Developmental vs. Professional Models of Sport
An important issue is the difference between professional and developmental models of sport. The major goals of professional sports are to entertain and to make money. Financial success is of primary importance and depends heavily on winning.
Should Boys and Girls Compete Against Each Other?
Should boys and girls compete against each other? During childhood years, only very slight sex differences in body structure and motor performance are present. On a purely physical basis, there is no reason why prepubescent boys and girls should not be on the same teams competing with and against each other. The levels of performance and the chances for causing or sustaining injury do not differ significantly between the two sexes during childhood.
Are Steroids and Creatine a Threat to Your Child?
As we have become painfully aware in recent years, the use of performance-enhancing drugs and supplements has invaded the world of sports like never before. For parents, the scary fact is that the use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone and other body-enhancing measures has begun to appear even at the youth sport level, and they are readily available to the young athlete who has the money and poor judgment to purchase them. These chemical substances are not only outlawed in sports, but many of them are known to have devastating long-term effects on the body. Lyle Alzado, a star professional football player, campaigned against the use of anabolic steroids before his death from cancer, which was attributed to steroid effects.
HEP Article: Combating Athletic Stress
Some parents unintentionally become a source of stress to young athletes. How might this occur? All parents identify with their children to some extent and thus want them to do well. Unfortunately, in some cases, the degree of identification becomes excessive, and the child becomes an extension of the parents. When this happens, parents begin to define their own self-worth in terms of their son or daughter’s successes or failures. The father who is a “frustrated jock” may seek to experience through his child the success he never knew as an athlete.
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.
