Valerie Alston

Clutch Academy: Sports Psychology for Youth Sport Coaches

Sports EN ↓ 3 episodes

Welcome to the Clutch Academy, where we feature elite coaches who show us how they develop athletes who are confident, calm, clutch, and ready to perform when it counts. We discuss practice strategies, in-game management, leadership, character development and mental resilience the exact strategies they use to help their athletes succeed on and off the field. Follow Me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valstoncoachingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valstoncoachingYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valstoncoaching9666

Author

Valerie Alston

Episodes

Mastering Mindfulness - Elevate Your Coaching Strategy with Nate Buck's Tips 10.06.2026 37:16

Mindfulness for Youth Athletes: Building Confident, Calm & Clutch Players with Hockey Coach Nate Buck In this Clutch Academy episode, host interviews Minnesota high school hockey coach Nate Buck (20 years on staff in Hermantown) about developing athletes who are confident, calm, and clutch through mindfulness, trust, and mental resilience. Buck explains “fix it, flush it, forget it,” being pre...

Volleyball Coaching Masterclass: Instilling Confidence and Building Culture with Laura Watling 27.05.2026 30:51

Volleyball Coach Laura Watling on Building Confidence Under Pressure with Culture and Practice Design In this Clutch Academy episode, host Valerie Alston interviews high school volleyball coach Laura Watling, who shares how mental pressure—not technique—often causes athletes to miss fundamentals like serving, and how she builds confident, calm, clutch performers. Watling explains the importance of...

Interview with 52 Year Coaching Veteran Jack Smithlin 18.05.2026 30:22

Coach Jack Smithlin on the Mental Game, Mindset, and Building Resilient Athletes This episode of Clutch Academy features veteran softball coach Jack Smithlin, who shares how confidence leads to calmness and enables athletes to perform clutch under pressure. He emphasizes that skill alone doesn’t keep athletes on the field; the mind, heart, and body must work together, with relaxed muscles and a re...