There is a growing danger in US youth sports today.
Young athletes are being taught to focus on short-term winning results rather than on the skill development that sets the foundation for long-term involvement and success in their sport of choice. This misguided focus on results - results due in part to factors ultimately out of a young athlete's control - sets athletes up for failure, decreases their interest and passion, and drives them away from organized sport, robbing them of the benefits of athletic participation.
The toxic environment that an adult-driven, win-at-all-costs mentality brings to a youth sports contest doesn't help matters for young athletes. The fear of making mistakes due to adult pressures to perform impedes individual freedom and creativity, hinders what we call True Skill Development, and makes the GAME no longer fun for the PLAYers.
We're here to change the culture.
Our goals are to help players, coaches, and parents redefine what it means to be successful in youth sports competition; empower young athletes by allowing them to have full control over this redefined success; and assist coaches by providing tools and ideas designed to maximize player development potential, interest, and enjoyment.
In the end, it's all about the smiles.
What is a Skilly®?
First of all, it's called a Skillzy®, with a "z".
A Skillzy® is a colorfully printed, plastic card that depicts a sports-specific technique or tactical idea. The idea is that young athletes try to earn Skillzys® by properly executing learned techniques under the pressures of actual league or tournament games. All Skillzys® are punched with a hole in the upper left corner and are designed to be carried and displayed on an athlete's sports bag or backpack.
Here are a few examples of what they look like. Note that the Skillzys® below were customized for our clients and include their team/club colors and logos.
Click on any image below to enlarge
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For more information, please see our Skillzys® section here.
The Skillzys® Method™
Similar to martial arts belts and Boy and Girl Scout patches, our patent-pending achievement recognition method:
- Focuses players, coaches, and parents on sports-specific technique and tactical idea development
- Encourages attempt of these techniques and tactical ideas in competitive games and matches
- Recognizes players' eventual execution of these techniques and tactical ideas by rewarding athletes with Skillzys® they can proudly display on their sports backpacks or bags
Skill vs Technique
There is a difference.
Techniques are the basic movements in any given sport - a Step Over Turn in soccer, a bunt in baseball, a layup in basketball. Technique is acquired and therefore has to be learned.
Skill is an athlete's ability to choose and successfully perform the right technique at the right time. Skill, just like technique, is acquired and therefore also must be learned.
Our company is based on what we call True Skill Development. The best way for players to transform technical ability into skill is to practice technique over and over again under the pressures of real-game situations.
Skillzys® can help them do just that.
The Skillzys® Way™
Though use of The Skillzys® Method™ alone can have a dramatic effect on your players' enjoyment, interest level, and performance, we encourage coaches to pick up The Skillzys® Way™ to maximize these positive outcomes.
In a nutshell, The Skillzys® Way™ uses the The Skillzys® Method™ to help coaches...
- Offer their players True Skill Development
- Redefine success in order to have the players find success
- Empower players to control their own individual success
- Breed smiles in training and in games, regardless of the final score
- Build a love for the game in all their players
- Set the foundation for both short- and long-term player success
For an impressively detailed exploration into our Mission and Method, and how we are trying to address some of the chaos surrounding youth sports, please read on here.
iDiT™ Customization - Our Way, Your Way, Any Way
Nearly every product line we carry can be designed using your team/club/league colors, logos, slogans, text, etc. Check out our iDiT™ section here for more details.
Don't see a Skillzy® for a technique or tactical idea you are trying to help your team focus on? Or maybe you see a Skillzy® that is close to something you want but doesn't use your terminology? Never fear! We can change anything and are more than happy to work with you to develop Skillzys® that currently do not exist. Please contact us for more information regarding new Skillzys® ideas.
Custom Designed Bag Tags
Though our company is based on The Skillzys® Method™, we also offer custom design options for individuals, organizations, and events looking for personalized bag tags, or Tagzys™ as we like to call them.
We offer professional design services and custom work, with the ability to produce unique, high-quality finished products in amazingly short periods of time. If you're looking for 1 piece or 10,000 pieces, our Skillzys® dZign Team will work with you to ensure a first-class end result.
Check out some of our Tagz™ here.
On the Skillzys® Horizon
Skillzys® has started in the sport we know best - soccer. With more than 200 Skillzys® designs in the works for this sport alone, check back frequently (or sign up for our Skillzys® eNewz™ email newsletter) for company updates and new release information.
Skillzys® has planned phased expansion into the following sports: baseball/softball, basketball, figure skating, football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. If you coach teams in any of these sports and would like to use The Skillzys® Method™ with your youth team, please don't hesitate to contact us and we can work together to develop a custom line for you.
Featured Product Line
Check out our Featured Product Line, Juggling - Feet Only Skillzys®
Defining the Zys
Skillzys®
Customizable achievement cards that help coaches focus players on sports-specific techniques and tactical ideas, encourage attempt of these techniques and ideas under the pressures of league or tournament game competition, and recognize players' eventual execution of these techniques and ideas
Tagz™
Custom bag tags for tournament giveaways, team gifts, or player collectibles.
Bragz™
Portable awards that kids can proudly collect and display in their sports backpacks.
Attachmentz™
Various options we have for attaching earned Skillzys®, Tagz™, and Bragz™ to players' sports bags or backpacks.
Notezy
We're a little "zys" craZY, and reserve the right to overuse the three letters ad nauseam throughout this site.