Optimism
In my last post I mentioned that one cannot simply give young athletes confidence but they can give them hope. In my book Raising an Athlete I write a great deal about how athletes confidence comes and goes but good coaches are continually trying to develop optimistic kids. Good coaches and parents have a knack for keeping sports success and failure in perspective so that, whether kids have success or not, they feel good about themselves. Parents and coaches can achieve this optimistic attitude by stressing effort over results, and keeping expectations realistic. “You will get em next time” is one of the best things a coach can say to a young player.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Sports Tip of the Day

Positive parenting posts:

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...
4. It’s All About “Perspective” – Parenting Advice From Jack’s blog at the Press Enterprise – Southern California...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – S Success – The old saying “nothing succeeds like success” does...

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Burnout
There are many signs of athletic burnout that parents should watch for when raising an athlete. Burnout usually occurs from one of three things. 1. Over-play – too much of one sport, games and practice combined. 2. Over-sport – trying to play too many sports at one time. 3. Over-expecting – when expectations are too high, either from others or self, players can become burned out trying to reach the unreachable. Signs to watch for – easily angered player, inattentive player, non-respectful player, very unmotivated – and these are occurring when the player never showed these tendencies before.

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Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day

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1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
2. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
3. ABC”s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – Z ZEAL – Finally made it to the end of the...
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Many parents don’t realize that they are exerting excessive parental pressure on their sports playing kids. If parents notice the following happening often they should learn to back off some. 1. When analyzing their child’s play to others the young player always disagrees with the analysis. 2. When a child is playing or practicing, they are constantly looking to their parent for approval and/or for instruction. Parents should allow and insist that their kid pays attention to their coach during practice and games.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
4. Positive Parenting Lessons at Holiday Time It would be great if parents could afford to buy...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – W Winning – The first word that comes to mind when...

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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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Remember, doing something right and doing something almost right is the difference between athletic success and failure. Parents should keep this in mind when they can’t figure out why their kids are atruggling to have success in sports. Skill development in every sport requires correct fundamentals repeated continually in practice so that the skill happens automatically in the game. Practicing a skill almost correctly but not totally correct will lead to game failure in time. Having a players skills reviewed by a professional and practicing the suggested tips will almost always be beneficial for a players future.  

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day

Positive parenting posts:

1. 5 Keys to Success in Sports Following are parenting tips to help bring out the best...
2. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
3. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – R Resiliency – Another one of my favorite words with regards...

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Developing sel-esteem in youth is crucial to there development and sports is a great medium to be able to do this. Good coaches know how to do this by using the following actions:
1. Good coaches recognize the different personalities of each player and encourage each player to be themselves – trying to get players to be like someone else or to act differently is not usually good. Though, this is not to mean that coaches should not encourage all players to give as close to %100 as possible.
2. Good coaches look for ways those players can use their personal gifts to help the team beyond just the playing aspect. For example, players who have a good sense of humor should be encouraged to use that trait to keep the team (and coaches) loose.
3. Good coaches mention positive contributions to player’s parents when possible. Nothing encourages a kid more than feeling like they have made their parents proud.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Building Self- Esteem in Youth – Positive Coaching

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1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – X Xample – OK, I know I am cheating a little...
2. Are the Athletes Listening? Positive Coaching Image via Wikipedia      I work with baseball and...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Q Quit - An obvious word when it comes to the...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – S Success – The old saying “nothing succeeds like success” does...
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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...
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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...
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I often encounter kids that play baseball because their parents want them to. I can tell their heart is not in it and are only playing to please their parent. This is unfortunate at times, especially when the parent gets upset with the childs attitude. The problem is that parents may have waited too long to help the child develop a serious interest in that activity.
There is a reason children of professional and Olympic athletes follow in their parents footsteps. Kids of pro athletes grow up around the fields and locker rooms of theit sports playing parents. The point is that it is the personal experiences of being there that develops a love for the sport. It didn’t come from the kids watching the sport on TV or from playing the video game of the sport.

     You never know for sure when a kid develops a love for something but it can be sparked by a very simple event. I believe I can trace my son’s  love of baseball to age 3, when he hopped in a battting cage at my sports academy and was able to hit the ball from the pitching machine.
     Parents that want their kids to develop a love for a particular sport should attend games of that sport with their child from a young age. Seeing and feeling the electric and fun atmosphere of physically being at the games as often as possible may create the spark that develops the love of sport in the child. Of course, this does not have to be a professional game, but even a high school, college or sibling game of the sport. You never know when the spark will develop in your child and it cannot be forced on them later in life.

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Love of Sport

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1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
2. Creating Enthusiasm in Athletes Image by Getty Images via Daylife A great way...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...
4. Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions Following are a few new year’s resolutions for parents for...
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    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)

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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...
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Game Changer

I read about a new device that parents may be interested in at Lisa Winston’s great blog site. Check this device out – seems too good to be true for baseball parents
 http://gotmilb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/01/gamechanger_where_were_you_whe.html

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Game Changer for Parents

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Parenting Podcast with Jack Perconte Had a great time talking sports with Joe Magennis –...
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. Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching Following is Jack’s article he writes for the Press Enterprise...
4. “Star Treatment” Jack’s Article for Press Enterprise – Southern Californiahttp://blogs.pe.com/moms/2009/10/be-careful-of-the-star-treatme.html Post...
5. Excuses,Excuses – Parenting Advice Jack’s recent article for the Press Enterprise Blog – Southern...

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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.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting in Sports – New Year’s Resolutions

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image via Wikipedia Fun Sports Practice Ideas Sometimes the...
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...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – L Love of the Game – Love is the first...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – P Patience & Perspective Now we are talking – there are...

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Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Positive Parenting Lessons at Holiday Time

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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...

