No doubt many of you grew up playing youth sports benefitting from the many life lessons it teaches … teamwork, effort, attitude, resilience, persistence, humility and respect, to name a few. Now, as parents and fans, I’m sure you hope that your kids pick up on these critical life lessons.
Certainly coaches can play a key role in this training, but as parents and fans your influence is equally important. One of the very best ways is by your positive example … maintaining self-control and respect for others regardless of what happens in the game. ALL ADULTS MUST REMEMBER THIS IS A ‘GAME’ BEING PLAYED FOR THE FUN AND PERSONAL GROWTH OF THE KIDS PLAYING IT.
Enjoy the Game is a Youth Sportsmanship Education & Accountability Program, designed by retired high school coaches, to encourage fun and civility among the coaches, players, parents/fans and officials who attend youth sporting events. The goal can be summed up by T.E.A.M. … Treat Everyone As Myself.
Please take a few minutes to read through the attached Parent/Fan Training Flyer to acquaint yourself with the 4 Key Roles everyone plays in youth sporting events and several of the Poor Sportsmanship Traps to avoid. Being aware of and practicing this training will go a long way toward knowing what it means to ‘Stay in Your Lane’ and maintain a FUN and ENJOYABLE event for everyone involved.
Remember, your reaction to what you may see as a “bad call” from either your coach or an official is teaching your kids how to respond when they don’t like something. Are you teaching them to yell at and berate the person or to show respect for them by keeping your comments to yourself until an appropriate time? Your angry comments will not change the call … but they usually do embarrass your kids.
Any differences you might have with an official should go through your team’s coach. Heated confrontations between officials and parents or fans are the most common occurrences. So much so that oftentimes after these intense conflicts, many new and even experienced officials consider resigning. The very last thing youth sports needs is fewer officials given the severe shortage that already exists.
Also … each player should get the “Good Sport” Flyer below to encourage them to be a “Good Sport”. Do your part to give them a fun and healthy learning environment while they play their games.
Encourage fun and a healthy learning environment for the young athletes playing the game. Do your part and Enjoy the Game!
Hope you have a great season… WORK HARD… HAVE FUN… ENJOY THE GAME!