Education Training Sessions
Our interactive workshops teach players, parents, and coaches to manage stress and build resilience.
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What is HeadFirst Education Training?
HEADFIRST addresses the pressure today’s young athletes face—on the field, in the classroom, and online. Through education, tools, and real-world conversations, we help players, parents and coaches manage pressure, build resilience, and perform with purpose. Our education training sessions are an interactive educational environment where participants will be learning how to build and strengthen a positive mindset towards strong mental fitness. We aim to equip players, parents and coaches with practical tools, shared language, and evidence-based strategies to support mental fitness, emotional regulation, and healthy performance under pressure.
About this program
Who is invited?
Players ages 12-19, parents, and coaches.
Each session is specific to that audience of attendees. Please make sure you are registering for the correct session.
How else can I support a positive mindset?
Spread the word about this event — and HeadFirst resources!
What will attendees learn?
During the three sessions, attendees will participate in interactive activities, curated discussions, and coach-led team huddles.
Attendees say the training improved their self-esteem, strengthened their connection with their teammates, and helped them develop a stronger mindset.
Program topics include:
- Practicing mindfulness and positive visualization
- Responding to unhelpful thoughts in constructive ways
- Discussing personal strengths and accomplishments
- Developing strategies to bounce back from challenges
- Managing stress effectively
- Making thoughtful and healthy decisions
- Connecting with others in positive ways
Between sessions, attendees will choose from a menu of skills to practice, such as:
- Breathing exercises
- Positive self-talk
- Relaxation exercises
- Noticing good events in life (gratitude)
- Practicing kindness
What will coaches learn?
These sessions empower coaches to intentionally integrate mental fitness into their coaching philosophy without adding complexity or time.
Coaches will learn how to:
- Identify signs of stress, burnout, and emotional overload in players
- Respond to mistakes, losses, and performance dips with confidence-building strategies
- Foster a team culture rooted in trust, accountability, and growth
- Use shared language that aligns players, parents, and staff
- Model emotional regulation and resilience on the sideline and in training
Coaches leave empowered with actionable strategies, practical scenarios, and tools that elevate both performance and player well-being.
What will parents learn?
These sessions help parents better understand the emotional and mental demands young athletes face, while offering clear guidance on how to support growth without adding pressure.
Parents will learn how to:
- Recognize common pressure moments and emotional triggers in youth sports
- Communicate in ways that build confidence, not anxiety
- Support effort, mindset, and recovery rather than outcomes
- Create a consistent home environment that reinforces mental fitness
- Partner effectively with coaches using shared language and expectations
Parents leave empowered with simple tools they can use immediately on the ride home, after games, and during challenging moments.
Who are the facilitators?
This program is based on the research, thinking, and expertise of Scott Glassman, PsyD, of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), creator of “A Happier U.” His team of facilitators make up the coaching staff of HeadFirst Positive Mindset Training. They are:
- Graduate students in psychology
- Specially trained in this curriculum
- From a sports background, including soccer, lacrosse, rowing, boxing, field hockey, and more
Dr. Alec Baker and Dr. Carly Ellman of Excellence in Process are the facilitators of our parent and coach education training sessions.
What is the session format?
- Interactive and discussion-based
- Real-world sport scenarios
- Practical take-home tools and resources
- Designed for immediate application
Together, our goal is to create alignment across parents and coaches, ensuring players are supported consistently, intentionally, and with care, both on and off the field.
Where is it held?
Coach Education Training Session: February 5th, 2026 from 6:30-8 pm at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex
When is it held?
Parent Education Training Session: March dates coming soon email us at foundation@philadelphiaunion.com to secure your spot.
Player Education Training Session: March dates coming soon email us at foundation@philadelphiaunion.com to secure your spot.
How do I register?
Parents can register individual players.
Coaches and club directors can register an entire team.
Click the button to reserve a spot in your three sessions.
Registration details:
- You can join the waitlist to be notified of openings due to cancellations.
- We reserve the right to offer players another date if our minimum number of players per session is not met.
- Once the registration form is completed, we will confirm by email the Wednesday before your session.
- We will send a Zoom link by email prior to virtual sessions.
Meet the coaches
This program was developed by Scott Glassman, PsyD, of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). His team of facilitators make up the coaching staff.
They are:
- Graduate students in psychology
- Specially trained in this curriculum
- From a sports background, including soccer, lacrosse, rowing, boxing, field hockey, and more
Learn more about Dr. Glassman and 'A Happier U' on his website.
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