If your child is between the ages of 8-13 I believe the best thing for their athletic development (social and emotional development too) is self organizing games with their friends. That is far more valuable than having any type of specific skill coach.

As a parent, I will invest my time and money getting my kids together with their friends and encouraging free play before I invest in any type of travel ball, skills coach, and/or strength coach.

Child-led games & activities done several times per week every week is by far the more important to your child’s athletic, social, and emotional development than any organized league, travel ball, or private coach.

Invest in creating an environment & culture that encourages your child to do some or all of the following on a weekly basis: tag, dodge ball, drive way basketball, backyard football/wiffleball/soccer/kickball, low rim dunks, trampolines, 4 square, riding bikes, & exploring nature