Maintaining Balance in the Family
Parents should always be mindful of the effects of having an accomplished athlete in the family. Often, so much attention is given to the star athlete that other kids in the family begin to detest the situation. Making the other kids trudge around to every game and tournament can create unhappiness and negative feelings. Parents should keep balance in their treatment of all family members and not devote all their time and attention to the star athlete. Missing games from time to time and doing things with other kids is important.

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Positive Sports Tip of the Day

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1. The Travel Ball Conundrum Image by Getty Images via Daylife Whether a child...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...
3. “Star Treatment” Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html Post...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
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Remember, it is OK, in my opinion, to miss your kids games occasionally
Somewhere, over the years, the opinion has been created that one is a bad parent if when they don’t attend their child’s games. Feeling this way may put too much emphasis on the child’s sports career to the point where the sport becomes “everything” to every one. This doesn’t mean parents should not show interest in their games with post-game questions but it is not necessary to be at every game.

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Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day

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2. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – U Understanding - ”I understand that just because a skill is easy...
4. Love of Sport Image via Wikipedia I often encounter kids that play...
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Sleep on It
When parents feel disappointment over their child’s effort level or practice habits, it is a good idea to wait to tell them the next day. This may lead to a sleepless night for the parent, but not to a bunch of sleepless nights because you say the wrong thing immediately. Giving yourself time to say something with the correct words and with the proper emotion will make everyone (kids and parents) feel better in the long run. 

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching Following is Jack’s article he writes for the Press Enterprise...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...
3. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image via Wikipedia Heat or Ice for Sports Injury...
4. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – Y Youth  – Things are getting tough down here at the...

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I have been keeping up with Luann on her training for fun blog – even though I am a guy, of course – but recognize the importance of what she believes in. Parents, in my opinion, should not miss out on doing these type things when their kids are young – otherwise, parents often look back when their kids are teenagers and wonder why they and their kids have nothing in common or why their kids turn to their peers for advice more than they turn to mom and dad. Here is a review of my book that she did but be sure and check out all her writing.
http://www.trainingforfun.com/book-review-raising-an-athlete-by-jack-perconte/
See more at www.trainingforfun.com

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Training for Fun – Great Blog for Moms

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by Beniamino Baj via Flickr Optimism In my...
2. It’s All About “Perspective” – Parenting Advice From Jack’s blog at the Press Enterprise – Southern California...
3. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by chemisti via Flickr 4 Things to Try...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
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A great way to develop enthusiam and love for a sport is to go to upper level games in that sport. This may seem obvious but the trick is to follow it up with some action. Going to professional games is great and creates enthusiasm, but it may not create a love for the sport. Love develops when kids have the opportunity to try what they observe. That is why I endorse taking kids to local high school and college games where they can feel the excitement of the experience but at the same time be able to take out some equipment and play that sport after watching for a period. There is often some room where parents and kids can go, adjacent to the fields, where they can play awhile. The ability to follow up the viewing with some play creates a deeper feeling in the young athlete for that sport.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Creating Enthusiasm in Athletes

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1. Love of Sport Image via Wikipedia I often encounter kids that play...
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5. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...

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Practicing Together - Priceless

Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for “being there” for their kids:
1. Find an safe area around house where kids can practice their favorite sport.
2. Practice with them when they ask – find the time.
3. Make it fun – set up little contests, tournaments if possible.
4. Point out fundamentals in a positive manner but do not dwell on them.
5. Film child and watch it sometime – put up on big screen if can – kids love watching themselves. Evaluate fundamentals only if child wants you to and you have expertise to do so.
6. Watch inspirational sports movies occasionally with kids.

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Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions

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2. Love of Sport Image via Wikipedia I often encounter kids that play...
3. Making Sports Fun by Jack Perconte Image via Wikipedia Parents often become concerned because their...
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Parenitng Advice

Jack’s recent article for Press Enterprise blog
http://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/11/where-the-wild-things-are-in-s.html

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Where the Wild Things Are In Sports

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1. Excuses,Excuses – Parenting Advice Jack’s recent article for the Press Enterprise Blog – Southern...
2. It’s All About “Perspective” – Parenting Advice From Jack’s blog at the Press Enterprise – Southern California...
3. “Star Treatment” Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html Post...
4. Negative Gestures Hurt as Much as Negative Words – Sports Coaching Reprint from Jack’s Press Enterprise Blog – Southern California...
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Youth Sports Coaching

Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

“Star Treatment”

Positive parenting posts:

1. Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching Following is Jack’s article he writes for the Press Enterprise...
2. Where the Wild Things Are In Sports Jack’s recent article for Press Enterprise blog http://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/11/where-the-wild-things-are-in-s.html Post...
3. Excuses,Excuses – Parenting Advice Jack’s recent article for the Press Enterprise Blog – Southern...
4. It’s All About “Perspective” – Parenting Advice From Jack’s blog at the Press Enterprise – Southern California...
5. Negative Gestures Hurt as Much as Negative Words – Sports Coaching Reprint from Jack’s Press Enterprise Blog – Southern California...

