Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Sports Tip of the Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
3. The Travel Ball Conundrum Image by Getty Images via Daylife Whether a child...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
5. Sports Parenting Tips – Developing a Good Work Ethic Image by charissa1066 via Flickr     I have received...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

What to Say During Games
I see it happen all the time – a kid goes up to bat and his coach starts yelling to do this (“swing level,” i.e.) and the player’s parents are saying to do that (“keep your hands up,” i.e.) and then the hitter lets pitches go by that are right down the middle.  The coach and parents both sigh with disbelief thinking “why didn’t he swing at that.” Little do they realize that the batter didn’t swing because he was thinking about how he was going to keep his hands up and swing level. The point is that giving mechanical instructions during games takes concentration away from what is important, timing the ball in this instance. Coaches and parents should just give words of encouragement during games and leave the mechanical tips for practice. This gives players the chance to give their ultimate concentration to the things that are important to succeed. When success doesn’t come, it’s back to the drawing board (practice) for the mechanical adjustments.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Coaching Philosophy   Sports Coaching Philosophy Coaching Philosophy     It is important...
2. Developing Coachable Players Image by Getty Images via Daylife Often when working with...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting – M   Motivation – The first word that comes to mind...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – T   Trust - The obvious word that comes to the...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – U Understanding - ”I understand that just because a skill is easy...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Image by mag3737 via Flickr

I remember reading this saying somewhere and have never forgotten it, “Scoreboard begins with letter S, but so does Sportsmanship.” The point is that who wins and loses is somewhat important but the feelings associated with them goes away quickly. The feeling one gets when applying good sportsmanship is a way of life and never goes away.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...
2. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by Getty Images via @daylife Parenting Perspective Talking...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – S Success – The old saying “nothing succeeds like success” does...
5. Parenting Practice for Sports Parents Image by bowbrick via Flickr Good article at http://www.zikkir.com/index/109247 -...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Casually bringing up a memory of a good athletic play that your child made at an unlikely time is a good positive parenting idea. For example: while sitting on the beach with your child or driving to school saying “I just thought of the time you made that game saving tackle” will put a good thought in your child’s mind and can boost their self -confidence and self-esteem. Putting positive sporting images in the mind is good practice for parents as well as kids, especially when kids are going through struggling athletic times.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
2. The Travel Ball Conundrum Image by Getty Images via Daylife Whether a child...
3. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...
5. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of Day Image by Getty Images via Daylife How to help...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Travel Ball Conundrum

Whether a child should play travel ball in a particular sport or not and at what age to begin playing is often a tough call for parents. In my latest book Raising an Athlete, I spend a whole chapter discussing this dilemma. There are four key things that can help determine when a kid should play travel ball. The importance of each factor is a little different for each family based on their particular situation.
1. The child’s interest level, not just the parents interest.
2. The coach they would play for – good caoches are priceless for a players life and sport development.
3. The player’s skill level – putting a player in a level they are not ready for is the quickest way to have them want to discontinue playing.
4. Time commitment – meeting the demands of much more playing can be tough to balance while having kids stay involved in other activities, including non-sport related ones.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

The Travel Ball Conundrum

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
2. Love of Sport Image via Wikipedia I often encounter kids that play...
3. Providing Inspiration Image via Wikipedia Parents don’t have to give a...
4. Preparing for Next Season Image via Wikipedia Now is a good time to...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Coaching Philosophy   Sports Coaching Philosophy Coaching Philosophy     It is important...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

    I have received this comment many times from parents over the years, “Would you make him a major leaguer.” I always respond with “only he can do that, but I will try to instill the correct fundamentals and impress upon him the importance of a great work ethic.” To avoid having regrets later and to reach one’s potential, a great work ethic is mandatory in sports and life. With that in mind, follwing are some of the statements that I often repeat to my students:
1. It is not the fast one out that wins in the long run but the steady methodical athlete who continually works at their skills.
2. An athlete can not always control the outcome but they can control their amount of effort and preparation, which usually helps determine the outcome
3. Keep positive images in your mind – think about that great  play you made and forget your mistakes and losses
4.  Everyone has the will to win – the winners are those that have the will to prepare to win. (Qoute is from some famous person who I am not sure)

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Sports Parenting Tips – Developing a Good Work Ethic

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr Encouraging athletes...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – S Success – The old saying “nothing succeeds like success” does...
3. Raising an Athlete – Book Excerpt      Another common concern parents have is that their child...
4. Developing Coachable Players Image by Getty Images via Daylife Often when working with...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Coachable Players

Often when working with athletes I will sense a reluctance in some to try what I suggest. They may even blurt out, “My dad told me to do it another way,” or “My coach told me to do this” or even “My friend says this works for him.” I usually respond with “Give this way a try and we will find what works best.” Along the same lines, parents often ask what I recommend when two different coaches are teaching two different things. I tell them to tell their son or daughter that, ”Everything is worth a try so try what each coach suggests and go with what works. Have your child nod in agreement even if they know it is different from what another coach is teaching.” The point of this post is that athletes should not get in the habit of not listening to or trying what each coach suggests. That would be a great way of getting on the bad side of a coach and/or getting labeled as an uncoachable player. Coaches like to think they have the answers and that they know more than the player’s parents.  If players act like the coach is not correct, it definitely gives coaches a bad impression of that player. This often leads to bad consequences for these players resulting in a) the coach proceeds to ignore the player from then on b) it affects the player’s playing time c) the player gets cut from the team or doesn’t make the team. This situation is a great teaching moment for parents and gives your son or daughter the best chance of keeping a “coachable player” reputation, which is important for players looking to advance into high school baseball or beyond.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Developing Coachable Players

