Last night I attended a hockey game and was surrounded by quite a few crazy fans. First, I need to tell you that I'm fairly patient and don't mind the occasional crazy fan running through the stands leading a chant or beating on a drum just for fun. However, I'm definitely not happy with fans holding up a sign that says: You suck.
Sorry, but I draw the line when it comes to lack of respect. I have an impressionable twelve-year-old daughter who naturally gets caught up in the hoopla. One glance at the sign and Breea started yelling you suck right back at the fans. Not so good. Kids learn from what they see and hear. If they hear nasty language in public places, then they tend to think that's OK. Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Another example of disrespect at last night's game was when the announcer introduced the opposing team's players. The fans again chanted you suck after every name. Even I, as an adult who realizes the difference between respect and disrespect, was offended by this behavior. This is just not nice. There are better ways to fend off the enemy.
What happened to the good old days of having wholesome (for lack of a better word) fun at the game? Where did the simple chant hey, hey, hey, goodbye... go? Or we will, we will, rock you...? We are all raising the next generation and our country's future adults. One day these kids will be in charge. Please, oh please, think before you act.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Ultimate Sports Parent Radio
Last month I appeared on Ultimate Sports Parent Radio (www.youthsportspsychology.com): Helping Young Athletes Envision Who They Want to Be (click on Sept. 15, 2010 podcast or click here to listen). Hosts and youth sports experts Lisa Cohn and Dr. Patrick Cohn focus the show on the mental game.
Lisa and Dr. Cohn are the founders of The Ultimate Sports Parent (website) and Kids' Sports Psychology (a members-only website), which also center on the mental game. Both of these sites are terrific resources for sports parents and young athletes.
I feel like the mental aspect in youth sports is often overlooked. Many of us tend to get wrapped up in training and coaching and physical aspects in athletics. Yet the truth is that the mental game can often make or break an athlete.
If you have a few minutes, click to Lisa and Dr. Cohn's sites to learn more on this topic.
Lisa and Dr. Cohn are the founders of The Ultimate Sports Parent (website) and Kids' Sports Psychology (a members-only website), which also center on the mental game. Both of these sites are terrific resources for sports parents and young athletes.
I feel like the mental aspect in youth sports is often overlooked. Many of us tend to get wrapped up in training and coaching and physical aspects in athletics. Yet the truth is that the mental game can often make or break an athlete.
If you have a few minutes, click to Lisa and Dr. Cohn's sites to learn more on this topic.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Disgusting Punishment for a 6-year-old Football Player
A father punished a 6-year-old child for not paying attention during football practice. This makes me sick. He actually made the child run over a mile. Honestly, I couldn't believe it when I heard it.
You can read the article here. According to various articles, the child was forced to run approximately 1 mile. I'm certain that if the police felt strong enough to arrest the father, then this punishment was not appropriate.
Please remember that youth sports are simply youth sports. Kids, especially at age 6, should be having fun and learning to enjoy the game.
Kim
You can read the article here. According to various articles, the child was forced to run approximately 1 mile. I'm certain that if the police felt strong enough to arrest the father, then this punishment was not appropriate.
Please remember that youth sports are simply youth sports. Kids, especially at age 6, should be having fun and learning to enjoy the game.
Kim
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Bye, Bye, LeBron! Hello ______?
You have to face it, Cleveland Cavalier fans, LeBron James is gone. Now what? You will persevere (at least I certainly hope you will).
I have a strong belief that excellence breeds excellence. Although the fact remains that LeBron is gone, there were, and still are, many other players that makeup the CAVS team.
Who were (are) they? My guess is that many of you don't know the names of the supporting players. Well, it's their turn to shine. King James is gone, so there is no longer a shadow.
This concept also applies to youth teams--there are always "stars" and supporting players. Terrific. Everyone has a role. And everyone will likely improve by playing with better players.
If your child is tired of being in the shadows of a star, please remind him or her to persevere. Teams change daily--players improve, players come and go, coaches come and go. Life goes on. Encourage your child to look towards the future because he or she might be tomorrow's star.
I have a strong belief that excellence breeds excellence. Although the fact remains that LeBron is gone, there were, and still are, many other players that makeup the CAVS team.
Who were (are) they? My guess is that many of you don't know the names of the supporting players. Well, it's their turn to shine. King James is gone, so there is no longer a shadow.
This concept also applies to youth teams--there are always "stars" and supporting players. Terrific. Everyone has a role. And everyone will likely improve by playing with better players.
If your child is tired of being in the shadows of a star, please remind him or her to persevere. Teams change daily--players improve, players come and go, coaches come and go. Life goes on. Encourage your child to look towards the future because he or she might be tomorrow's star.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
High-Level Youth Sports are Expensive...
Unfortunately, most high-level youth sport programs have extraordinary costs. And this is often a disadvantage for young athletes who can't afford proper training.
Hockey, figure skating, lacrosse, soccer, dance, swimming, and other sports can cost anywhere from $500 per year to more than $10,000 per year, including travel. This is nuts and there's not a lot you can do to avoid it.
NHL blogger Alan Adams discusses this issue further in the following article: Brian Burke: Money, Parents Hinder Youth Development.
I'm a huge believer in free-form sports. You know what I mean--playing kick ball outside in the yard or meeting at the park for a pick-up soccer or basketball game. Yet at some point high-level coaching and training and organized competition is necessary for young athletes who desire to persevere and progress in a sport.
If you can't afford the costs of high-level programs, what should you do? Well, I only recommend pushing the financial limits only if your child desires to persevere. There are sponsors, scholarships, and plain good will out there. You'll have to talk to coaches, parents, local program directors to find a potential route to success.
Progressing in youth sports is not always an easy path on the pocketbook. If your child is determined, driven, talented, and bugging the hell out of you to participate in a sport, then I encourage you to search for ways to help your child succeed. Just do it!
Hockey, figure skating, lacrosse, soccer, dance, swimming, and other sports can cost anywhere from $500 per year to more than $10,000 per year, including travel. This is nuts and there's not a lot you can do to avoid it.
NHL blogger Alan Adams discusses this issue further in the following article: Brian Burke: Money, Parents Hinder Youth Development.
I'm a huge believer in free-form sports. You know what I mean--playing kick ball outside in the yard or meeting at the park for a pick-up soccer or basketball game. Yet at some point high-level coaching and training and organized competition is necessary for young athletes who desire to persevere and progress in a sport.
If you can't afford the costs of high-level programs, what should you do? Well, I only recommend pushing the financial limits only if your child desires to persevere. There are sponsors, scholarships, and plain good will out there. You'll have to talk to coaches, parents, local program directors to find a potential route to success.
Progressing in youth sports is not always an easy path on the pocketbook. If your child is determined, driven, talented, and bugging the hell out of you to participate in a sport, then I encourage you to search for ways to help your child succeed. Just do it!
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