Aimed at parents and coaches of organized sports, this easygoing and friendly guide outlines the physical and emotional milestones that determine sports skill development in youth. Dr. Stricker avoids medical jargon and discusses topics such as unrealistic performance pressure; the ways that body chemistry, thinking skills, and emotional maturity all play important roles in athletic training; and differing developmental timetables for young athletes. He emphasizes that a focus on personal accomplishments is a much more effective than a focus on simply winning. Each chapter provides a questionnaire that gauges a child's readiness for the skill levels discussed.