9 things no one likes about youth sports – and one that really stinks
By Janis Meredith | Posted 2/16/2018 - USA Football
Playing youth sports is not all fun and games. There’s a lot to enjoy, but there’s also plenty that's frustrating.
This list is not meant to discourage or turn anyone against youth sports. It's our job as parents and coaches to change the culture of youth sports.
See if you can make a difference and change one of these nine things that no one likes about playing youth sports:
1. Coaches who play favorites: As a coach, be intentional about your objectivity and strategize based on skill and effort, not on whose children are on the team.
2. Teammates who act like they are better than others: Parents can help by supporting, listening and keeping their kids grounded in reality, even while working hard to pursue their dreams. Don’t encourage a diva attitude.
3. Parents who coach from the sidelines: Let the coaches do their jobs.
4. Coaches who never say anything encouraging: Use the 5:1 principle. Give five positives for every negative.
5. Teammates who don’t try their best: Encourage your kids to seek to understand others, be slow to get angry, practice gratitude and stay focused on your own game.
6. Parents who always complain about playing time: Constantly remind yourself to keep zooming out and seeing the big picture.
7. Coaches who take youth sports way too seriously and don’t let kids enjoy themselves: If your child runs into this, encourage them to keep the right perspective. And if it gets to be too much, find another team.
8. Parents who live vicariously through their children: Parents, this is youth sports. Let your child work on fulfilling their dreams, not yours.
And the one that really, really stinks:
9. Kids who play only to please their parents: If your child doesn't have the passion to play, it will only become drudgery. Let your child choose.
Parents and coaches, you can change the culture of youth sports if you're willing to stand out from the craziness and make a positive difference.
Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach's wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks. She authored the Sports Parenting Survival Guide Series and has a podcasting series for sports parents. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
This is an updated version of a blog that originally posted Jan. 19, 2016.
This list is not meant to discourage or turn anyone against youth sports. It's our job as parents and coaches to change the culture of youth sports.
See if you can make a difference and change one of these nine things that no one likes about playing youth sports:
1. Coaches who play favorites: As a coach, be intentional about your objectivity and strategize based on skill and effort, not on whose children are on the team.
2. Teammates who act like they are better than others: Parents can help by supporting, listening and keeping their kids grounded in reality, even while working hard to pursue their dreams. Don’t encourage a diva attitude.
3. Parents who coach from the sidelines: Let the coaches do their jobs.
4. Coaches who never say anything encouraging: Use the 5:1 principle. Give five positives for every negative.
5. Teammates who don’t try their best: Encourage your kids to seek to understand others, be slow to get angry, practice gratitude and stay focused on your own game.
6. Parents who always complain about playing time: Constantly remind yourself to keep zooming out and seeing the big picture.
7. Coaches who take youth sports way too seriously and don’t let kids enjoy themselves: If your child runs into this, encourage them to keep the right perspective. And if it gets to be too much, find another team.
8. Parents who live vicariously through their children: Parents, this is youth sports. Let your child work on fulfilling their dreams, not yours.
And the one that really, really stinks:
9. Kids who play only to please their parents: If your child doesn't have the passion to play, it will only become drudgery. Let your child choose.
Parents and coaches, you can change the culture of youth sports if you're willing to stand out from the craziness and make a positive difference.
Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach's wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks. She authored the Sports Parenting Survival Guide Series and has a podcasting series for sports parents. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
This is an updated version of a blog that originally posted Jan. 19, 2016.
