When audiences watch the hit Star Wars television series The Mandalorian or look ahead to the upcoming feature film The Mandalorian and Grogu, the armored bounty hunter at the center of the story often embodies a fierce dedication to protection, loyalty, and a quiet heart of gold. For parents navigating the unpredictable terrain of youth sports, drawing parallels between Mando’s protective instincts and the trials of the soccer sideline is not entirely far-fetched. In a very literal sense, the physical movement and presence on screen are brought to life by an actor who has spent more than two decades immersed in the world of youth athletics.
Brendan Wayne, the actor who has served as the body double and physical performer for The Mandalorian since 2019, balances his high-profile Hollywood career with a long-standing passion for coaching. Alongside the launch of his new podcast, Hats & Helmets, Wayne currently coaches the Lady Lancers soccer team at Grant High School in California, drawing on 23 years of experience on the pitch and the sidelines.
"I’ve played sports my whole life," Wayne explains. "It’s one of the greatest things a kid can learn to do."
As the summer season winds down and the school year begins, Wayne shared his core principles as a veteran youth sports coach. While millions recognize him for his work alongside the character affectionately known as Baby Yoda, his insights into youth athletics reveal a deeply thoughtful educator who understands the physical and emotional development of young athletes. His advice addresses sports parents, youth coaches, and anyone looking to understand how athletics can benefit children of all backgrounds.
Fail Together, Succeed Together
Wayne’s overarching coaching philosophy is deliberately divorced from an obsession with winning. Instead, he places the highest value on the concept of collective experience and togetherness. For Wayne, the true test of a team lies in how its members navigate both triumphs and setbacks as a unified group rather than as a collection of individual competitors.
"I want my kids to fail together. I want them to succeed together. I want them to make mistakes in front of their friends and have to speak to it and live through it," Wayne says. "If I can try to simplify it, my philosophy is to provide a competitive strength-building environment where we are allowed to fail to succeed."
Wayne also highlights the importance of fostering a collaborative environment specifically for female athletes, noting a distinct effort to counter historical patterns of division or unhealthy internal competition among girls in sports. He aims to cultivate the same camaraderie he experienced growing up with his own friends, creating a genuine team atmosphere where athletes can find mutual support.
If You Can’t Stop Your Sideline Coaching, Become a Ref
The phenomenon of the overly vocal sideline parent is a familiar challenge in youth sports. When a game intensifies, spectators often find it difficult to contain their reactions, occasionally crossing the line into verbal altercations with referees or coaches. Wayne offers a remarkably direct perspective on how parents should manage these impulses.
"Go home. I mean, if you can’t get it together, go home," Wayne states. "I’ve said this to some parents, and I’ve been let go or I’ve lost players. But I’ve also gained others who have sometimes come back and apologized after the moment passes."
While acknowledging that parental pride and investment in a child’s success are natural, Wayne emphasizes that this support should focus on the child’s experience rather than the parent’s unfulfilled ambitions or rigid definitions of achievement. For parents who possess a deep understanding of the rules and mechanics of the game, Wayne suggests channeling that energy back into the community in a productive way.
"And if you know the game, go learn to coach it. Or the best one is go become a ref. We need refs, and we need more community," he says. "I’ve reffed for 13 years. It’s terrible. People are terrible, but the highs are amazing when that kid smiles at you or whatever it is, the game when it’s going right, man, it’s great."
When the Ball Is in Play, It’s Time to Cheer — Not Coach
Even from his position as a coach, Wayne maintains a strict boundary regarding communication during active play. He believes that genuine instruction must happen prior to the opening whistle, leaving players free to make their own decisions on the field without a constant stream of commands from the sidelines.
"If the ball’s in play in an area, you just let them go. If Joni’s over there and she’s trying to defend somebody and I’m yelling from the sideline, like, ‘Hey, look at me,’ now I’m beat," Wayne explains. "You’ve got to let them know how much you love them. I always tell them: ‘I love watching you play. Keep it going.’ It’s not saying ‘run faster.’ It’s not that."
Figure Out Why Your Kid Might Want to Quit
Youth sports participation can sometimes plateau or decline when children lose interest or begin to feel disconnected from their teams. When faced with a child who wants to walk away, Wayne advises parents and coaches to look beyond the surface and evaluate the broader context of the athletic experience rather than simply accepting a sudden departure.
"When they start to fade away, I think you, as a parent, better take a real good inventory of why. Is it the coaches?" Wayne asks. "It breaks my heart to see kids who stop playing because their coaches are too unconnected. Those coaches might be too connected to themselves and their record. But are they quitting because they feel like they’re not good enough? If that’s the case, you can make it clear that you love them no matter what they do."
Multiple Sports Are Great
Maintaining the physical endurance required to wear heavy Mandalorian armor demands rigorous physical preparation, giving Wayne a unique appreciation for overall bodily conditioning. Applying this perspective to youth athletics, he advocates for a diversified approach to physical development that helps protect growing bodies from repetitive strain.
"First, we’ve got to normalize multiple sports again. We’re seeing catastrophic injuries on a huge level because we’re running kids in the same sport year-round with coaches who don’t have any idea how to fully develop a physical body," Wayne warns.
He encourages parents to expose children to a variety of athletic disciplines and movement patterns to build comprehensive physical resilience, flexibility, and overall health without risking overuse injuries.
Remember, This Is Supposed to Be Fun
Amidst the competitive pressures that frequently characterize modern youth sports, Wayne emphasizes that the vast majority of young participants are playing for enjoyment and personal growth rather than professional aspirations. When players show visible frustration on the field, his approach is often designed to reset their perspective and restore the joy of the game.
"Sometimes, I just yell out: ‘Hey, laugh! This is soccer! Nobody’s paying you today!’" Wayne says. "This is supposed to be fun."
Brendan Wayne can be seen in The Mandalorian and Grogu, and he continues to share his insights on his podcast, Hats & Helmets.