Fall Sports Registration:
What do You Need to Know? That smell in the air, crisp colored leaves, a cuddly
sweater; FALL is almost here … Well, probably not quite for those of us in Texas, but FALL SPORTS registration is definitely upon us. It is time to register your child for the Fall sports season that will run September thru November. Most organizations have already started registering and will close registrations mid August. It is not too late to get your youth involved in an organized team sport. Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Football and Ice Hockey are among the most popular sports. Our friends at Plano Sports Authority feel there is no greater investment in our community’s youth than the development of character, fellowship and sportsmanship through sports. Whether you have preschoolers or school-aged children you can get them involved in a team sport. The sense of structure, working with others (the team) and listening to someone other than their parent (coach) are all valuable lessons that they can learn playing a team sport.
Choosing the Best Youth Sports
Program for Your Child by Jeffrey Rhoads
Source:
insideyouthsports.org
Ideally your child plays for a coach who is an excellent instructor—one who recognizes teaching opportunities and communicates lessons in a positive, uplifting manner. But in addition to a good coach, participating in a youth sports program or league that fits your child’s needs is essential to fully develop his or her skills and enjoyment of the sports experience. Choose the wrong program and you risk damaging your child’s desire to play sports.
Just as a coach should find a team role in which a young player can succeed, you must locate the youth sports program that best suits your child’s age, interests, and level of play. Only by providing your child with a progression of playing opportunities that match these
50 North Texas Kids • August 2011 •
www.NorthTexasKids.com
factors, will you provide him or her with the best sports experience.
For the youngest children playing organized sports for the first time (ages five through eight), the emphasis is primarily on fun and basic skill instruction. Fun at this level is running around with a minimum of structure and rules. Within a couple of years, your child can more fully participate in the adult version of the game and begin to learn additional individual skills and team concepts. Competition is also introduced at this level. Youth sports programs that are developmental in nature and participation-based are essential to children in both of these age groups. You should make sure that your child’s youth sports leagues emphasize these principles. As your child ages and his or her skills develop, you may see your child excel in one or more sports. You will then face the decision of placing your child in a more advanced, competitive league. Possibly your child will have the chance to play with older children. An opportunity for your child to begin specializing in a sport may also appear. In these decisions, carefully weigh the pros and cons. For a child that truly enjoys their sport and exhibits a competitive
nature, playing at higher levels with better players will usually improve their level of play. But advance your child too quickly and you risk your child’s confidence and enjoyment of the experience.
Specializing too early presents the risks of injury, burnout, and loss of crossover benefits from other sports. Several studies (most recently a 2011 study conducted by Loyola University Medical Center) have found a higher
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