Coach Carey ADHD Sports

Coach Carey ADHD Sports

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Helping kids with ADHD thrive on and off the field. Welcome to Coach Carey!

I’m Dr. Carey Heller (aka Coach Carey) and I share actionable tips for parents and coaches to help kids master executive functioning through sports and life. As a clinical psychologist and sports enthusiast, I help student-athletes, parents, coaches, and sports leagues overcome the unique executive function and attention hurdles that impact game-day performance, school life, and team/league organi

07/23/2026

Are training gadgets actually worth the hype? 🤔⚾

There are thousands of training aids on the market, but not all of them deliver results! Today I’m trying out the Rope Bat, a training tool designed to force proper swing mechanics, improve barrel speed, and teach hitters to extension through contact.

For athletes (especially neurodivergent & ADHD young athletes), keeping training fun, dynamic, and feedback-driven is key to keeping them engaged while building real skills! 🧠⚡

Have you ever tried the Rope Bat or similar swing trainers with your kids? Let me know in the comments below! 👇

📌 Follow for more practical coaching tips, sports training tools, and strategies for ADHD athletes!

07/21/2026

Supporting a child with ADHD in sports shouldn’t feel like an uphill battle for the player, the parent, or the coach. 🧠⚽️🏀

Whether it’s keeping focus during practice, managing game-day emotions, or knowing exactly what to say when frustration hits, having the right playbook makes all the difference.

That’s why I created a free guide packed with practical, research-backed strategies designed specifically for parents and coaches.

Here’s a peak at what’s inside:
✅ Practical game-day strategies to boost focus
✅ Emotional regulation tools for tough moments
✅ Direct communication scripts for coaches
✅ At-home support tips for parents

👇 Want the free playbook?
Comment “GUIDE” below and I’ll send the link directly to your inbox!

Photos from Coach Carey ADHD Sports's post 07/21/2026

When a child with ADHD struggles on the field, it’s rarely about a lack of effort or athleticism.
It’s an executive functioning disconnect. 🧠⚡
Traditional sports environments often rely on rapid verbal instructions, sitting on the bench patiently during down time, and flawless emotional regulation under pressure. Three areas where the ADHD brain processes information differently.
When coaches don’t understand this dynamic, young athletes often get labeled as “unfocused,” “defiant,” or “disobeying.” In reality? They are completely overwhelmed.

As a licensed psychologist, my mission is to bridge this gap so athletes with ADHD (and really all athletes) can thrive, stay in sports, and build lifelong confidence.
🎁 GET THE FREE PLAYBOOK
Want practical strategies you can use at the very next practice, game, or at home?
Comment “GUIDE” below ⬇️ and I will automatically DM you my Free ADHD Sports Playbook for Parents & Coaches! 📄⚡
🤝 HOW TO WORK WITH ME:
⚽ Parents & Coaches: Check out my online course, Game On, for a complete, step-by-step tactical playbook on executive functioning in sports. (Link in bio)
🎤 Sports Leagues & Organizations: I deliver interactive workshops and trainings to equip your league staff and coaches with actionable ADHD coaching strategies that benefit all kids. Email or DM me if you are interested.
💼 Direct Clinical Services: I provide 1-on-1 therapy and ADHD/executive functioning support for kids and teens across 44 states (via PSYPACT). I can focus directly with kids and teens on sports related challenges.
📌 Save this post so you always have this reference handy, and tag a parent or youth sports coach who needs to see this!

SportsPsychology YouthCoach ADHDCoaching LittleLeague YouthBasketball YouthSoccer

07/20/2026

Summer shouldn’t just feel like a school-year sports schedule with shorter sleeves. ☀️

When organized practices wrap up for the season, it’s incredibly tempting to keep the pressure on so our kids don’t “lose their edge.” But for athletes with ADHD, a massive chunk of their development actually happens when they are just... being kids.

Unstructured play is where the magic happens. It’s where they learn to negotiate rules, experiment without the fear of making a mistake, and fall back in love with the movement itself.

In my latest Substack post, I’m talking about how to strike that perfect balance: giving them the mental break they desperately need, while sneaking in fun, low-pressure ways to keep their skills sharp in the backyard.

