Lace It Up

LACE IT UP: Eight Principles for Success in Team Sports is a practical, story-driven guide that teaches young athletes how leadership, attitude, discipline, and daily habits shape success-on the field and in life.

Blending relatable stories, clear mental frameworks, and actionable tools, success coach Gabriel Crespo breaks down eight essential principles every athlete needs: Leadership, Attitude, Communication, Effort, Intensity, Teamwork, Understanding, and Practice.

Written for ages 8-16, this book gives athletes a simple system for building confidence, resilience, focus, emotional control, and team impact. Each chapter includes reflection prompts, mindset challenges, and real examples that help readers apply the principles immediately-whether in training, in competition, or in the classroom.

Perfect for athletes of all levels, LACE IT UP helps young people:

- Develop discipline, mental toughness, and consistency

- Strengthen communication and teamwork

- Navigate pressure, setbacks, and adversity

- Become leaders teammates and coaches can count on

More than a sports book, it's a roadmap for character, grit, and growth.

Whether a player is a starter, a bench contributor, a first-timer, or a rising star, this book shows them how to show up, level up, and bring out the best in themselves and others.

For readers of Way of the Warrior Kid, The Mindful Athlete, and Relentless.

Perfect for youth sports programs, coaches, teams, and parents who want a shared language for growth and excellence.