book to advance what he stands for. Thank you for a lovely review!

[Becca Olsson]

This is so great! I like that they emphasize not rushing your kids into growing up and pushing them into every sport. Thanks for the great review!