Why You Should Encourage Multiple Sports
Michael Jordan played baseball in high school and even left the NBA briefly to pursue a baseball career. Joe Nieuwendyk, MVP of the 1999 Stanley Cup NHL championship, was an all-star junior lacrosse player. Troy Aikman, three time Superbowl quarterback, played football, basketball and baseball while growing up and only began focusing on football in high school. Cal Ripkin, Jr., the legendary Iron Man of baseball, played multiple sports in high school and did not specialize in baseball until he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. In professional sports, there are numerous examples of players who did not specialize until much later in their youth development. In fact, early specialization actually decreases the chances of later sports success.
What NOT to Do After a Sport Injury
As the playoffs begin, players prepare for more intense practices and games. If a player gets hurt, here are some important “don’ts” to emphasize to a young athlete:
Helping Your Marriage Survive Youth Sports
Marital bliss doesn’t just happen automatically — it comes from actively working at it. How do youth sports fit in with family life? They can be an important element in family growth and solidarity. Any time parents share significant experiences with their children, it can help build stronger family ties. Stronger bonds can be forged not only between parents and children but also between the parents themselves. However, youth sports can be a double-edged sword, affecting husband-wife relationships in a positive or a negative way. Couples need to be aware of this fact and to be prepared to counteract the potential pitfalls. When you become a youth sport parent, be aware of what is likely to be required and how much time and effort you are willing to devote.
Part 2: Tips for Facilitating High Performance in Hockey
I recently asked several high-caliber collegiate players to offer their tips on how parent and coach support helped them reach their current level of play. The result is this multi-part column of practical tips straight from the stars themselves. Current University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog, 2008 WCHA Co-Rookie of the Year, 2007-2008 USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year, and USHL Rookie of the Year Jack Connolly offers some of the things his parents did to facilitate his reaching the collegiate level of hockey. Read more
Tips for Facilitating High Performance in Hockey
The following is an article from Jim Winges and Sarah Erickson that includes tips for facilitating high performance and advancement in hockey.
How Should You Deal with Sport Officials?
Officials are fallible human beings, just like all the athletes, coaches, and spectators. Don’t demand that they be “perfect.” It is as American as apple pie to boo and criticize judgments made by officials. But such behavior has no place in youth sports. The officials are honestly trying to do their best. But they are human, and they do make mistakes. Booing their decisions will not change the outcome or improve the situation in any way. Moreover, parents who “get on” officials provide very poor models for their children, and such behavior can prove highly embarrassing to the young athlete.
3 Enlightening Perspectives About HEP
What does HEP mean to an association? It depends on who you ask and what part of HEP we are discussing. The following article, provides input from a parent and coach of the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association as well as insight from the ACE/HEP Coordinator.
Helping Your Child Cope with Losses
Children differ a great deal in their reactions to a loss. Some may be barely affected or may forget the loss almost immediately. Others will be virtually devastated and may be low-spirited for days. Avoid the temptation to deny or distort what the child is feeling. If your daughter has struck out three times and made an error that lost the game, she does not want to hear, “You did great.” She knows she didn’t, and your attempts to comfort her may well come through as a lack of understanding about how she feels. Likewise, it is not very helpful to tell a child that “it doesn’t matter.” The fact is that at that moment it does matter a great deal!
Top 4 Ways Coaches Harm Goaltenders’ Mental Game
The following article from Justin Johnson, USA Hockey’s Minnesota District Associate Goalie Coach-in-Chief, outlines some of the common pitfalls coaches have when working with goalies.
What Should I Do If My Child Wants to Quit Hockey?
There are alarming statistics surrounding the number of children who permanently drop out of youth sports. The following article provides advice on how to handle this situation if your child wants to quit.
