Built with care for young athletes.
We know who's using this. Sports IQ is built with privacy and safety protections for minors and college athletes, and we're honest about what it is and isn't.
Our protections
Private by default
Check-ins and journal entries stay between the player and Sports IQ. Parents and coaches see progress, never private chats.
Parent consent under 18
Players under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent before their account turns on. As part of that approval, the parent or guardian gives a mobile number for safety text alerts. Parents stay informed.
No accounts under 13 at launch
Sports IQ is for high school, club and college players. We won't open accounts for kids under 13 at launch.
Coach posts need approval
Nothing goes to a team chat unless a coach approves it. Private check-ins are never posted.
Only the data we need
We collect what's needed to run Sports IQ and nothing more. Parents can ask us to delete their child's data.
No ads to minors
We don't show ads to players under 18 or sell their data.
Film stays with the team
Team film is team-only, with no public links, and can be deleted on request. Planned
No third-party passwords
We never ask coaches, players or parents for passwords to other apps.
Real people when it matters
If something serious comes up, Sports IQ is designed to show 988 and 911 right away and, at the same moment, alert a licensed psychologist to review and reach out and, for players under 18, text a parent or guardian. Safety concerns follow a written escalation plan reviewed and signed off by our licensed psychologist partner. Planned See the red-flag safety flow ↓
Backed by a licensed psychologist
Sports IQ is built and backed by a licensed psychologist so every drill and routine is grounded in sound sports psychology.
Three levels of support
Most days, a player just needs a rep. Some days, they need more. Sports IQ is built in three levels.
The Sports IQ app
Everyday mental performance coaching, GameIQ, film and playbook. Free for coaches, athletes and parents, and safety help (988 and 911) is always free. See pricing →
The red-flag safety net Planned
988 and 911 right away, every time. At the same moment, a licensed psychologist is alerted to review and reach out and, for players under 18, a parent or guardian gets a text. Included for everyone, free. See the flow ↓
A real sports psychologist Planned
Want to talk with a licensed sports psychologist one-on-one or in person? For additional counseling or in-person counseling, contact support. See how it works ↓
The red-flag safety flow
In crisis or thinking about hurting yourself? Call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911. These always show first in the chat, every time, and are always free.
Planned Designed to be reviewed and signed off by our licensed psychologist partner before launch.
Sometimes what a player shares isn't about basketball. If a conversation sounds harmful to a player's mental health or wellbeing, or sounds like an emergency, here's what happens:
- 988 and 911 appear in the chat right away, every time. Sports IQ stops coaching and shares crisis resources: call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and call 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. It also encourages the player to reach a trusted adult now.
- At the same moment, we text the parent or guardian and alert a licensed psychologist. For athletes under 18, we text the parent or guardian at the mobile number they gave at sign-up. The parent text says there's a concern and what to do next; it doesn't share the chat. A licensed psychologist on the Sports IQ team or partner network is alerted at the same time to review and reach out.
For teens: If something you share sounds like you might be in danger or really struggling, we'll let your parent or guardian know so you're not alone with it.
Please read this part. Sports IQ is not watched by a person 24/7, and it's not an emergency service. The app won't catch every sign, so 988 and 911 always come first. If you or someone you know is in danger, don't wait for the app. Call 911.
How this fits with privacy. Day to day, parents and coaches don't read private chats. Safety is the exception: when a conversation sounds harmful or like an emergency, the steps above happen so a player gets help. Even then, the parent text says there's a concern and what to do next, not what was said. Coaches never see private chats, even then.