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A little info on my hilariously funny friend Jimmy Scott:
I don’t want to publicly state that I’m one of the best right-handed pitchers of all-time.  I’ll just think that.  Instead, I’ll state in a public forum that my 330 wins, 4000+ strikeouts, 2 no-hitters and 3 championship rings put me in elite company.  The top of my resume says A Great One.  I think that’s a proper heading, don’t you? Read more at http://www.jimmyscottshighandtight.com/

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

A Must Read – So Funny – Sports Coaching

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 – O Optimism – One of my favorite words and concepts that...
3. 5 Keys to Success in Sports Following are parenting tips to help bring out the best...
4. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – U Understanding - ”I understand that just because a skill is easy...
5. My Favorite Positive Parenting Word? Image via Wikipedia by Former Major Leaguer Jack Perconte...

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Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching

Positive parenting posts:

1. Don’t Allow Coach Trashing Image by Getty Images via Daylife It is very...
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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Sports Coaching

Understanding - ”I understand that just because a skill is easy for me or appears easy from the sidelines, does not mean it is easy for everyone.” ” I play to win, with the understanding that player development and fun are of equal importance.” “I do my best to understand each player’s personality so I can determine how to make them feel good about themselves and their play.”

These are some quotes from my latest book and show the importance of the word beginning with the letter U.
In “Rasing an Athlete” I have a coach’s quiz to see where coaches rank on a effective coaching scale. There are 50 questions asked with some valued higher than others. The intent is not really to evaluate coaches but to give people an understanding of how many ingredients go into making a great coach. Parents of athletes should not expect their volunteer coaches to rank super high on the quiz because they don’t have the experience, training and time to devote to being a great coach. Most great coaches are found at the collegiate and pro levels, with some at the high school level and even fewer at the youth level. However, this is not to say that there are not some very good youth level coaches because there are. Also, the good news is that coaches can and do improve over time with this often being a trial and error process to bring out the best in young players.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – U

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Coaching Philosophy   Sports Coaching Philosophy Coaching Philosophy     It is important...
2. Showing Understanding – Sports Coaching Following is Jack’s article he writes for the Press Enterprise...
3. Positive Parenting in Sports – When to Volunteer There are a number of considerations adults should take into...
4. Positive Parenting (Coaching) Tip of the Day Image by jfre81 via Flickr Parents should not underestimate...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – N Negativity – First word that comes to mind when I...

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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...

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Sports Coaching Motivation

Motivation – The first word that comes to mind with sports and the letter M is motiavation. Motivation is a lot like love because it can be developed and it can come at different stages of a child’s career. All kids are diferent  – some are naturally motivated whild others have little motivation. There is no magic formula for making an athlete more motivated. As mentioned, the good news is that it is  can be developed over time in athletes. Parents and coaches should look for opportunities to inspire their kids in sports with the hope that the motivation develops. This can be done in a number of ways with some being: Staying positive, smiling and showing them how proud you are of them when they try hard, being patient, keeping expectations realistic, telling them stories of inpirational athletes. Finally, maybe the best way to motivate an athlete is to give them the knowledge and practice habits that  give them a chance to succeed. Nothing motivates an athlete more than success.

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ABC’s of Positive Parenting – M

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
2. Positive Sports Tip of the Day Image by Beniamino Baj via Flickr Optimism In my...
3. Ways to Minimize Parental Pressure – Positive Parenting The following tips can help parents to minimize the pressure...
4. It’s All About “Perspective” – Parenting Advice From Jack’s blog at the Press Enterprise – Southern California...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – R Resiliency – Another one of my favorite words with regards...

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Sports Coaching Book

Inspiration

-  This is an obvious word that initially comes to mind when I think of words beginning with this letter. Many parents get frustrated with their kids because they do not show much motivation to play to practice their skills. Often, motivation comes from within a players innate personality so that is hard to change with many kids. However, parents and coaches should not miss chances to inspire kids with words and actions. These words and actions may not help immediately or with that particular sport, but may help down the line with another activity in their child’s life. In my book “ Raising an Athlete” I discuss many ways of providing inspiration to kids.
Instincts - This is not as obvious a concept as inspiration but is an appropriate one when it comes to athletics. Some kids just seem to have good instincts at a particular sport and others not as much. The good new is that instincts can be developed. The biggest key to developing these is by playing actual game competition. Practice is always necessary for skill developmnet but insticts usually need game experience to develop them. When I grew up many of these instincts were developed at the local fields playing continaully in unorganized games with friends. Kids these days do not tend to play in unorganized atmospheres as often so these instincts sometimes are not developed as easily. This is where the increased degree of travel ball over the last 20 years has helped kids to develop the instincts of sport.

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

ABC,s of Positive Parenting in Sports – I

Positive parenting posts:

1. ABC’s of Positive Parenting – M   Motivation – The first word that comes to mind...
2. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – Burnout – Parenting Advice   Burnout – Another common word when talking about yout...
3. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – W Winning – The first word that comes to mind when...
4. How to Motivate Youth in Sports – Positive Parenting Actions Image by Getty Images via Daylife A few posts...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports – R Resiliency – Another one of my favorite words with regards...

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From Raising an Athlete – Jack Perconte’s second book due out September 1 -

Post from: Positive Parenting in Sports - Raising an Athlete

Reality Check – Sports Coaching

Positive parenting posts:

1. Positive Parenting Podcast with Jack Perconte Had a great time talking sports with Joe Magennis –...
2. Training for Fun – Great Blog for Moms Image by Axel Bührmann via Flickr I have been...
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 Coaching – U Understanding - ”I understand that just because a skill is easy...
5. ABC’s of Positive Parenting in Sports Coaching – Y Youth  – Things are getting tough down here at the...

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