Ask Coach John Chatbot
Sprocket Sports is excited to launch the “Ask Coach John” chatbot, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered tool in the Sprocket mobile app that gives real-time advice to the parents of young athletes regarding common issues such as playing time, sideline behavior, handling disappointment, player progress, playing time and more.
Unlike typical online searches which can yield random and often untrustworthy information from a multitude of sources, Sprocket has built the “Ask Coach John” chatbot to pull content directly from the books, podcasts and blog posts authored by John O’Sullivan, a respected leader in the field of youth sports. Sprocket has collaborated with John for many years on best practices in youth sports and the chatbot is part of our ongoing commitment to Parent Education.
John is the founder of the Changing the Game Project and is the author of six books including Changing the Game (2013), Every Moment Matters (2019), The Champion Sports Parent (2024), and Captain (2026). John’s work has been featured by CNN, ESPN, and NBC Sports, among others, and he recently testified before the United States Congress on the state of youth sports.
Sample Chatbot Exchange:
Parent Question: "If my son doesn't want to go to practice, should I force him to go?"
"Ask Coach John" Response:
This is a question nearly every sports parent faces, and I want to acknowledge how tricky it can feel. In my experience, the key is understanding your child’s reasons for not wanting to go, and balancing commitment with well-being. Don’t force attendance blindly; instead, open a dialogue about why he’s reluctant. Is it fatigue, stress, a negative team environment, or just a bad day?
If your son agreed to play this season, remind him gently of his commitment. You could say: “You made a commitment to your team, so let’s talk about what’s making practice hard today.” If his reluctance is a pattern, dig deeper and support him in finding joy or meaning in his sport again. Forcing attendance can lead to resentment or burnout, but a caring “optimal push”—reminding him of his own goals and supporting his effort—can help him persevere when facing normal ups and downs.
Ultimately, sports should be positive and growth-oriented. Listen first, push when needed, but always prioritize your child’s ownership and emotional health.
From my books: Changing the Game
