Transitioning to a New Team

A couple of weeks ago, my son, Clark Cristofoli, moved from Ohio to South Dakota. Clark's a junior in high school and will be playing for the Sioux Falls Stampede hockey team in the USHL (United States Hockey League) this season. Upon arriving in Sioux Falls, I realized how daunting the transition to a new team can be. Sure, the move alone was daunting, but the new team was Clark's biggest concern. And I completely forgot to keep these details in mind as we treked across the country.

So...my advice comes in hindsight of my mistakes. Some kids transition easily to a new team and others worry and struggle. You, as the parent, can and should help smooth your child's transition. Here are a few tips:

• Talk with the coach before the first practice. If you're aware of your child's fears or anxiety ahead of time, tell the coach so he can help your child with the transition.
• Encourage low expectations. Even though your child might be quite skilled at a sport, there's always another athlete who's more skilled.
• Encourage preseason physical activity. Your child should run, walk, swim, strength train, or any type of appropriate activity to help him get in shape. This does not have to be organized training - a simple game of ghosts in the graveyard, hide and seek, or tag will do. Any type of exercise helps build and condition muscles. Your child will in turn arrive at the first practice in decent shape and that will likely result in a more confident athlete.
• Carpool to the first practice. If there's a player who lives nearby, arrange a carpool. When your child arrives at practice with another team member, she'll take comfort in knowing someone ahead of time.
• Throw a preseason party. This can be as simple as a potluck dinner at a park. If you arrange for the team, parents, and coaches to meet in a social setting before the first practice, kids will be more relaxed and they will have the comfort of their parents nearby. The bonus is that you'll get to know the coaches better too!

The good news is that kids are resilient - if you make mistakes, you can always adjust your approach and help your child.

What steps have you taken to help your child's transition to a new team?

-Kim

Early Knee Repair Benefits Youth Athletes

A new study confirms benefits to surgically repairing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries within twelve weeks for athletes aged fourteen and under. The study was authored by Theodore Ganley, M.D., director of sports medicine for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, and colleagues.

The research also revealed that treatments delayed more than twelve weeks had significant risks, including a four-fold increase in irreparable medial meniscus tears, an eleven-fold increase in lateral compartment chondral injuries, a three-fold increase in patellotrochlear injuries, and other issues.

More detailed information is available in the AOSSM press release.

I've spent some time co-writing with Dr. Ganley over the last six months and I'm here to tell you that he's truly a brilliant, top-notch expert in pediatric sports medicine. That said, I can verify that he (and I) strongly encourage injury prevention efforts.

For optimal health, please take steps to help your child prevent injuries--it's in your child's best interest. Knee injuries are serious and can often be prevented. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a fantastic online resource. The web site includes sports tips, TEAM exercises, an Athletic Health Handbook, and other information under the "Resources" tab. Check it out and continue to responsibly guide your child athlete.

Time for a Vacation

Sports, sports, and more sports. Finding time for a vacation is almost impossible. You run from one game to the next, a private lesson, a camp, and then a skills clinic. How could you possibly leave town?

Take the time. Make the time. Go on a vacation and have some fun.

I know...Suzie can't miss her gymnastics practice or Joey will get cut from his football team if your family heads out of town. Unfortunately, it's inevitable that one of you or your children will have to miss something.

Do your best to choose a good time and stick to it. Get away and relax. Kids, just like you, need a break once in a while. You know the feeling--*awe*. When you're away, you don't worry about your day-to-day routine. Upon your return, you're refreshed and ready to jump back into your life with renewed energy. Kids feel the same way.

When you're deciding on the best time to get away, be sure to consider the following:

• Don't leave at the beginning of the season. Kids are just starting to get in shape. If your child misses the gradual steps towards getting in shape, he risks injury by working out too hard upon his return.
  
• Try not to leave during important tryouts. Tryouts are important for children and coaches. Your child will feel more comfortable and true part of the team if he earns a spot just like everyone else.
  
• Try not to leave for a long period of time during season. You signed your child up for a team and he's committed. If it's possible to wait until the season ends, wait.
  
• Let your child help you choose a time. Your child might resist the idea of leaving town because of love of the game, fear of being punished by a coach upon return, or simply fear of the unknown. By involving her with the decision making, she might feel more comfortable with the ultimate decision.
  

Remember to enjoy your time away!

Youth Coaches: Please Stand While Coaching!

I've recently noticed a few coaches sitting while coaching youth sports. I completely disagree with this method. Instead of explaining the negatives, I share with you here a few reasons why I encourage coaches to stand:

1) A coach who stands appears enthusiastic. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. Trust me, it can be catching. Part of being a coach is having enthusiasm for the game.

2) It's easier to motivate players while standing. Have you ever seen a hockey coach (at any level) sit on the bench while coaching? How about an NBA or NFL coach? No way! Sure, your young child is not a pro player, but I certainly hope that if he's part of a team at any age, you would want him to be motivated in some manner.

3) Standing actually helps a coach to "coach" the kids. Yes, I mean "coach" the kids--talk to them, explain what they're doing right or wrong or what they should be doing. This helps kids to learn and improve.

I beg you to encourage your child's coach to stand. Trust me. I strongly believe it's in your child's best interest. If you disagree with this post, please let me know - I'd love to hear from you.

Kim

The "Supersize" Reward...

Score a goal and you'll get a reward... I'm certain that most of you have offered a reward to your child or heard another parent offer a reward for scoring goals. In my opinion, this method of motivation can be helpful.

Keep in mind that rewarding a child with expensive gifts or dishing or large amounts of money is certainly not what I'm talking about. What I'm suggesting is just offering a little motivation--sort of like paying a child an allowance for completing chores. For scoring goals, assisting on a goal, or efforts to make good passes, you can offer fun rewards (and not neccessarily monetary) such as the following:

• ice cream after the game
• pizza celebration
• afternoon at the zoo
• movie rental
• time at the park with dad

Earlier this week, I heard a parent offer her daughter an order of french fries if she worked hard and scored a goal in the soccer game. Well, the player scored two goals so her mom made that a "supersize" order of fries. Simple, yet fun!

Be creative. Look for ways to motivate your child in sports, just like you motivate him to do homework or to participate in other activities. Ultimately, you want a well-rounded child, and if that takes a little motivation with rewards, so be it.

-Kim