Importance of Sport for Youth:When Your Child Enjoys Sport

• Physical activity – health/wellness• Social development – interact with peers

– Social skills

• To develop sport and life skills• Self-esteem, self-confidence, self-worth• Opportunities for academic/character

development• Fun

Two Perspectives Sport Participation and Competition

Adults see…• $alaries/$cholarship• Pro coaches

(winning is everything)

• Box scores• Heckling as part of the

game• Hockey fights as

entertainment• Achievement by ranking

Kids see…• Fun – Play• Teachers/Mentors• Learning new stuff• Cheering – social

interaction• “I get better.”• Achievement by effort,

learning, and positive feedback

• Fun - Play

What Do Kids Look for In a Sports Program?

Fun - Play

Skill Development

Friends

Youth Drop Out of Sport Because

PressureNot enough activity

Not learningOver-emphasis on winning

No fun

Michigan State yearly study

Balance

Hockey Off-Balance

• Focus on individual achievement• Neglect of player’s thoughts, feelings, and

body• Over-analysis of hockey• Excessive number of games• Year round hockey

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Sports Specialization

Early Specialization– Skill rapidly

increases– Peak performance

attained at 15-16 years

– Inconsistent performance

– Frequent burnout– Increased chance of

injury

Multi-sport Participation

– Slower skill increases– Best performance at

age 18+– Consistent

performance– Less likely to

experience burnout– Fewer injuries

Bompa, 2000

Signs of OvertrainingThe First Steps Towards Burnout

• Disinterest in sport – no fun

• Emotional instability – mood swings, anxiety

• Physical signs – weight loss, increased htrt

• Injury – nagging injury

• Lingering muscle soreness

• Sleep loss

• Poor performances - sport, school, life

Finding Balance

1. Keep hockey performance and

participation in perspective, it is only one

aspect of his/her life

2. Focus on effort and teamwork

3. Allow the athlete to lead the way, avoid

pushing

4. Focus on play and fun, learning happens

Finding Balance (cont.)

5. Encourage life beyond the rink – school,

arts, social

6. Set a good example

7. Be part of the community and seek

professional resources as necessary

8. Balance in thinking, feeling, and action is

key to success in life and hockey

Cheering 101

Preparing to Play:A Family Adventure

• Encourage support of coaches and teammates

• Plan to arrive on time.• Check equipment before leaving house -

with your child.• Say, “Have fun - good luck.”

Game Time:What Do you Do?

• Support all players, coaches, officials, and other spectators

• Have only positive things to say“Nice pass!” “Good try!” “Great save!” “Way to work hard!”

• Trust coaches and officials– They’re human like you!

• Model good behaviors• Respect the rink• Enjoy the game!

– “Relax it’s just a game.”

On the Way Home: Questions to Ask?

• How did you play?(take the focus off of winning or losing)

• What was the best part of the game?

• What did you learn?

• Ask about aches, pains, bumps, and

bruises.

• Did you have fun?

Kids Play : A Philosophy for Adults

1. Success is found in striving for victory (effort = success).

2. Put the child’s goals before yours.

3. Let go. Let a child make his or her own decisions.

4. Be supportive.

5. Only have positive things to say at a hockey game.

6. Acknowledge child’s fears and struggles.

7. The NHL and college scholarships are great dreams. Character, self-discipline, and participation are the most valuable consequences of youth hockey.

Resources for Hockey Parents

Abraham, G. (2000). Kid’s Hockey-The Parents’ Guide

Bigelow, B. et al. (2001). Just Let The Kids Play.

Leblanc, J. & Dickson, L. (1996). Straight Talk About Children and Sports.

Smoll, F. & Smith, R. (1999). Sports for Your Child.

Lancaster, S. (2002). Fair Play: Making Organized Sports A Great Experience for Your Kids.

Kuchenbecker, S. (2000). Raising Winners: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Kids Succeed On and Off the Playing Field.

Engh, F. (2002). Why Johnny Hates Sports.

Phillips, L. & Barbara, S. (2001). The Hockey Mom’s Manual.

Murphy, S. (2000). The Cheers and the Tears.

www.sportingkid.com

Parents in Hockey – Hockey Parents Make the Difference. USA Hockey – video.

Heads Up Hockey Program – USA Hockey – video.

Committee Members

Committee Co-chairs

Dr. Alan AshareUSA Hockey Safety Committee

Rachel BakerMother

Steve BurkeNortheastern University Center for the Study of Sport in Society

Mike CheeverUSA Hockey Youth Council

Jim CooneyUSA Hockey National ACE Administrator

Dr. David CrandellPhysical Medicine

Dan EsdaleUSA Hockey Executive Board

Lyle SukeforthMass Hockey Director (posthumous)

Cheryl VerityAssistant Mass Hockey Treasurer

Kevin SullivanAsst USA Hockey Sledge Team

Dr. Adam NaylorBoston University

Athletic Enhancement Center

Committee Contact Information

Kevin Sullivan Adam Naylor

kevins839@aol.com ahnaylor@bu.edu