How 2-4-1 “Shout-Outs” are changing culture
As many of you know, in every 2-4-1 program we end our sessions with shout outs. When we first introduced this practice, the intention was simple. Coaches would highlight effort, kindness, teamwork, and all the things that matter far more than winning or making the perfect play. Over time, something beautiful happened. Shout outs evolved into something deeper. They became gratitude circles.
As Executive Director of a model that now reaches kids across the globe, I get to step into programs and see young people publicly practicing gratitude. It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Kids who might have walked into the gym carrying stress or worry leave those circles feeling seen and feeling heard. Coaches leave feeling affirmed that what they do each day matters.
There is now a vast body of research showing that gratitude improves mental health, builds resilience, and strengthens relationships. Studies from the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley have found that regular gratitude practice can reduce stress by up to 28 percent and increase feelings of optimism and connection. Gratitude helps the brain shift attention from what is missing to what is present, which is a powerful protective factor for well-being.
Sports rarely create space for this. Too often the focus is on what can drain our spirits. Playing time. Pressure to win. Fear of making a mistake. Worrying about who gets the spotlight. A simple shift at the end of every session transforms that entire narrative. When a child pauses to thank a teammate for including them or recognizes a coach for helping them try something new, the culture changes. The team becomes more connected. Confidence grows. The joy of sport returns.
Imagine if every youth sports competition across the country ended with this vibe. Imagine if every child left the field or court hearing something positive about who they are as a human being. It may sound small or even a little corny, but it is not. Gratitude is a game changer.
I remind myself of this on the days when I feel worn down, when another grant portal tests my patience, or when my inbox feels never ending. Refocusing from what is missing to what is already here resets everything. One of my favorite lines in all of music comes from Sheryl Crow in Soak Up the Sun: “It’s not having what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got.” Those are words to live by.
In 2-4-1 programs we practice that shift every day with kids. It is a gift we give them, but it is also a gift they give back to us. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
About Steve Boyle
Steve Boyle is a connector, collaborator, and tireless advocate for making youth sports more playful, inclusive, and developmentally sound. As Executive Director of 2-4-1 CARE, Inc. and Co-Founder of 2-4-1 Sports, Steve has helped lead a growing movement to reshape the youth sports experience—one that puts the joy of play and the whole child at the center. Grounded in his background as a school counselor and coach, Steve co-created the award-winning TOP Self™ platform, which uses sport as a vehicle for social-emotional learning. Under his collaborative leadership, 2-4-1 has grown from a single program in West Hartford, Connecticut to a global nonprofit impacting communities across North America and Africa. Steve’s influence extends beyond his own organization. He served as Advisory Board Chair for the National Association of Physical Literacy and as Global Lead for Athletics and Physical Literacy at Whittle School & Studios, shaping programming in Washington, D.C. and Shenzhen. Whether working with local partners or global networks, Steve brings humility, heart, and a belief in the power of teamwork to everything he does.