Athlete’s Decision Framework

Athlete Roadmap — Decision Framework

Each stage uses the same structure so athletes and parents learn how to think, not just what to choose.

 

1️⃣ Beginner (9 & Under)

Focus: Entry, Enjoyment, Environment

Decision 1: Recreational vs. Competitive

• Options: Local rec | Entry-level competitive
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Fun & flexibility vs. structure & pressure
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Confusion, mismatched expectations
  
  
• Consulting Output: Placement recommendation
  
  

Decision 2: Single Sport vs. Multi-Sport

• Options: Sample sports | Early specialization
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Athletic base vs. early skill depth
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Burnout or delayed coordination
  
  
• Consulting Output: Seasonal sport map
  
  

Decision 3: Practice Frequency

• Options: 1x/week | 2–3x/week
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Low demand vs. habit formation
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Skill stagnation
  
  
• Consulting Output: Weekly activity plan
  
  

Decision 4: Seasonal vs. Year-Round Play

• Options: Seasonal leagues | Year-round exposure
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Recovery vs. repetition
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Overuse or underdevelopment
  
  
• Consulting Output: Annual calendar
  
  

Decision 5: Parental Investment Level

• Options: Time | Money | Balanced
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Convenience vs. opportunity
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Misaligned expectations
  
  
• Consulting Output: Parent commitment agreement
  
  

2️⃣ Advanced (Ages 10–14)

Focus: Development, Structure, Early Exposure

Decision 1: Local Club vs. Travel Club

• Options: Community club | Regional travel
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Cost vs. competition quality
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Plateau or overreach
  
  
• Consulting Output: Club comparison matrix
  
  

Decision 2: Level of Travel

• Options: Day trips | Multi-day tournaments
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Exposure vs. fatigue
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Missed competition tier
  
  
• Consulting Output: Travel load limits
  
  

Decision 3: Primary Sport Selection

• Options: 1 primary + others | Full focus
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Versatility vs. mastery
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Conflicted development
  
  
• Consulting Output: Sport priority ranking
  
  

Decision 4: Supplemental Training

• Options: Team-only | Private + strength
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Cost vs. acceleration
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Physical gap widens
  
  
• Consulting Output: Training stack plan
  
  

Decision 5: Competition Tier

• Options: Play down | Play equal | Play up
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Confidence vs. challenge
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: False evaluation of ability
  
  
• Consulting Output: Competition placement strategy
  
  

3️⃣ Elite (High School)

Focus: Recruiting, Visibility, Positioning

Decision 1: High-Level Travel / Circuit Choice

• Options: Local elite | National circuit | Prep academy
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Exposure vs. role certainty
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Missed recruiting windows
  
  
• Consulting Output: Exposure pathway map
  
  

Decision 2: Recruiting Strategy

• Options: Coach-led | Self-led | Advisor-led
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Control vs. expertise
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Passive recruiting
  
  
• Consulting Output: Recruiting action plan
  
  

Decision 3: Exposure Platforms

• Options: Camps | Showcases | Film | Combines
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Cost vs. ROI
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Invisibility
  
  
• Consulting Output: Exposure budget & calendar
  
  

Decision 4: Academic Pathway

• Options: NCAA | NAIA | JUCO | Prep year
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Timeline vs. opportunity
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Eligibility issues
  
  
• Consulting Output: Academic eligibility tracker
  
  

Decision 5: Commitment Decision

• Options: Wait | Commit | Reclass | Transfer later
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Security vs. upside
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Roster spots close
  
  
• Consulting Output: Commitment decision memo
  
  

4️⃣ Professional (College / 18+)

Focus: Ownership, Monetization, Longevity

Decision 1: Schedule Ownership

• Options: Reactive | Structured | Optimized
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Freedom vs. discipline
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Burnout or underperformance
  
  
• Consulting Output: Weekly operating schedule
  
  

Decision 2: NIL / Sponsorship Strategy

• Options: Opportunistic | Strategic | Agency-led
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Short-term cash vs. brand value
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Lost earning years
  
  
• Consulting Output: NIL brand framework
  
  

Decision 3: Representation

• Options: None | Agent | Advisor team
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Cost vs. leverage
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Bad contracts
  
  
• Consulting Output: Representation checklist
  
  

Decision 4: Financial Strategy

• Options: Spend | Save | Invest | Build businesses
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Lifestyle vs. longevity
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Financial instability
  
  
• Consulting Output: Athlete financial map
  
  

Decision 5: Transition Planning

• Options: Pro path | International | Career pivot
  
  
• Tradeoffs: Risk vs. stability
  
  
• Risk if Delayed: Identity crisis post-sport
  
  
• Consulting Output: Post-sport transition plan