Why Sports Now? When to Start Competing?

JUST THE NUMBERS Youth Sport Statistics (Ages 5-18)Data Number of kids who play organized sports each year 35 Million Percent of coaches that are dads coaching their own kids 85% Female Sports Statistics (Women’s Sports Foundation) Female high school athletes are 92% less likely to get involved with drugs. Female high school athletes are 80% less likely to get pregnant. Female high school athletes are 3 time more likely to graduate than non-athletes.

Statistic Data Percent who participate in sports to be with friends65% Percent who said they wouldn’t care if no score was kept in their games71% Percent who said they wished no parents would watch them play37% Percent who said they see other kids act like poor sports frequently51 % Percent who would prefer to be on a losing team if they could play rather than warm the bench on a winning team 90% Percent of kids who said they had been called names, or insulted by coaches 45.3% JUST THE NUMBERS

Mom and Dad, Are you ready for competition?

YOUTH SPORTS 101: Top Tips for Moms & Dads Let kids participate in determining when they are ready for sports. Give priority to your child’s own interests. Don’t use sports as a baby-sitter. Emphasize the process of enjoyment rather than the product of winning. Evaluate your child’s coach. Don’t live your dreams through your children. Mom & Dad: Ask ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. Keep your eyes on your child. If your child misses the shot, you will be the first person they will need to make eye contact with. Material in part published on April 26, 2013 by Frank L. Smoll, Ph.D. in Coaching and Parenting Young Athletes

ARE YOUR KIDS READY? Do they know the difference between offense and defense? Do they know the difference between missing a shot and being a loser? Do they have a perspective on the ‘Big Deals’ and the ‘Not Big Deals’? Do they understand that playing sports is a privilege, not a right? Do they know that if they end up playing at a higher level no high school or college coach will ever ask them what their Little League or Club record was? Do they look for inner rewards or outer rewards? Do they have a sense of ‘work ethic’? Do they have ‘Grit’? Research shows that 70 to 75 percent of children who play sports will have quit playing by the time they are 14

TOP 6 REASONS WHY KIDS QUIT It’s not Fun anymore Too Competitive Coach is a jerk Too much parental pressure Lack of playing time Other interests

LABELS WE GIVE OUR CHILDREN Can’t Catch PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR CHILD CAN HEAR YOU. SHY Can’t Hit Not Aggressive LAZY Can’t Throw SLOW

DON’T BE THESE PARENTS