Youth Sports Hero of the Month: Derek Herber (N. Attleboro, Mass.)

Submitted by Douglas E. Abrams, J.D. on Wed, 07/02/2014 - 15:37. | comments

It was the ideal ending to a 17-year coaching career, the sort of final curtain call that coaches imagine as their tenure winds down. In the Massachusetts Division 2 boys track and field championships in New Bedford on June 1, North Attleboro High School earned one point in the 4 x 400 relay, the day's final event. Derek Herber had already announced that this would be his last season as coach, and now his team had won its second consecutive state championship, edging runner-up Central Catholic High School, 69-68. Track athlete in starting blocks of relay race

This month's Heroes blog highlights a track and field coach who, instead of capping off a 17-year career with a state championship, ended up retiring with a gesture of true sportsmanship worth its weight in gold.

Douglas E. Abrams, J.D.

Disciplining Youth Sports Coaches: Lots of Factors To Consider

Submitted by Douglas E. Abrams, J.D. on Sat, 03/08/2014 - 21:18. | comments

My March "Youth Sports Hero of the Month" column honored 12-year-old Matthew Marotta for his sportsmanship at the end of a hard-fought pee wee hockey tournament game in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 16.

For readers who might not have read that blog entry yet, the Nanaimo Clippers edged Matthew's Prince George Cougars, 3-2, on a hotly disputed goal in the final moments of double overtime. Youth hockey player watching action from bench

In his March Youth Sports Hero of the Month blog, Doug Abrams honored 12-year-old Matthew Marotta for his sportsmanship at the end of a hard-fought pee wee hockey tournament game in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In this post, the former youth hockey coach focuses on the factors sports leagues should weigh in considering disciplinary measures against a coach, using the Marotta incident as a jumping off point.

2012 Field Hockey Rules Changes Focus on Responsibilities of Coaches

In an effort to emphasize coaches' responsibilities, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has made ten rule changes in field hockey to reduce gamesmanship and improve sportsmanship.

Jesus Chant by Fans Was Poor Sportsmanship

One should not taunt an opponent - even by invoking Jesus. Yet, that's exactly what one all-boy's Catholic school recently did, prompting an unfortunate reaction from the coach of their co-ed public school opponent.

Game Forfeiture: Costly but Preventable

The practice of "preventive officiating", if executed well, can minimize the chances of game forfeiture, but there is no guarantee. Preventing forfeiture is squarely the responsibility of the coach and the players, says a high school basketball official.

The Violence In Youth Sports Continues

Submitted by Greg Covi on Fri, 09/02/2011 - 05:08. | comments

I just saw this video and I provided the link below for all to see. This video and the actions of one football team make me ill to my stomach. I just don't have any words for it right now but will follow up on it at a later time. Please view the article and the video and give your comments on it. We as a society have to do something to prevent this type of stuff from happening.

http://sarasota.patch.com/articles/video-shows-youth-football-coaches-player-attacking-referee#video-7585595

They must be prosecuted

Hal Tearse

What Life Lessons To Teach Is Coach's Choice

Submitted by Hal Tearse on Fri, 08/05/2011 - 01:00. | comments

There are tens of thousands of well-meaning coaches in youth and high school athletics/activites across this nation. Being placed in a position of influence and power over young people, however, requires - to borrow from the Hippocratic oath - that coaches first do no harm, and hopefully do some good. Unfortunately, the sad fact is that many will be remembered by their players for all the wrong reasons.

Being placed in a position of influence and power over young people
requires - to borrow from the Hippocratic oath - that coaches first do
no harm, and hopefully do some good. Whether to teach positive or negative life lessons is the coach's choice.

Brooke de Lench

Increasing Cynicism of Younger Coaches Is Disturbing Trend

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Sun, 05/01/2011 - 19:31. | comments

In his monthly column on youth sports heroes, Doug Abrams highlights two high school baseball pitchers who refused to follow their coach's instructions to intentionally throw at the head of a batter.

His article highlights one high school baseball coach but proves two larger points.

Youth Sports Heroes of the Month

In 1989, Spike Lee earned an Academy Award nomination for his drama, "Do the Right Thing." As Douglas E. Abrams writes in this month's installment of his series, Youth Sports Heroes, more than 20 years later, the command perfectly describes the noble split-second decisions made by three pairs of high school athletes and their coaches who set a standard of sportsmanship in following their best instincts to do what was right.

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PARENTS HOW ARE YOU ADJUSTING TO HIGH SCHOOL IS THE QUESTION?

Sportsmanship