Best Children's Sports Coaching Books of 2026

The Ninja Life Hacks Growth Mindset 8 Book Box Set (Books 9-16) is a fun and educational series that helps children learn valuable life skills. Geared towards kids aged 3-11+, the comedic books are easy enough for young readers yet witty enough for adults. The series includes books on emotions and feelings, leadership, self-awareness, decision making, and more. The Gritty Ninja book, in particular, is praised for its message of "stick-to-it-tiv-ity." Overall, the Ninja Life Hacks series is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and teachers who want to promote a growth mindset and problem-solving skills in children.

This book, "Win the Next Pitch! Essential Mental Game Skills for Young Baseball Players," is a valuable tool for parents looking to help their 8-12-year-old baseball players improve their skills on the field. Written by sport psychologist Dr. Curt Ickes, this book teaches young players how to develop concentration and confidence, and how to apply these skills to any performance situation. The story follows Jack, a new player on the Oak Groves Owls team, as he learns to overcome anxiety, reset after failure, and improve his mental game. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for young baseball players looking to elevate their game and enjoy playing even more.

The 12 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD is a concise guide that outlines key parenting principles for dealing with common behavioral, emotional, and school challenges faced by children with ADHD. The book emphasizes the importance of cultivating a mindset of acceptance and compassion while understanding the executive function deficits of ADHD. It is filled with practical suggestions and quick-reference lists and tips, making it the perfect book for parents who need extra support. Overall, the book offers realistic, concrete approaches for the challenging process of raising a child with ADHD and is highly recommended for parents seeking to better understand their child and help them develop the skills to be successful in life.

The Storm Blitz is a thrilling children's Christian sports fiction book that tells a story of two rival teams, their star players, and the ultimate showdown in the last game of the season. The book captures the excitement of the game and the tension between the two teams as they battle it out for the bragging rights. The main character's determination to stop the opposing team's star quarterback adds to the excitement of the game. Overall, this book is a great read for children who love sports and action-packed stories with a Christian theme.

The book "Mental Toughness for Young Athletes: The Blueprint on How to Push Past Failure, Remain Competitive, and Bring Your A-Game on the Field" is a must-read for athletes, coaches, and sports fans. The book emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in sports and provides practical tips and strategies to cultivate it. The author shares inspiring stories of world-class athletes and their ability to push past failures and remain resilient through challenging times. This book is a great addition to the success self-help books category, and it stands out for its focus on mental toughness in sports.

I've Got This! is the first book in the Perfect Balance Gymnastics Series, aimed at 7-11-year-old girls. Trista, a talented tumbler, enrolls in gymnastics for the first time and sets her sights on making the Level 3 team. Along the way, she learns about hard work, dedication, and believing in herself. The book teaches girls about being kind, flexible, courageous, strong, and, most importantly, confident. This 2nd/3rd grade reading level book is relatable and explores a major life lesson that empowers girls to understand their inner strengths. Melisa, the author, is a former gymnast who brings her experience to the book.

The book "Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention" is a valuable resource for K-12 school practitioners and teachers. The third edition offers new chapters on working with students with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, as well as guidance on developing individual education programs and multi-tiered systems of support. The book provides effective strategies for assessing students' strengths and weaknesses and promoting specific skills, such as organization, time management, sustained attention, and emotional control. The practical tools and reproducible forms included make it easy for teachers to implement the intervention strategies. Overall, this book is a must-have for anyone working with children and adolescents.

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope With Explosive Feelings is an updated and revised second edition of a book that provides a valuable resource for parents and educators of gifted children. The book helps readers understand why gifted children experience intense emotions and how to manage their behavior. The author, Christine Fonseca, a school psychologist, behavioral consultant, speaker, and parenting expert, has used her expertise to provide practical strategies, role-plays, and worksheets to teach parents and teachers how to guide gifted children in recognizing, monitoring, and adjusting their behavior. This book is an excellent reference for anyone wishing to positively impact the lives of gifted children.

Every Moment Matters is a must-read book for coaches at any level who are looking to improve their leadership skills and build high-performing teams. Author John O'Sullivan has compiled insights from top coaches, sport scientists, psychologists, and athletes to create a blueprint for success. The book emphasizes the importance of being intentional in every moment, from designing practices to inspiring players. Whether you're coaching a youth team or competing for an NCAA championship, this book provides practical tools and strategies to become the coach your athletes need. Overall, it's an inspiring and insightful read that will help coaches bring out the best in their teams.

The book "Why Will No One Play with Me?" by Caroline Maguire is a must-read for parents who want to help their children develop essential social and executive functioning skills. Maguire's Play Better Plan provides practical tools and techniques for children of all ages to make friends and navigate social situations with confidence. The book has received numerous accolades, including the Best Book Award in the Parenting and Family category and the Mom's Choice Award. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for parents who want to support their children's social development and help them thrive.