2. What is it? Competing With Character is a youth sports enhancement program It revolves around a series of “skills” for players, coaches and parents Sports should not only be competitive and fun but stress sportsmanship, character development and life skills

3. You tell me  Benefits of Youth Sports You tell me  Have Fun  Learn to work as a team  Learn to win/lose  Learn skills for life 

4. What’s Wrong with Youth Sports? You tell me  Out of Control Behavior  Too Many Games/Not enough Practice  Not fun for kids   You tell me     

6. Survey Says…  41 million boys and girls participate in organized youth sports (Source: National Council of Youth Sports)  More than 70% of the boys and girls who begin playing organized sports in elementary school will have quit by high school (Source: The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University)

7. Survey Says  Only 3% of athletes make the jump from high school basketball to the collegiate level (Source: NCAA)  1.8% of the 7 million boys and girls who play high school sports will receive any type of financial aid to play sports in college (Source: The Citizenship Through Sport Alliance)

8. We Should Try To…  Create an environment where character is a priority  Help coaches and parents make the game enjoyable for kids  Increase outward displays of sportsmanship by coaches, parents, and athletes  Teach important skills for adults and kids

9. We Should Try To…  Reduce the frustration of coaches  Improve communication between coaches, athletes, and parents  Decrease bad sportsmanship and bad behavior  Do everything in our power to help our organization be identified as one that is “Competing With Character”

10. The Question Is… How?

11. The Answer Is… Teach Skills

12. What are Skills? A specific set of positive behaviors that become part of an individual’s routine

13. Skills for Players Skills for Coaches Skills for Parents Rules for Spectator Conduct

14. Skills For Players Will be effective IF: Deemed important by the organization Taught by coaches Supported by parents

15. Skills For Players Listen to your coaches Follow coaches instructions Accept coaching Get along with your teammates Have high energy Respect your opponents Be prepared for practice and games Win with class and lose with dignity Handle disappointment and adversity appropriately Respect facilities and equipment

16. Skills for Coaches Will be effective IF: Deemed important by the organization Adhered to by coaches

17. “When adults behave like children, children do not learn how to become adults.” Bruce Brown

18. Teach Kids Skills Tips for success: Blend teaching skills into your practice plan Look for opportunities to teach and reinforce skills Teach, don’t preach

19. Praise And Compliment Tips for success: Catch them being good Praise three times for every correction or criticism (3-to-1 rule) Make connections between appropriate behavior and desired outcomes

20. Correct Misbehavior Tips for success: Set and stick to your tolerance levels Address misbehavior right away, teach to it Give consequences when necessary

21. Be Organized Tips for success: Have a practice plan Keep players busy and reduce idle time Set and work toward goals

22. Have High Energy Tips for success: Motivate yourself Interact with players Be physically active

23. Model Tips for success: Dress like a coach Never use foul language Use proper conduct with players, opponents, and officials

24. Communicate With Parents Tips for success: Let parents know your rules and expectations ahead of time Notify parents of changes or concerns Be empathetic

25. Understand The Big Picture Tips for success: Teach life skills through sport Emphasize competing, not defeating Have fun

26. Skills For Parents Have your child be on time with proper equipment Support the coaches Voice concerns appropriately Praise and compliment your child rather than criticize Model appropriate behavior at athletic contests Emphasize effort and enjoyment over winning Problem-solve issues your child has with coaches

27. Rules for Spectator Conduct Welcome the opposing team’s fans, coaches and players Cheer FOR your team, not against your opponent Respect all officials, players and coaches Applaud all good plays Never use foul language or ridicule participants Respect the facilities and pick up your trash Keep games fun and enjoyable

28. Food For Thought Limit conditioning Stress fundamentals Utilize all kids Gain knowledge of the game Do whatever you have to in order for the kids to have fun

29. Never underestimate the impact you have on kids!

30. Books by Kevin Kush available on www.boystownpress.org

31. For more information visit: www.boystown.org www.boystownpress.org Or Call: 1.800.545.5771 A resource for children and adults: