REFLECTION ON SPORT

What have sports contributed to

your life?

What are you hoping that your

child will take from her or his

sports experience here at

Colorado High School?

OVERVIEW

Research-based

Connecting the Athletic Department Mission with the

School Vision

To cultivate a thriving learning community that prepares students

to succeed in a dynamic world

The Champion Message:

Play…

Like a Champion…

Today!

HIGH SCHOOL SPORT CULTURE:

CAUSES FOR CONCERN

Professionalization

Over-emphasis on winning

Politics of high school coach and travel team programs.

Excessive pressure from coaches and parents

Social Media

Increasing incidents of sports “rage”

Steroid/drug and alcohol use

Team hazing/bullying

Increased burn out

Cheating

5

Players and

Parents expect

more today; &

when they don’t

receive it . . .

PROFILE OF A CHAMPION

DESIRE TO WIN

THE RIGHT WAY

PERSISTENCE &

DETERMINATION

EXCELLENCE IN ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE & CHARACTER

TEAMWORK

THE GROW APPROACH

GROW

WINNING

RELATIONSHIPS

GOALS OWNERSHIP

GROW—GOALS

Champions set challenging goals for

themselves and strive to achieve them

with all of their ability. Physical Goals: Skill Development

Mental Goals: Effort and perseverance

Sportsmanship Goals: Self Worth and Character

Suggestion: As parents, help your

athletes to set goals and to

achieve their personal best.

GROW - RELATIONSHIPS

Champions foster healthy

relationships with their

teammates, opponents,

referees, and coaches.

Suggestion: As parents,

love your children

unconditionally and

provide positive examples

by creating healthy

relationships of your own.

GROW - OWNERSHIP

Champions take responsible

ownership of their games

and lead responsibly.

The Path to Leadership:

Ownership Care

Responsibility Leadership

CHAMPION SPORT PARENTING

As parents, we must also strive to be Champions in our attitude and behavior in relation to sports. You are the primary educator of your child –this is a powerful position.

Winning is an outcome and cannot be controlled, But striving to WIN through effort, skill, discipline and persistence

all are within a player’s control.

Being a Champion Sports Parent involves fostering three different relationships: 1) Parent/Athlete relationship, 2) Parent/Sport Community relationship, and 3) Parent/Coach relationship

WHAT IF KIDS PRESSURED US LIKE

WE PRESSURE THEM….

COMMON PITFALLS

1. Stardom or Bust!

2. Living Through

Children/ Excess

Pressure

3. Instilling Guilt

DEVELOPING YOUR CHAMPION

Recognize each

child’s gifts.

Challenge your

child to try new

things and get

better.

DEVELOPING YOUR CHAMPION

Put winning and losing in perspective. Instead of did you win…did you score?

Try

What went well….highlights….did you have fun

Offer positive and specific feedback.

Positive

Statement

Corrective

Feedback

Positive

Statement

DEVELOPING YOUR CHAMPION

Send positive non-

verbal messages

Praise effort and

sportsmanship

Encourage

discovery

GAME DAY BEHAVIOR

What do you think is the

strongest predictor

of poor sports behavior?

PARENTS!

GUIDELINES FOR SIDELINES

Coaching from the sidelines

Cheering when the opponent makes a mistake

Negatively reacting to an official’s call

Cheering when a player injures an opponent

Cheering to intimidate at an important point in the game

Taunting or making disparaging remarks to an opponent

TOXIC SIDELINE BEHAVIORS POSITIVE SIDELINE BEHAVIORS

Making encouraging positive statements rather than commands

Cheering for good plays by both teams during the game

Treating the official with courtesy and respect

Congratulating an opponent on a good play

Being a gracious host at home games and a respectful visitor at away matches

Complimenting the other team despite the outcome of the game

REDEFINING PARENT ROLES

Remember to leave coaching to the coach.

Put yourself in the coach’s shoes.

Fill the emotional tank of the coach whenever possible.

Establish effective and appropriate means of

communication.

….for instance…

NUTRITION FOR ATHLETES

Discuss with your athlete the importance of nutrition and

encourage healthful behaviors.

www.sfsn.ethz.ch/PDF/pyramide/Lebensmittelpyramide_Sport_E.pdf

Be aware of complex issues regarding body image:

Eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia, body image obsessions

Calcium deficiencies: leading to a variety of issues at present

and later in life

Female Athlete Triad: disordered eating, amenorrhea and

osteoporosis

ATHLETE RISK BEHAVIORS

Steroids and Beyond… 1.6% of students (300,000 – 500,000) admitted to using steroids

71.2% of students admitted to using at least one supplement: creatine, protein powders, fat

burners, high-energy drinks or caffeine pills. (NO regulation)

Athletes are prone to drink more alcohol and drink more often than their non-athletic peers.

Reasons for Use… Boost athletic performance

Increase muscle mass and strength

Enhance physical appearance

Combat fatigue

Psychological feelings of euphoria

Peer pressure

To enhance healing

DANGERS OF ERGOGENIC AIDS

Potential dangers of dietary supplements to athletes:

Anxiety, tremors or palpitations

Dehydration

Paranoia

Insomnia

Appetite Reduction

Addiction

Increased risk of heart issues

Potential dangers of steroid usage:

Premature puberty

Mood disturbances: aggression and depression

Physical concerns: acne, testicular atrophy, breast enlargement in males,

excess body hair

Increased risk of suicide, heart attack and liver damage

PREVENTION

Why should student-athletes follow rules about

banned substances when using them can

enhance their performance?

Approach the issue from a moral perspective

Avoid preaching

Great opportunity for discussion with your child

CHAMPION COMMITTEE

√ To create parent accountability.

√ To establish new norms for hospitable parent behavior.

√ To support all participants in sport.

√ To challenge those who display toxic behaviors.

UPHOLDING THE IDEALS OF THE

PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION TODAY®

PROGRAM

REFLECT BACK…

How can we as parents connect our school mission

with our child’s athletic career?

TO PUT IT SIMPLY…

PARENT & PLAY…

LIKE A CHAMPION…

TODAY!