To the quiet athlete...

To the quiet athlete — the parents who love them — and the coaches who bring out the best in them —

Not every leader is loud.

Not every competitor shouts.

Not every difference-maker draws attention.

Some lead with presence.

Some lead with calm.

Some lead without saying a word.

To the quiet athlete —

Being quiet is not a flaw. It’s a strength.

You don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to be one of the most impactful players on the court.

You are steady.

You are confident — even when others mistake your silence for doubt.

You are a contributor — even when you don’t demand the spotlight.

You are a difference-maker — because you know when to speak and when to simply lead by example.

To the parents —

Let them be.

Your child’s quietness isn’t something to fix.

It’s something to celebrate.

Encourage them to find and use their voice — not because they have to be loud, but because they deserve to be heard.

Teach them that leadership can look like calm in chaos.

That strength isn’t always volume.

And that who they are is exactly who they’re meant to be.

To the coaches —

Please don’t overlook them.

Quiet doesn’t mean incapable.

It doesn’t mean indifferent.

And it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t belong.

The quiet ones are often the most steady.

They are the ones who anchor the team when emotions run high.

The ones who listen, absorb, and respond with wisdom.

The ones whose consistency becomes contagious.

If your expectation is that leadership must be loud —

You’ll miss the quiet ones who carry greatness inside.

Don’t sign them off.

Instead, lean in.

Nurture who they are.

Help them harness their strength and find their voice — not someone else’s.

Because quiet athletes are often the calm in the storm.

And what team doesn’t need more of that?

With heart,

A coach who sees you all

This content is the intellectual property of Becca Johnson and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used without permission.