Writing on the Bus showcases the what, how, and why of using athletic team notebooks and journals. The book guides coaches and athletes, from elementary school through college, in analyzing games while thinking deeply about motivation, goal setting, and communication in order to optimize performance. Filled with lesson plans, writing activities, and step-by-step guidance, Writing on the Bus includes stories and examples from teams and athletes at all levels of sport. This book will work well as a supplemental text for college courses in the fields of coaching, kinesiology, and physical education. " Team notebooks create a different way for players to learn." -Mike Keller, Head Coach, University of Southern Maine Men's Soccer "I like to have my student-athletes write about their experiences, be it about practice, a game, or even an injury. Writing helps them to analyze their play, thought processes, and feelings. It brings more meaning to what they are experiencing. Writing ... is a reminder of what we all are playing for and working towards." -Coach Nicole Moore, Stetson University "I like free writing... it's a meditation, trying to open up the mind and go for it." -David Chamberlain, Nor/Am SuperTour Cross-Country Ski Champion "Writing provides another avenue for strengthening the player/coach relationship." -Brian Bold, Head Coach, Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Soccer "No one likes skiing with a cluttered mind, so put it on paper and free some space." -Carter Robertson, Alpine Ski Racer «If this book did nothing else other than lay out […] opportunities for reflective writing, it would be a useful guide for coaches. But the book is more than a set of suggested practices; it is filled with examples of Richard Kent and other coaches interacting with their athletes. We get excerpts from the writing of coaches at all levels, and from athletes - high school soccer players to world class skiers. […] Through his own example, Kent teaches us how to read this writing - generously, thoughtfully, learning from the experiences of his athletes, even appreciating their goofy humor. He has the ability to pull nuggets of insight from writing that a less alert and sympathetic reader would miss. He is the kind of teacher who makes you feel smart.» (Thomas Newkirk, University of New Hampshire, from the Foreword) «Leading us outdoors and onto the playing field, Richard Kent offers a systematic approach to writing that has already assisted coaches to cultivate athletes’ reflection, shared consciousness, and improved performance. What an athlete needs, he makes clear, is writing.» (Julie Cheville, Illinois State University, Author of ‘Minding the Body: What Student Athletes Know about Learning’) «‘Writing on the Bus’ illuminates a largely hidden side of coaching and athletics, one where writing is increasingly a part of the cultural norms for coaches, individual athletes, and entire teams. Richard Kent brings the powerful combination of sport and writing to life throughout the book by smartly weaving the literacy production of athletes into the discussion. Educators and coaches alike would do well to learn from the insights provided in this book […]» (Jeff Duncan-Andrade, San Francisco State University, Author of‘ What a Coach Can Teach a Teacher’) "Writing in a journal can help clear out negative thoughts and emotions that keep you feeling stuck." -Serena Williams, U.S. Tennis Champion "Athletes should write down anything that they think is important... thoughts about their technique, goals, favorite foods... keep track of their aspirations and their passion." - Mikaela Shiffrin, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Skier "I enjoy writing in my journal when I'm sitting on the plane. I'm sureI'll go through a couple of pages and write down all the moments and experiences that I've had here in London." -Michael Phelps, U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Swimmer "Writing is a way to process what is buzzing around in my head. When I put my thoughts on paper, I begin to see things more clearly." -Samuel Morse, U.S. Ski Team "Keep a journal... This type of daily 'mental muscle' work will gradually improve your focus in practice and games." -Leif H. Smith and Todd M.Kays, sport psychologists "We write not to say what we know, but to learn, to discover, to know. Writing is thinking, exploring, finding out..." -Donald Murray, writing teacher "Writing organizes and clarifies our thoughts. Writing is how we think ourway into a subject and make it our own. Writing enables us to find out what we know--and what we don't know--about whatever we're trying to learn." -William Zinsser, writer Richard Kent professor emeritus at the University of Maine and director emeritus of the Maine Writing Project, a site of the National Writing Project. He is the author of numerous books including A Guide to Creating Student-Staffed Writing Centers, Grades 6-12 , the 2006 Book of the Year from the International Writing Centers Associ