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Participating in youth sports can have a positive impact on children for years to come. In addition to the physical benefits, it can positively impact character traits as well as lifelong values. YouthTeamsports.com provides players, parents and coaches with information and guidance on player development, nutrition, training tips, product reviews, team news and more. • Twenty million to thirty million children ages 6 and older participate in youth sports, but an unfortunate 80% drop out by age 12. Coaching and the “fun factor” largely attribute to this. Children join sports to have fun. Pressure and competition need to take a back seat to the development of fundamental skills and enjoyment. • The primary focus in youth sports should be on developing skills, not just on competition. Children do not automatically acquire basic skills such as swimming, throwing, bouncing and balancing -- skills that can lead to more specific sport skills, such as throwing a baseball or dribbling a basketball. They need the time and space to practice, as well as quality instruction and positive encouragement. The bulk of youth sports, even at the middle school and high school levels, should focus on developing skill and tactics,, with a growing proportion of the time devoted to actual competition. In the early years, for example, 80 to 90 percent of the practice time should be devoted to skill development, with this decreasing to 40 to 60 percent in the later years. • Helping children find success is key to making youth sports fun. Parents and coaches should help kids set realistic goals -- such as achieving a personal best -- that do not hinge on winning or losing a match. • Children should not be treated like miniature adults. • Attempt to take as much pressure off of the children as possible. This includes pressure to win, or to "be the best." Value needs to be placed on the needs of the children not the performance. How Sports Benefits Youth Encourage a Healthy Living Making exercise a part of your child’s life teaches your child the importance of fitness. This, along with proper nutrition, plays a vital role in maintaining health. Children need physical activity every day and participation in sports helps fill this need. Studies have shown that children are spending more and more time online and engaged with video games. Sports helps them make exercise a part of their lifestyle and increases their chance of a being a healthier adult. Studies also show that children who participate in high level sports, are less likely to participate in recreational drug and alchohol use as teens. Promote Self Esteem When a child realizes that they are improving at their sport, they can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Choosing a sport your child can grow and improve in gives your child an opportunity to build self-esteem. Together, with positive reinforcement from you their parent, they will gain confidence and have a more positive view of themselves. As parents, make sure to encourage your child’s development. Youth sports are about individual player development. Learn Goal Setting I’m sure you’ll agree goal setting and success go hand in hand. Participation in sports gives your child a fun, practical way to learn about goal setting. They’ll see, experience, and learn about how goal setting works. If your child’s coach doesn’t cover goal setting, that’s okay! You as a parent can sit down with your child and set goals. By assisting your child in developing this skill, you give them a better chance at succeeding in life. Learn and Experience Teamwork How often have you read a help wanted ad where the employer wants a “team player” or a candidate that “works well with others”? Sports teach children about teamwork and about how their actions affect other people. If they can’t learn to work together with teammates while playing a sport they enjoy, how will they be able to work with co-workers
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