Meet Coach Bobby: A Whole New Way to Play in Columbia, MD

If you’ve followed along with me and my family for a while, you might know that both of my kids are into gymnastics and tumbling. We love it, its been such a great way for them to build confidence, balance and learn to love physical activity. They have been able to turn all of their energy into something productive and and something focused. But, like a lot of you moms out there, I am looking for a way to add variety, something that would expose them to other sports in a fun and low-pressure way.

That’s when I stumbled across Coach Bobby, his program is a game changer moms. He is teaching our kids to love physical activity and that you don’t also have to be the best at one thing, and that kids should be able to explore and have fun while interacting with other kids and getting in physical activity. I don’t know about you but I’ve always been a little scared putting my kids into sports, hearing all of the negative stigma that comes with it. But with Coach Bobby It’s all about finding the love for the activities at a young age.

No Lines, No Pressure, Just Play

Coach Bobby’s classes are great because it isn’t the same old “ line up and wait” routine. You know what I mean. The kind of classes where your kid waits in line for five minutes to take one swing at a ball… then gets back in line. It’s frustrating for them and for us.

Coach Bobby’s HAVE A BALL! classes are completely different. The first 10 minutes are full-on free play. The court is set up with all kinds of age-appropriate equipment, mini soccer nets, hockey sticks, soft baseballs, and your child is free to explore it all. Watching the kids light up as they get to try things on their own terms and truly explore and have fun is honestly an amazing experience.

Built by a Coach, Inspired by a Dad

What really sold me is Coach Bobby himself. He’s spent over 15 years working with athletes, from high schoolers all the way up to Team USA and the NCAA. But when he couldn’t find a class he felt good about for his own toddler, he created one. He has coached at every level of sports, and he has played himself. So he understands what our kids go through and he knows how to teach them in a positive way that doesn’t put them down.

As a parent, that means a lot to me. I can tell every detail of the class is built with love, intention, and real understanding of what toddlers actually need to thrive.

Bucket Time = The Best Time

After free play comes Bucket Time, which might be my favorite part because I can just picture these cute little kids trying so hard to throw the balls in the bucket. Coach Bobby uses buckets (yes, buckets!) to teach catching, throwing, scooping, and shooting. It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly smart. Instead of overwhelming kids with adult-sized equipment, he meets them at their level, literally and developmentally.

It’s learning through play in the most fun, approachable way. No drills. Just games they can win.

One Class, So Many Sports

As a gymnastics mom, I love the discipline and balance my kids are learning. But Coach Bobby offers something different: variety. His classes introduce kids to all kinds of sports, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, all in one session.

Even if your family isn’t super sporty, this is a great way to give your child exposure and see what clicks. And who knows? You might discover a new favorite activity you never expected.

More Than Just a Class… It’s a Movement

Right now, HAVE A BALL! classes are designed for kids 1–5 years old, but Coach Bobby’s mission is much bigger. He wants to grow this into a program that supports kids up to age 12, and ultimately helps more kids stay in sports beyond childhood.

That really speaks to me as a mom. So many kids drop out of organized sports by age 13, and I love that Coach Bobby is working to change that, starting from the very beginning.

Whether your kid is all-in from the start or still figuring it out, Coach Bobby’s program is a total game-changer. It’s not about perfect participation (it’s about creating space for curiosity, movement, and confidence to grow).

Try a Class with Coach Bobby in Columbia, MD

If you're in Columbia and looking for a toddler sports program that’s thoughtful, fun, and built with real heart, I highly recommend checking out Coach Bobby.

You can learn more or sign up here: Coach Bobby Sports. Even if your little one isn’t ready to jump in just yet, this is a program worth watching (and one I’ll be keeping in our rotation).