Successful Parenting

Soccer Training Academic Opportunities Around the World, Part 1

Submitted by EduKick on Tue, 12/02/2008 - 19:21. | comments

Looking for play your favorite game in an exotic location? Teams in Europe, South America and Asia offer fantastic opportunities for soccer players. World-class soccer training programs in Italy, England, France, Spain, Mexico, Brazil and China have opened their doors to young players looking to hone their soccer skills.

Lessons Learned in Little League

When I pick up a newspaper only to read another youth sports horror story about parents fighting at a youth hockey, football or baseball game with each other or with coaches or umpires, I often think back to the time when I was playing youth baseball:

College Recruiting: How Your Child Can Market Himself To College Coaches

Most high school athletes and their parents have never been through the college recruiting process. Your child can roll the dice and hope the right coaches contact him, or he can grab the bull by the horns and make recruiting work in his favor. Here's how.

The Costs, the Benefits: Elite Training in China

A visit to China raises questions about training very young children for acrobatics and high-level sports competition. Do the Chinese offer a model Western sports parents want to imitate? How are their choices different from ours?

My Hat is Back On

Submitted by Debbie Lantz on Fri, 10/17/2008 - 20:59. | comments

I spoke too soon. My last post shared a great attempt by the Ultimate Youth Football League to eject a team from their league for adult fighting. I just heard a follow up report on the news last night that reported the league cancelled all their playoff games due to public pressure.

I'm not sure of all the facts but the report left me feeling disappointed. The parents of this beligerent team got their way.
All the teams that did the right thing all season got punished too. What message does this action send?

Hat's off to the League with Guts

Submitted by Debbie Lantz on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 20:23. | comments

There is an old saying that one of life’s greatest travesties to a culture is when good people do nothing. I’m not sure who penned that truth but I have to admit I’m guilty of it from time to time and have seen those who have the title and influence to do something look the other way.

Deb Vee

Justified Behavior, Unsportsmanlike Behavior or Assault: You Decide

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 10/08/2008 - 00:03. | comments

Below is a link to a videotaped recent incident of a coach pushing an 11-year-old out of a handshake line after a youth football game. It is obvious that the coach was very aggressive toward the youth; however, it does not show anything that might have caused such an inappropriate response. Take a look:

Coach Shoves 11-year-old player: link 1

or

Coach Shoves 11-year-old player: link 2

Should Players Shout Back At Shouting Parents?

Some of the things adults yell at children at soccer games are just downright hilarious. Like the coach who yelled at a 6-year-old, "Give him a target on the flank!" Maybe kids should start shouting back and give an earful right back to the loudmouths on the sideline.

Tryouts and Cuts: Advice For Parents

Trying out for a roster spot on a team can be an extremely stressful situation for young athletes. If your child is trying out for a sports team, here some tips for parents on how to prepare your child for the try-out and what to do if she doesn't make the cut.

Set Realistic Expectations For Child in Sports

Starting your child out in sports at an early age can be a healthy and positive experience. But doing so can also be a perilous path if certain factors are not taken into consideration. The sport should be age appropriate. The young athlete should be given playing time during games. Parents should carefully consider whether year-round competition and early specialization are appropriate. Athletes need to be developed, not just physically, but also psychologically.

Successful Parenting

Soccer Training Academic Opportunities Around the World, Part 1

Lessons Learned in Little League

College Recruiting: How Your Child Can Market Himself To College Coaches

The Costs, the Benefits: Elite Training in China

My Hat is Back On

Hat's off to the League with Guts

Justified Behavior, Unsportsmanlike Behavior or Assault: You Decide

Should Players Shout Back At Shouting Parents?

Tryouts and Cuts: Advice For Parents

Set Realistic Expectations For Child in Sports

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