Youth SportsYouth Sports

Youth Sports Program Youth Sports Program Philosophy ReviewPhilosophy Review

! Objectives#Outcomes you hope to reach with

your program.

! Principles#Pre-determined rules or actions on

how you will make judgments that become policies.

! Policies#Plans or courses of action adopted

by you and your program.

! Safe, enjoyable recreation.! Positive self-concepts and

self-esteem.! Motivate to achieve and desire to

strive for excellence.! Lifetime participation in sports.! Leadership skills.! Self-responsibility and sportsmanship.

Program Objectives Program Objectives ReviewReview(Outcomes you hope to reach with your program)(Outcomes you hope to reach with your program)

What Youth Sport is NOTNOT About:

! Entertainment for parents.! Winning games.! Competition.

Program Objectives Program Objectives ReviewReview(Outcomes you hope to reach with your program)(Outcomes you hope to reach with your program)

! Athlete-centered vs adult-centered! Recreation vs competition! Child-only vs parent involvement! Learning vs performing! Winning vs participation! Sport for all vs sport for gifted! End vs means! Quantity vs quality

Program Principles ReviewProgram Principles Review

(Pre-determined rules or actions on how you will (Pre-determined rules or actions on how you will make judgments that become policies.)make judgments that become policies.)

Program PoliciesProgram Policies

Let’s take a look at program Let’s take a look at program policies...policies...

Program PoliciesProgram Policies(Plans or courses of action adopted by you and (Plans or courses of action adopted by you and your programyour program

What do you think the goal is for program policies?

Program Policies-”Program Policies-”Program Program

ContentContent””What type of sports will be included?

! Which sports best meets your program objectives?! Which sports are contrary to your objectives! Will you include high risks sports?! What are your policies for offering sports for

different age groups, skill levels, disabilities, and genders?

! What is the process for considering requests for new sports in your program?

Who can or cannot participate?

! What is the minimum and maximum age?! Are grade levels a better way to determine

participant eligibility?! Must athletes live in a particular part of the

city?! Boys and girls participate together?! Should size and weight determine eligibility?! Can youth play on two teams at same time?! Fees? What if they cannot afford?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Athlete ”Athlete Participation Participation Guidelines”Guidelines”

Who is eligible to coach?

! What is the minimum age to be a coach?! What experiences are required to coach?! Do coaches need to be former players?! Do potential coaches need to go through

any screening process...references, criminal records

! Do you permit/encourage parent to coach?! Do you permit adults of either gender to

coach boys only, girls only or mixed teams?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Coach ”Coach Eligibility”Eligibility”

Who is eligible to officiate?

! What is the minimum age to be a referee?! What experiences are required to be a referee?! Do potential referees need to go through any

screening process...references, criminal records?

! Do you permit/encourage parent to officiate?

! Do you permit adults of either gender to officiate boys only, girls only or mixed teams?

! Do referees have to be certified?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Referee ”Referee Eligibility”Eligibility”

How should players be selected to a team?

! Will a lottery or draft system be used?! Do you permit coaches to recruit youngsters?! Do you consider skill level or ability?! Do you “cut” or eliminate?! May players request “reassignment”

to a different team?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Player ”Player Selection”Selection”

Costs and risks associated with improper or defective equipment?

! What equipment is needed to ensure participant safety and minimize risk?

! Will list of acceptable equipment be provided?! Who is responsible for checking equipment

before and during season?! Is equipment free or on rental basis?! Who provides the equipment?! What are policies for lost equipment?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Equipment ”Equipment Policies”Policies”

Own vs rent? ! Rent, lease or own....do policies change?! Will liability insurance be provided?! Who is responsible for checking the risks and

hazards at each facility?! How frequently are facilities checked?! Who opens and closes facility? Who

controls temperature, lights on and off, etc.?

! Who cancels contests due to bad weather?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Facility ”Facility Policies”Policies”

Safe and balanced participation ! When will teams be allowed to start

practicing?! Limitations on the number of practices before

the season begins?! Where will practices be held?! Upper limit on the number of minutes per

practice?! Must head coach be present at all times?! How are practices canceled?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Practice ”Practice Policies”Policies”

Safe and balanced participation ! Length of contests? ! Number of innings played, minutes

played, etc. ! Who supervises contests?! When do you stop a game when the score is

lopsided?! Mandate that every player gets to play?! Forfeits?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Contest ”Contest Policies”Policies”

Acceptable behavior ! Who determines guidelines for acceptable

behavior... you or coaches?! What is unacceptable behavior...cheating,

violence, drug/alcohol use, harassment, smoking, swearing, etc?

! What type of discipline can coach administer?

! How will you involve parents when dealing with penalties for handling misbehavior?

! How do you recognize good sportsmanship?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Participant ”Participant Behavior”Behavior”

Acceptable behavior ! Who determines guidelines for acceptable

behavior... you or coaches?! What is unacceptable behavior...cheating,

violence, drug/alcohol use, harassment, smoking, swearing, etc?

! What type of discipline can you or coach administer?

! Procedure for parents to lodge complaints about coaches, officials, etc.?

! Team prayers or expression of religious beliefs?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Adult Behavior””Adult Behavior”

Acceptable behavior ! Are parents allowed to attend practices?! Acceptable behavior at contests?! Penalties?! Procedure for coaches to lodge

complaints against parents?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Parent ”Parent Behavior”Behavior”

What type will you have? ! Will you have all-star teams, most valuable

players, etc.?! Will you give trophies, ribbons, etc. to teams

and individuals?! Will you have tournaments to identify the

best team in your program?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Awards & ”Awards & Recognition”Recognition”

Safeguarding the participants? ! Policies for proper attire?! Must helmets and other protective gear be

worn?! May rings, earrings, etc. be worn?! How do you deal with drugs and alcohol?! What about transportation to

out-of-town contest?! Must coaches know 1st aid?! Plan for medical emergencies?

Program Policies-Program Policies-”Health & ”Health & Safety”Safety”

Managing ParentsManaging Parents

Let’s take a look at parent Let’s take a look at parent responsibilities...responsibilities...

Responsibilities parents Responsibilities parents have to their child....have to their child....! Find out what child wants from sport and

from them with respect to participation.! Provide supportive atmosphere

conducive to child’s participation.! Determine when child is ready to

begin playing sports, setting limits on participation.

! Protect from abusive coach.! Help child develop realistic expectations.

Responsibilities parents Responsibilities parents have to team and have to team and program....program....! Cooperate with coaches.! Inform coaches of any physical or

health conditions that places child at risk.

! Enforce children behavior and discipline.

! Provide equipment needs.! Behave appropriately as spectators.! Volunteer as official, etc. when asked.

Some parent roles in helping to Some parent roles in helping to conduct youth sport programsconduct youth sport programs

! PA announcerPA announcer! Fund raiserFund raiser! 1st aid1st aid! Bus driverBus driver! Ticket takerTicket taker! UsherUsher! JanitorJanitor! ConcessionsConcessions

! CoachCoach! ScorekeeperScorekeeper! TimerTimer! Official/umpireOfficial/umpire! StatisticianStatistician! Facility Facility

maintenancemaintenance! ““Taxi cab” driverTaxi cab” driver! Locker room supv.Locker room supv.