Youth Sports
is Broken.
It's time to fix the system.
Kids aren’t failing youth sports.
Adults are shaping it.
I’m Garry Linton, and I’m building a new standard for parents, coaches, and organizations: a development-first culture that builds confident athletes and healthier families.
D1 Dad • Speaker • Speaker • Youth Sports Culture & Development
The REFORM Blueprint
REFORM is a framework to rebuild youth sports around what actually develops kids—confidence, skill, resilience, and love for the game.
R - Reveal Incentives
What’s rewarded becomes the culture.
E - Expose Illusions
More games does not equal more development. “Elite” does not equal better. Pressure does not equal progress.
F - Fix Feedback
Adults don’t just coach performance, they shape identity.
O - Optimize Environments
Design practice + competition so kids can learn, fail, and adapt.
R - Replace Scoreboards
Stop worshipping stats/trophies. Track growth signals that actually predict outcomes.
M - Measure What Matters
Confidence behaviors. Decision-making reps. Skill transfer. Joy + sustainability.
If we change what adults reward, say, and measure,
we change what kids become.
Where do you fit?
For Parents
Lead your child with calm, clarity, and confidence—especially under pressure.
For Coaches
Coach development first—without losing the locker room to outcome addiction.
For Organizations
Build a culture parents trust and athletes thrive in,clear standards, less drama, better retention.
Join the Movement
If youth sports is going to change, it starts with the adults. I’ll send practical tools, language, and insights you can use immediately, whether you’re a parent, coach, or leader.
Simple frameworks to reduce pressure and build confidence
Scripts for the moments that usually go sideways (wins, losses, playing time, tryouts)
Culture tools leaders can implement without adding drama