Youth Sports Experience Essay

Over the last two decades the growth of youth sports has reflected the popularity of professional sports in our society. Sporting events and news are available to the public twenty-four hours a day on television and radio: sports are an enormous industry. The outstanding popularity of the sports industry has profoundly affected youth sports organizations. An estimated twenty-five million children age six through eighteen participate in at least one school or community based athletic program. These numbers increase exponentially as the age of boys and girls entering sports keeps falling. In order to supervise, teach and manage these athletes about 2.5 million coaches spend an average of eighty

In many American neighborhoods, while driving by, there are young children and adolescents playing outside, perhaps chasing a basketball or maybe each other. Maybe one of those children will be getting called out in to the starting line up on the massive screen at the Pepsi Center. For most this wont be the case, but for a bigger proportion of children will have the opportunity to play college sports and in some cases receive an athletic scholarship. Most importantly, these children will have the ability to pursue their dreams while doing the thing they love most. For most people, they don 't get to play past high school level, or at all. So what sets these children apart from the ones who don 't make it? How are they motivated? How do we keep our own athletic children engaged? Transitioning to examine the adolescent athlete, what can they do in order to perform at a higher level?

Participation in youth sports leagues helps teach these important lessons. Stephen D. Kenner who is the president of Little League International says in his essay Sports Teach Kids Valuable Lessons, that “But the lessons young players gain between the foul lines have guided some to become astronauts, emergency first responders, bestselling authors, military heroes, professional athletes, and even presidents of the United States.” Kids who participate in youth sports go on to do astonishing things later in life. Parents who want the best for their children later on should sign them up for youth sports. Jim Thompson, who is the founder of the not-for-profit organization known as the “Positive Coaching Alliance” says, “Competitive sports enhance life well after childhood.” This is another person that has seen the effect of youth sports on life beyond childhood. Youth sports are a vital part of the overall development as a

Youth sports have many issues that affects kids like injuries, lack of interest in the sport and most importantly bad parenting. The problem in youth sports is that parents expect too much from their children at a young age causing them to stop doing sports at the age 13, more or less. Parents are making their children play year round sports that can lead into injuries. What I’ve researched so far, many articles and journals are meant for parents to make them improve their parenting on young athletes. I’ve read that many parenting styles regarding youth sports are repetitive. In other words, many parents are making the same mistakes like being too hard on their kid or enforcing training for many hours. From my research so far there are good and bad physical and mental outcomes of kids doing sports at an early age. Many of which are mainly good but all

The National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) was created through the relationship of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in the late 1960s. NYSP intended to provided children ages 9-17 years from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with sports and educational instruction. This program was offered for 20 days over a period of four weeks during the summer, with free participation, as well as transportation to and to and from the program. Additionally, the program provided breakfast and lunch to the participants. In 2007, federal funding for NYSP was not appropriated, causing only thirty universities to provide the program in 2008. One of the universities that

Living in this world is a constantly changing affair. 30 years ago everyone knew everyone and the young respected the old. Parents would greatly exaggerate how difficult their life was as a kid and how easy we have it now. Each generation has a new story to tell. However, one element that does not change from generation to generation is high school football. Regardless of age, the effect football has had on youth is constantly rewarding. Although opposing convictions may elucidate the barbaric nature of football, the sport is adequately composed of beneficial elements. Therefore, youth should play football in order to experience the positive benefits.

Over the years, youth sports have transformed from pickup games to heavily organized sports leagues. Community recreational leagues formed, where teams played other teams from their community, or teams from surrounding comminutes. However, that was not the only option for kids. If the child was good enough and heir parents had enough money, they could join a travel team. These teams often provided more skilled competition and teammates. Travel teams have greatly increased in popularity. They are so popular, that some people believe they take away from the community aspect of children’s sports. Travel teams are so popular because many parents believe that travel teams greatly improve their child’s chances of turning into a great athlete or getting a college scholarship.

