by admin | May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
As parents, your job is to love your kids and try to provide the best for them. When it comes to youth sports, however, too many parents seem to lose all notion of what is best for their kids. It is a telling sign that virtually every youth sports league in the country has enacted some measure to curb violence and negative behavior by parents. Some leagues have even gone so far as to not let parents utter a single word during the game, calling it Silent Saturdays. As enticing as it may seem to some league administrators, taking the parents out of youth sports is not the best solution to the problem. Parents have an important role to play, and the role that the parent does play can impact a child’s interest and enthusiasm for sport for years to come. Studies have shown a positive relationship between parents who are involved with their child’s sporting activities and the child’s enjoyment of the activity, participation in physical activities and continued participation in youth sports (1). That is to say the right type of parental involvement can help a child to have a positive youth sports experience that motivates him or her to want to continue playing sports. Sean Cumming and Martha Ewing of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports say the role of the parents in youth sports is to provide support for your child, both emotionally and financially, without becoming over-involved to the point of being fanatical (1). Providing the proper emotional support can be difficult in an adult society that emphasizes winning, or the product...
by admin | May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Competitive Edge by Dr. Jeffrey Brown Harvard clinical and sport psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Brown understands the obsession to beat the competition. Learning firsthand in his private practice from patients struggling with power and position in the workplace to runners he works with on the Boston Marathon route, Dr. Brown recognizes that the need to win out over others and the temptation to compromise values is a reality. In The Competitive Edge, Dr. Brown helps the reader learn how to be a winner without compromising character. Seven principles for success and a chapter on performance-enhancing strategies make The Competitive Edge a practical choice for those wanting to be their best on or off the court. The Competitive Edge offers a timely, effective message and should be in the library of every dedicated competitor, parent, or coach. Listen to Dr. Brown and read the first chapter at www.drjeffbrown.com. Buy the Competitive Edge here Becoming a True Champion: Achieving Athletic Excellence Written by Kirk Mango for aspiring athletes. Whether you play team sports like basketball, baseball, volleyball, football, softball, or soccer, compete in individual sports like tennis, wrestling, gymnastics, track, or swimming; whether you are looking to reach certain athletic goals, be inspired, compete at higher levels, become the best you can be, or just improve in your sport, Becoming a True Champion: Achieving Athletic Excellence From the Inside Out addresses sports training in all of these and more. Check out Kirk’s blog at becomingatruechampion.blogspot.com Buy Becoming a True Champion: Achieving Athletic Excellence From the Inside Out Here How to Win at Sports Parenting: Maximizing the Sports Experience for You and...
by admin | May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
Youth Sports Links for Parents and Coaches Youth Sports Organizations Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) – This site is a must visit for all parents, coaches and league administrators. Check out their report card on youth sports. You might be shocked at what you see. 2005 National Youth Sports Report Card (CTSA) 2005 Youth Sports Community Report Card for Parents (CTSA) National Youth Sports Safety Foundation – The NYSSF is dedicated to the reduction and revention of youth sports injuries. Check out this website for ways to promote youth sports safety, publications, hot topics and more. National Council of Youth Sports – The NCYS is an organization that promotes participation by all youth in physical activities. Their website offers the Youth Sports Today free newsletter, a Certified Sports Administrator course, ways to get involved in government relations through their Call to Action issues, and more. Youth Sports Research Council – The YSRC was founded by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and offers clinics for coaches, parents and administrators. The website offers links to information on legal and administrative issues in youth sports, as well as provides general information on a wide variety of topics. National Association for Sports and Physical Education – NASPE is a professional organization that offers a wide variety of resources for coaches and PE teachers. NASPE also offers workshops, conferences, and a discussion forum. National Alliance for Youth Sports – NAYS “is America’s leading advocate for positive and safe sports and activities for children.” They offer programs for parents, coaches, administrators and volunteers as well as links to resources on youth sports. The Institute for...
by admin | May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
Check out These Articles from The Educated Sports Parent for Parents The Role of the Sport Parent Parents: How’s Your Behavior? The Importance of Parental Involvement in Youth Sports When Dad or Mom is the Coach Further Information on Other Sites Questions Parents Should Ask – from Kids Sports Network National Summit on Raising Community Standards in Children’s Sports – by National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) My Sports Story: Segner Field – A moving account by Mike Hall of the impact parent-coaches can have on their children. Books Parents May Find Useful Just Let the Kids Play: How to Stop Other Adults from Ruining Your Child’s Fun and Success in Youth Sports by Bigelow, B., Moroney, T. & Hall, L. The Cheers and the Tears: A Healthy Alternative to the Dark Side of Youth Sports Today by Shane Murphy, Ph. D. The Sports Parenting Edge by Rick Wolff Beyond the Bleachers: The Art of Parenting Today’s Athletes by George A. Selleck and David C. Epperson The Competitive Edge by Dr. Jeffrey...
by admin | May 12, 2014 | Uncategorized
How to Create a Mastery-Oriented Environment Sport psychology research has shown that the motivational climate/environment created by the coach has a direct effect on the players’ experience. As a coach, you set the tone of the youth sports experience for your team members. Coaches are in charge of structuring the practice drills and activities. Coaches control what aspects of the sport are emphasized within their team. Coaches control how they react to discipline issues and how they handle children with differing abilities. At times the decisions that coaches sometimes make regarding these issues may end up creating an environment that places emphasis on performance outcome rather than personal achievement. This type of environment does not promote enjoyment, or positive attitudes toward fair play and moral reasoning. There are two basic motivational climates: a mastery, task-oriented climate and a competitive, ego-oriented climate. According to Cox (1) “A mastery climate is one in which athletes receive positive reinforcement from the coach when they (a) work hard, (b) demonstrate improvement, (c) help others learn through cooperation, and (d) believe that each player’s contribution is important” (p. 39). In contrast, a competitive climate is defined as “one in which athletes perceive that (a) poor performance and mistakes will be punished, (b) high-ability athletes will receive the most attention and recognition, and (c) competition between team members is encouraged by the coach” (1, p. 39) Mastery-Oriented Motivational Climate A mastery climate is one in which personal accomplishment is emphasized through the way practice is structured. Athletes are encouraged to develop a self-referenced perception of success, where their success is measured by their own personal...