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Parenting Advice

The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure they inevitably place on their kids:
A. Don’t let your child feel like your day revolves around their game and their play that day, even though it may be the highlight of your day.
B. Do not press them for details immediately after a game unless the player offers it. General questions like how they and the team played and did they have fun are OK, though.
C. At a later time, after dinner or the next day, give a positive before commenting on a player’s action and before offering advice. For example, saying “I liked the way you concentrated, next time you might want to try this in that situation.”
D. Parents should base their evaluations on a player’s effort level and not results. After all, athletes cannot always control winning and results, only their preparation and effort. My definition for success is how close to 100% did an athlete give and not how many points they scored.
E. Do not offer rewards (i.e. ice cream stop, money, etc.) if the child plays well.
F. Remain positive and encouraging – success often comes to players who have supportive, patient and understanding parents.
G. Explain the situation when you do show some frustration over your child’s performance. Apologizing after showing frustration – “I’m sorry, but I want you to do well, that’s part of what parents do” – or something to that effect is good positive parenting. After all, parents are not perfect and this will express that to your kids.

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Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting

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3. Where the Wild Things Are In Sports Jack’s recent article for Press Enterprise blog http://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/11/where-the-wild-things-are-in-s.html Post...
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Sports Coaching Tips

Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout sports. Burnout occurs when playing the game just stops being fun anymore. The causes of burnout generally occur in three ways – over-playing, over-sporting and over-expecting. Kids are often heading for burnout when one or more of these situations occur: 1. When they play one particular sport too often or too long in a year
2. When they get to playing too many sports at the same time
3. When their own or others’ expectations of their performance becomes over-bearing
Parents and players should do their best to avoid any of these three situations from occurring.

Additionally, parents can go a long way towards keeping the fun in the game for young athletes with these three things:
1. Attention – Showing support and enthusiasm for their kids’ efforts is priceless.
2. Approval – Recognizing improvement is inspiration to youth
3. Knowledge - Providing the “know how” builds confidence.
Much more about recognizing and dealing with burnout can be found in Jack’s book Raising an Athlete - How to Instill Confidence, Build Skills and Inspire a Love of Sport

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice

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Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching

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2. Where the Wild Things Are In Sports Jack’s recent article for Press Enterprise blog http://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/11/where-the-wild-things-are-in-s.html Post...
3. “Star Treatment” Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html Post...
4. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day Image by Spree2010 via Flickr Sleep on It When...
5. Negative Gestures Hurt as Much as Negative Words – Sports Coaching Reprint from Jack’s Press Enterprise Blog – Southern California...

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Youth Sports Coaching

Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that obviously goes beyond sports. In my book, Raising an Athlete, I go into detail talking about comparing confidence and optimism and how to build optimistic kids. Confidence is not something that can be given to someone but is attained by good performance and/or good work ethic. Confidence comes and goes based on ones most recent performance. Some athletes are naturally confident and others are not but both can be successful. Optimism is different and is something that can be given to athletes. Good coaches and parents are constantly looking at the bright side of things and display and state this optimistic attitude to young players. Developing optimistic athletes is essential and this development will often carry over beyond the playing fields into their everyday life. Kids who lack confidence  may still succeed but kids who are not optimistic rarely, if ever, succeeed. Sports is a great avenue for parents to teach life lessons because of the inevitable disappointments that all athletes experience at times. Creating optimistic people should be one of the goals of effective parenting in sports.

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O

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3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – R Resiliency – Another one of my favorite words with regards...
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Sports Coaching

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L

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1. Love of Sport Image via Wikipedia I often encounter kids that play...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
3. “Star Treatment” Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html Post...
4. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
5. Positive Sports Tip of the Day “Sports  don’t build character, they reveal it,” is a famous...

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Jack Perconte Sports Coaching Tips

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – G

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2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...
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4. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by Slaff via Flickr Keeping an Even Keel...
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Coaching Youth Sports Positively

Confidence  – Nowhere is confidence more important than on the playing fields of sport. Without confidence, players often lose their desire to keep playing, and at the very least they tend to play scared. Some players are naturally more confident than others, but confidence can be gained over time. Gaining confidence almost always is related to success. This is where things get tricky sometimes and where parents and coaches are vital to helping young athletes with their development. How parents and coaches define success and being able to relate that definition and help kids believe the definition is the key. I tell kids the definition of success is when they give as close to 100% as possible to whatever they put their mind and physical effort to. Not every child is blessed with the same degree of athletice talent or athletic instincts, but those that make the most of what they are given are a success. With this definition ingrained in young players, you will begin to see confident players and kids no matter the statistical outcome of their games. In my book, Raising an Athlete, I devote a great deal of time giving coaches and parents the words, phrases and gestures that help develop not only confident players on the field but , more importantly, optimistic kids for their futures.

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – C

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1. Raising an Athlete – Book Excerpt      Another common concern parents have is that their child...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...
3. Positive Sports Tip Of the Day Image via Wikipedia Expect Success Recently, I wrote that...
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