What Sports IQ is and isn't
Sports IQ is
- A sports psychology and mental performance tool built for basketball players
- A practice partner for your mental game, there whenever you need a rep
- A place to build routines, reflect after games and track your goals
- Built and backed by a licensed psychologist
Sports IQ isn't
- A licensed psychologist
- Clinical treatment or a diagnosis
- Crisis care or an emergency service
- A replacement for in-person care from a licensed professional
When to see a licensed professional
Sports IQ is built for the mental side of the game. Some things deserve a real person. Reach out to a licensed professional, your doctor or a trusted adult if you notice:
- Anxiety or low mood that sticks around for weeks
- Trouble sleeping or eating, or big changes in either
- Any thoughts of hurting yourself
- Struggles that are spilling into school, home or your friendships
- Bullying, online or in person, that won't stop
Talk to a real sports psychologist
Level 3 support. Sometimes you want a real person. Sports IQ isn't a licensed psychologist, so we're building a network of licensed sports psychologists who understand athletes. Planned
How it works Planned
For additional counseling or in-person counseling, contact support.
Your Sports IQ chats stay private unless you choose to share them.
The network opens soon. Join our newsletter and we'll reach out.
For psychologists
Are you a licensed psychologist who works with athletes? We're building our network now. Planned
- Join the network. Work with club, high school and college athletes who want more than the app.
- Review the escalation plan. Help shape and sign off on how the red-flag safety flow works, including follow-up timing and the parent text alert for minors.
- Families who want more. Families who want additional or in-person counseling contact Sports IQ support, and we refer them to you.
- Stay independent. You set your own schedule and practice. Sports IQ refers players and families to you.
For each group
Teenagers
What you write is yours. Your coach and parents don't see your chats. If you tell Sports IQ you might be in danger, it will share crisis help right away and encourage you to reach a trusted adult. If something you share sounds like you might be in danger or really struggling, we'll let your parent or guardian know so you're not alone with it, and a licensed psychologist will check in with you. Planned
Parents
You give consent for players under 18, and you can see progress and streaks. You won't see private chats. That privacy is what lets teens be honest, which is where growth starts. You'll give a mobile number when you approve your athlete's account. If a conversation sounds harmful to your athlete's mental health or wellbeing, or like an emergency, we'll text you there right away. The text says there's a concern and what to do next; it doesn't share the chat. Planned You can ask us to delete your child's data.
Coaches
You'll see completed drills and viewed film, not private chats. Every post needs your approval. You'll never be asked for your team chat passwords.
Clubs
Admins manage teams, coaches and billing without access to player chats.
Questions, answered.
Is Sports IQ counseling or clinical care?
No. Sports IQ is mental performance coaching grounded in sports psychology. It isn't clinical care, a diagnosis or crisis care.
What happens if my athlete says something worrying?
988 and 911 appear in the chat right away, every time. At the same moment, for athletes under 18, we text the parent or guardian at the number they gave at sign-up, and a licensed psychologist is alerted to review and reach out. The parent text says there's a concern and what to do next; it doesn't share the chat. Planned In an emergency, call 911.
Is someone watching the app 24/7?
No. Sports IQ isn't monitored by a person around the clock, and it isn't an emergency service. That's why 988 and 911 always come first.
Will the app catch every warning sign?
No tool can promise that. The safety net is a backup, not a replacement for trusted adults, 988 or 911.
Can I read my child's chats?
Not by default. Parents see progress, not private chats. If a conversation sounds harmful or like an emergency, you'll get a text saying there's a concern and what to do next, but not the chat itself.
What makes Sports IQ text a parent?
For athletes under 18: any conversation that sounds harmful to the athlete's mental health or wellbeing, or sounds like an emergency. Not only depression or thoughts of suicide. 988 and 911 still show in the chat first, every time. Planned
Why do players under 18 need parent consent?
Because parents should know what their kids are using and agree to it.
Can I see a real sports psychologist?
Yes, soon. We're building a network of licensed sports psychologists. Planned For additional counseling or in-person counseling, contact support.
Does the safety net cost extra?
No. The red-flag safety net is included for everyone, free. Planned
Can younger kids use Sports IQ?
Not at launch. Accounts are for players 13 and up.
Do you sell data or show ads?
We don't sell player data, and we don't show ads to players under 18.
Important: Sports IQ's AI coaching support is not a substitute for in-person medical or mental health care. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in danger, contact local emergency services or a crisis line right away. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Be first on the court.
Olivia
Olivia is an AI agent, backed by a licensed psychologist. She's not a substitute for professional care. In a crisis, call or text 988.