Positive parenting posts:

1. Sports Parenting Tips – Developing a Good Work Ethic Image by charissa1066 via Flickr     I have received...
2. Parenting Practice for Sports Parents Image by bowbrick via Flickr Good article at http://www.zikkir.com/index/109247 -...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
4. I Believe in You & I Will Be Pulling for You – Positive Coaching Image by Development Works Photos via Flickr Having taught...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting Lessons at Holiday Time

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – Y Youth  – Things are getting tough down here at the...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – R Resiliency – Another one of my favorite words with regards...
3. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
4. Positive Parenting in Sports – When to Volunteer There are a number of considerations adults should take into...
5. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by ArkansasSportsPhotography.com via Flickr Many parents don’t realize...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Coaching Youth Sports

Success – The old saying “nothing succeeds like success” does make sense. Without positive results in sports, most kids will not want to continue, and that is understandable. Success is sometimes hard to define though and just as important is what I call “the feeling of success.” Often, success is judged by who won  and who had the best statitistics, but those should not be the only factors which determine success. In my mind, kids who give as close to 100% as possible are a success no matter what their results. However, this is only the case when parents and coaches recognize this and reward kids for their effort. Parents and coaches who are win at all cost or statistically oriented do not give kids this “feeling of success” and often a kids self-esteem suffers because of this. Positive parenting in sports suggests that parents judge kids on effort and not results and the good news is that often the results will follow for those that give maximum effort.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – S

Positive parenting posts:

1. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
2. Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image via Wikipedia * “Everyone has the will to...
3. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by Beniamino Baj via Flickr Optimism In my...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Coaching Philosophy   Sports Coaching Philosophy Coaching Philosophy     It is important...
5. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by Getty Images via Daylife Rewards for Winning...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Sports Coaching

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L

Positive parenting posts:

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...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Sports Coaching Book

Hope – This is one of my favorite concepts that is so important in youth sports. It is so important because it is something concrete that parents and coaches can give kids that can make all the difference. You see, another person cannot give a player confidence for that is something they must attain on their own.  But, hope is something that can be given to athletes. Remaining positive with athletes when they struggle and providing helpful fundamental knowledge at the appropriate time gives players hope that they can do better the next time. As long as a player has hope, they usually will want to keep playing and look forward to practice and playing games. Positive words of encouragement before and after games are of course helpful, but  the most helpful advice is generally some solid fundamental tip that will make the player realize that they can perform well if they do the fundamentals correctly. A player feels hopeful when it is their fundamentals that need improving as opposed to thinking that it is “in their head” as to the reason they are not playing well. Do not overwhelm players with instruction but give hope whenever possible with a little tip.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – H

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image via Wikipedia The Power of Hope Confidence is...
2. 5 Keys to Success in Sports Following are parenting tips to help bring out the best...
3. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...
5. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by Getty Images via Daylife What to Say...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Jack Perconte Sports Coaching Tips

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – G

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Q Quit - An obvious word when it comes to the...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – W Winning – The first word that comes to mind when...
4. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by Slaff via Flickr Keeping an Even Keel...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Positive Sports Coaching

Attention – Getting the attention of players can be difiicult. Their attention span is often short and when they are around teammates and friends it tends to be even shorter. A couple of techniques I use to help this situation was to allow players time to warm up and socialize with their teammates before giving a talk on what you wanted to accomplish at the practice session, instead of trying to get them to listen immediately at the start of practice. Secondly, I would ask questions about what I was teaching. I was often amazed at which kids were paying attention and which ones were not. Often, the ones paying attention were not the players who were looking directly at you. That is why a short question and answer session was useful. If players know they may be called upon to answer a question, they had a tendency to pay more attention.

 Believability – Parents and coaches must have some experience with what they are teaching youth if they expect players to listen and try what they suggest. If parents don’t know the “why” and have previous “experience” of doing something a certain way, then kids will have a hard time wanting to do it their way. When parents do not have that expertise they should research it (read books, watch video, ask other coaches) or have an experienced coach work with their child. Otherwise, kids will tune the parent out or tell them to be quiet when they play and practice, especially when a kid reaches a higher level of ball, or just an older age. Reaffirming in a positive manner at the appropriate time what the player’s coaches are teaching is good, though. Future posts will discuss things like “positive manner” and “appropriate time.”

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – A & B

Positive parenting posts:

1. Are the Athletes Listening? Positive Coaching Image via Wikipedia      I work with baseball and...
2. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
3. Positive Coaching – Check Ego in at the Door Image by melissajonas via Flickr Over the years, one...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – W Winning – The first word that comes to mind when...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.