In the second half of our conversation with Coach Riley, founder of 6:00am Practice, we moved beyond the pre-game jitters and into the heart of the "long game": building family memories and navigating the messy realities of sibling jealousy, unfair coaching, and the science of peak performance.

Coach Riley reminds us that while the games are temporary, the memories—and the habits formed—are permanent.

Sibling Dynamics: Jealousy vs. Envy

When one child is excelling in sports and another is struggling or feeling overshadowed, the household dynamic can become strained. Coach Riley makes a vital distinction between two common emotions:

Jealousy: The desire to take away what someone else has.
Envy: An admiration for something that feels currently unattainable.

To maintain a "Family Team" unit, parents must help the struggling sibling find their own journey. Instead of chasing their brother or sister's stats, help them set specific, personal goals.

"None of us are successful unless all of us are successful." — Coach Riley

By backing out large goals (like "be a better player") into smaller, controllable habits (like "I will be in bed by 8:00 PM"), the child sees a path to success that isn't dependent on their sibling’s performance

The Memory Compressor: What Will They Remember?

As parents, we are often in a marathon of practices, travel games, and missed holidays. Coach Riley offers a powerful perspective shift: your brain will eventually compress these years into a single "vibe."

The Goal: Ensure the compressed memory is positive, regardless of the scoreboard.
The Cost: You can win a championship and still have a negative family memory if the season was defined by arguments and pressure.
The Parent's Role: If your child isn't getting playing time, don't let their disappointment become your disappointment. Find your own joy in the "sports family" at the concession stand or in the stands. This emotional separation allows you to be a stable support system.

Navigating the "Unfair" Coach

One of the hardest lessons in youth sports is dealing with a coach who seems unfair or practices "glazing" (favoritism). Coach Riley’s advice is simple: Use it as a training ground for real life.

Instead of complaining about playing time, teach your teenager to approach the coach with a "coachable" question:

The Script: "Hey Coach, I’d like to know what I can improve on to help the team win."
The Shift: This moves the conversation from a demand ("Why aren't you playing me?") to a partnership. Coaches love coachable players. If the situation is truly unfair, it’s an opportunity to learn how to handle a difficult boss in the future.

The Science of "Buy-In": Sleep and Growth

To get teenagers to follow "boring" advice like getting enough sleep, you have to link it to the things they care about: speed, strength, and performance.

Sleep is not just "rest time"; it is a physiological necessity for the athlete's body. During deep sleep, the body undergoes critical repair and releases growth hormone, which is essential for building muscle and recovering from intense training.

Speed & Recovery: Sleep deprivation increases the risk of injury and slows down reaction times.
The Reset: Teach your athlete that the best players aren't the ones who never make mistakes; they are the ones who reset the fastest.

Connect with Coach Riley

Parenting in the age of social media and "hustle culture" is harder than ever. Coach Riley’s systems are designed to provide the bridge between a parent’s heart and an athlete’s brain.