👉 Click the link in my bio to read the full article!

What was your favorite unorganized neighborhood game growing up? Drop it below! 👇

LetThemBeKids BackyardSports SubstackWriter https://coachcareyadhdsports.substack.com/p/keeping-summer-sports-fun-without

07/20/2026

Keeping it fun vs. keeping it competitive—how do we strike the right balance for our kids this summer? ☀️🏃‍♂️
Summer is the perfect time for young athletes to sharpen their skills, but it’s also a crucial window for them to just enjoy being kids. In my latest blog post for , I break down practical ways parents can support their child’s athletic growth without losing sight of what matters most: having fun.
We’re diving into:
How to foster a growth mindset 🧠
Managing expectations (both yours and theirs!)
Balancing structured training with essential downtime 🏖️
🔗 Blog post link: https://www.mymcmedia.org/how-to-support-your-young-athletes-growth-this-summer/

07/18/2026

How do we actually support our kids in sports without pushing them away? ⚾️👇

It’s a fine line between helping them improve and making them want to quit. If you’ve ever struggled to find that sweet spot—especially with kids who might need a different approach to staying motivated—this is for you.

In the latest episode of Coach’s Corner, we’re breaking down:

How to encourage practice without making it feel like a chore 🛑

Ways to gamify skill-building so they want to participate 🎯

How to build a collaborative plan that keeps them excited for the upcoming season!

Want the full breakdown, game ideas, and strategies?

🔗 Head over to the link in my bio to watch the full video on YouTube!

07/17/2026

The 3-Second "Pause Button" for ADHD Athletes 🧠🛑
Don't write off deep breathing as just a "woo-woo" cliché. It’s a tried-and-true performance skill that gives young student-athletes a massive advantage. One they'll carry with them long into adulthood.

What makes a deep breath so valuable?
It Fuels the Brain: It delivers a rush of much-needed oxygen to the body and brain, which is always a good thing.

It Hits the Brake Pedal: It forces a quick pause so that big, intense emotions don’t completely overtake the situation.

It Separates the Emotion From the Action: It’s totally okay for an athlete to feel frustrated, mad, sad, or disappointed. The real challenge is the impulsive, reactive behavior that usually follows.

The Bottom Line: Taking that deep breath gives athletes a moment to pause and intentionally respond to the play, rather than just reacting to the emotion that came up.

🔗 Want more actionable executive functioning strategies for athletes? Listen to the full episode of the Coach Carey ADHD Sports Podcast episode🎙️ https://youtu.be/lOOCy7GMqwg

07/17/2026

The #1 way to make your kid quit sports? Force them to practice. 🛑

If they have zero interest to start, and then we force them to practice outside of their organized activities... they’re going to lose interest fast.

Instead of forcing it, try these steps to keep the spark alive:

Gamify the practice: Set up a tee, show them target contact points, and turn it into a points game! 🎯

Create a joint plan: Work with them to set up a routine, rather than dictating one.

Focus on the excitement: Use this season to help them get back into shape and rebuild the excitement they had last spring so they can hit the ground running this fall! 🏃‍♂️💨



How do you keep practice fun at home without it feeling like a chore? Let me know in the comments! 👇

07/16/2026

⚾️ The "Backdoor" Approach to Youth Sports Coaching ⚽️
Ever feel like traditional practicing is turning into a battle of wills with your kid?

The secret to helping young athletes level up their skills isn't about pushing harder—it's about rethinking how we practice. 🧠✨

Every child has unique goals, and the best way to help them execute is by breaking down those goals into fun, bite-sized activities.

💡 How to use the "Backdoor" Method:
Ditch the rigid drills: Turn a skill like dribbling a soccer ball around a defender into a fun obstacle course with cones.

Focus on the contact: Instead of just yelling "hit better," make a game out of where the bat meets the ball to naturally encourage line drives.

Disguise the practice: If they don't know they're practicing, the pressure disappears. Keep it fun, interactive, and pressure-free!

Remember: If the pressure is too high and they aren't having fun, it's time to adjust the approach. Above all else, sports should be a game they love to play!

👇 What's your favorite way to make practice feel like play? Let's chat in the comments!

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