Athete Development: The Power of Play and Games

Inspired by our book Coaching Better Athletes

Part 1 of a 2 part series

Play isn’t just child’s play—it’s a cornerstone of athletic growth for all ages. It builds stronger bodies, sharper minds, and resilient spirits. Whether you’re a young athlete discovering your potential or a seasoned competitor honing skills, play and games are the secret sauce to unlocking your best self. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll dive into why unstructured play and athletic games are vital for building better athletes—and why joy is the ultimate coach.

The Magic of Unstructured Play

Play is freedom. It’s movement without rules, scores, or pressure—just pure, unfiltered exploration. For athletes, this is where confidence blooms and resilience takes root. Unlike rigid drills, play invites risk-taking and experimentation in a judgment-free zone. It’s a sandbox for the mind and body, where failure isn’t a setback but a learning opportunity..

Physically, play is a powerhouse. It sharpens motor control, strength, speed, and agility through repetitive, joyful movement. Research shows that more physical activity leads to better motor skills. Play also hones spatial awareness—a skill many young athletes need to develop. Whole-body activities like running, jumping, and tumbling teach the body how it moves in space, fine-tuning coordination and senses. These are the building blocks of athletic prowess.

Mentally, play is just as potent. It boosts emotional regulation, problem-solving, and self-awareness while letting athletes explore without fear. For young brains, play forges neural connections; for older ones, it can rewire them reinforcing a positive disposition and strengthening mental resilience. Coaches, here’s your cue: weave free play into practice. Skip the consequences and scores. Let your athletes stumble, experiment, and grow fearless.

As athletes mature, play evolves into goal-oriented play (GOP). Think “the floor is lava,” ninja courses, or timed balance challenges. GOP blends fun with focus, targeting specific skills like throwing for distance or somersaulting for reps. It’s play with a purpose, blurring the line between goofing off and training—and that’s the beauty. There’s no need to choose between fun and progress.

Games: Play with a Dash of Structure

Games take play up a notch by adding just enough structure to keep things exciting without losing the fun. They’re organized chaos, designed to spark joy and movement. While board games and video games have their merits, athletic games—those rooted in physical activity—are the stars here, especially for younger athletes (ages 5-10), though they benefit all ages.

Athletic games come in three flavors:

• Cooperative: Players work together toward a shared goal, like passing a ball without dropping it.

• Competitive: Games like “red light/green light” or “kick the can” pit players against each other, sharpening speed, agility, and skill.

• Hybrid: These blend both, like teams racing to complete the most passes, fostering group tempo, coordination, and strategy.

  
  

A well-rounded athlete needs all three. Variety in games breeds variety in benefits—strength, speed, agility, mobility, spatial awareness, coordination, and mental sharpness. Coaches can keep things fresh by adding sport-specific twists: soccer players can dribble during red light/green light, or basketball players can weave through tag with a ball. Playground classics like kickball, dodgeball, four-square, or Wiffle ball teach kids to move their bodies in diverse ways, building a strong athletic foundation.

With many schools offering only 1-2 days of PE per week for elementary students, parents and youth coaches are the real MVPs for keeping kids active. Encourage neighborhood games with friends—it’s a natural, joyful way to stay moving.

Why It Matters

Play and games aren’t just warm-ups; they’re the heart of athletic development. They build skills, confidence, and a love for movement that lasts a lifetime. By prioritizing joy over pressure, we create athletes who are physically capable and mentally unstoppable.

In Part 2, we’ll explore how sports take this foundation to the next level, blending play’s freedom with games’ structure and adding the thrill of competition. We’ll also share a roadmap for athletic development that keeps the focus on growth, not just the scoreboard. Stay tuned to discover how to build better athletes through the power of play, games, and sports!