Being involved with athletics at a young age is typically looked at as being a good activity that gets children involved and gets them out for their 60 minutes of play a day. Little do many people know, there are many benefits to youth sport than just a child’s daily exercise. Along with there being many positives and benefits to youth sport, there are also negatives that can come about. Many of the benefits include physical, psychological, intellectual, and social benefits. Some of the negatives that can occur from youth sport are the possibilities of loss of self-confidence, frustration, burnout, and injuries. There are many ways to try and make sure that the youth reap all of the benefits from sport at a young age and there are certain elements that coaches, parents, and teachers should take to maximize the befits of sport.

None of it would be possible if it was not for the kid’s commitment and having fun with the support of their family. A lot of positive and exciting things have taken place and it continues to grow. One of the most exciting and supportive things that is growing is the way that Major Sports Companies show support contributing to youth sports now. Major League Baseball is spending $30 million to introduce its Play Ball program in 140 cities around the country so inner city kids can have the opportunity as everyone else. The NFL has the NFL RUSH PLAY 60 program now that sets of football camps in 60 cities across the United States. At these camps they teach more than just football. They volunteer teachers, motivational speakers, and even past and present NFL players to speak on life issues and overcoming obstacles in your life. The preach on character, being committed to having a strong work ethic, and being dedicated to doing what is right. Apparel and athletic companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour donate and equip teams, club teams, and Showcase teams with new and proper equipment to try and test out so they are fitted properly and be safe when competing at a higher level. They also offer leadership role seminars to help young athletes grow and build the right character at a young age and show good sportsmanship. If young athletes competing in competitive sports was not a good and positive thing to be a part of then I am sure companies like this would not put forth the time, money, effort if they did not see it to be important.Young children need to know how to work and earn

Most parents want their children to be the best they can be; youth sports allow this to happen. Youth sports teach kids important things that they wouldn't be taught in the classroom and most likely won't be taught at home. The teachings in sports are far greater than just how to catch or shoot a ball. Sports teach children how to become great human beings on and off the court or field. Youth sports teach children how to become skilled and passionate adults and how to overcome adversity. I believe that children should play sports all through their youth because it will help decrease childhood obesity, increase social skills, teach character skills, learn that not everyone is a winner, and keep the child out of trouble.

Nearly every child, at one point or another in his young and impressionable life, has particiapated in sports. Whether it is a pick-up basketball game at a playground after school, or organized Little League, complete with ninety-foot bases and replicated major league uniforms, sports play an intricate part of the development and maturation of a youngster. Beneath it’s presumed purity, however, lies an occasionally seedy underbelly. Win-at-all cost coaches and tyrannical, overbearing parents have turned this innocent recreational activity into a nightmarish hell for some juvenile participants, and have left many wondering if sports is a helpful or a harmful stage in a child’s life.

As I became older, entering my young teenage years in life, I took on the interest of playing sports for my middle school. I remember trying out for the girl’s basketball team in the summer going into the eighth grade. I know I had competition but I felt highly confident from the skills I gained during the previous years. Try outs were all morning and I caused my parents so much trouble from telling them in such a short notice. I anxiously waited for the final results, even though they weren’t posted on the gym door until later that evening. Later on that day I learned that I didn’t make

James plays for the number 2 boys and girls club in Washington DC. James plays for the 10 and under team. He is the teams point guard. James and the team played number 10 boys and girls club on January 30, 2016. James was a key player in the team’s success that game. The parents made him seem like he was already in high school. They would cheer and slap hands with everyone around them win he made a shot. They would yell to the coach, to make sure their son had the ball in his hands if they wanted to win the game. The father would yell when has son missed a layup “you owe me some push-ups after the game”.

Currently over 36 million children participate in organized sports ("Youth Sports," 2015). This reason is why parents must ask themselves whether or not youth sports build character. This question is essential for parents in making the decision regarding the enrollment of their children in youth sports. Organized youth sports have been around since the early 20th century. Society has accepted that these sports generally convey values and cultivate character (Fitzpatrick, 2008).

List at least 10 positive benefits from participation in youth sports. How does your program ensure that participants gain these benefits?