Steps for Your Child's Team's Success

The following advice was recently recommended to us:

1. We would like to gently remind parents about coaching from the stands. The players are at an age where they need to read and react to the play before them on the ice. They will become better players as they develop this skill.
2. We suggest curfew times on each specific game. If there is an early start, being in bed before 10pm the night before is probably the best for the kids.
3. We recommend that parents give coaches a say in planning events and outings for a team. Sometimes an event might be considered interferring with timing of a game, and this can lead to poor performance. When families have travelled far for a tournament, good effort is appreciated by the families, the children, and the coaches.
4. We suggest pre game arrival times and provide a countdown until the start of game to help the kids establish appropriate habits and start to focus. (Children need to prepare and get focused before a game.)
5. Establish a player oath saying something to the effect of: “I will always perform as best as I can, and I will always expect that my teammate will perform the best that they can”. Every child will make mistakes – kids getting down on kids is an unfortunate area of child development that will occur. Our responsibility as the adult is to set the example in our homes (or on the car ride home) as well as be present when situations like this are likely to occur. (After games: if an adult is present, the likelihood of a child putting down another child is less likely to occur. But in the event it does occur the adult can redirect the conversation back to the oath established.
6. Many teams have a lot of great qualities within the players and families. Meshing those qualities for a positive result is extremely tough. Parents and players need to trust and respect each other and the coaches.

Ultimately, we want our children to have success in athletics and success in life. Use this advice to guide them towards success.

Be responsible sports parents...

Are you a responsible sports parent? Do you cheer for your team? Do you encourage the team to keep trying even when they're behind? Are you friendly while sitting in the stands?

At a tournament last weekend, many parents were screaming so loud it was embarrassing for the team. They were arguing with other parents and yelling at the players. Is this good for our children, not to mention the team?

Think about your child. They're out there trying their hardest, and at the same time they're cringing because their mom or dad are yelling so loudly that no one is watching the game anymore.

How do you think they feel? Is this motivating them to do better or try harder?If you want to yell, don't yell at your child. Yell words of encouragement and support. Yell for your team and for your child. Here's a few examples:

• Good teamwork!
• Keep trying!
• Way to work hard!
• Nice passing!
• Good block!

Next time you want to yell, try a nice comment. Your child and coaches will appreciate it!