Kids Need to Learn Movement Without the Basketball First

Some suggest not teaching kids basketball skills prior to age 8.  Others wait to start basketball technique training until as late as age 10.
Regardless, there are basic skills a child needs to have mastered to some degree before they are ready to get too involved in learning proper basketball skill technique.

If your players are early in their basketball experience, focus on developing well-rounded athletes rather than basketball-specific athletes. It makes no sense to teach them to shoot a jump shot if they lack jumping coordination.  Likewise, teaching a child to change directions while dribbling is pointless if they have difficulty changing directions without the ball.

So, take some time to develop your players’ all-around basketball skills. Teach them to jump, run, weave, change directions, run backward, etc. while they are young.  Wait until they have mastered these skills to challenge them with proper basketball movement training.

A Couple Games That Get Kids Ready to Learn Basketball Skills

Prior to age 10, a good rule of thumb is to incorporate about 20 minutes of general movement training into your practice schedule. This time should be dedicated, not to making better basketball players, but to simply making better athletes.

Play fun basketball games that develop general skills of running, changing direction, jumping, etc.

Tag is a great game for developing multi-directional movement.  Gather your players in a confined area where they can just outrun whoever is it. This will force your players to do a lot of side-to-side movement to avoid the person who’s it.

Red-Light, Yellow-Light, Green-Light is another good game which nicely develops the ability rapidly change pace.  Have your players run in place, do lunges, or whatever. Green-Light is full speed, Yellow-Light is half speed, and Red-Light is stopped.  Mix up the lights and equip your team to change speeds quickly.

Reasons for Focusing on Movement in Young Athletes

Young children are much better at developing movement skills.  As we get older, our ability to learn new movement skills declines rapidly. Teach them a variety of movement skills early.  It will be easier for them to learn them.

As mentioned earlier, teaching movement skills young will make your players more well-rounded athletes.  The ability to quickly change directions is a skill that will help your players whether they are on your basketball court or tearing up the soccer field.  Giving them all around skills will encourage them to continue in other sports which will keep them in shape for the basketball season.

One of the more important reasons for movement training with young athletes, in my mind, is to prevent injury.  An athlete who has developed coordination in their movement skills is less likely to be injured.  And injury is something none of us wants to see in our players.

Prior to age 10, key on general movement skills training and save basketball-specific techniques for later. Your team will be better for it.

By: Tonya Krause

Training Begins at Home

In every sport, training begins at home. Sufficient rest, good nutrition, and daily activity with some structured training will prepare your child to be a strong team player. Make sure your child gets at least eight hours of rest every night and eats a well-balanced diet that includes proteins, fruits, vegetables and carbohydrates. Encourage them to avoid junk foods, caffeinated drinks and super sugary snacks like candy. If your child is playing football or involved in a football camp or program, be sure that they eat two to three hours prior to physical activity. You may also want to increase their carbohydrate and fluid intake. Carbohydrates help a child have more energy while fluids keep them hydrated between games. Football often involves “bulking up” or developing more of a muscular build. Be sure to consult your pediatrician before making any radical changes in your child’s diet. If a dietary change is recommended by your pediatrician, continue to monitor your child to determine if the change is helping them stay strong in the game.

Daily activity is very important to any aspiring athlete. Small children prepare for organized sports like youth football through daily chores and activities. Dancing, tag, and helping Dad wash the car are all experiences that stretch muscles and develop coordination as well as muscular strength. This type of activity helps small children stay fit and ready for play. Older children interested in youth football can add more structured training to their daily activities. More structured training can help an older child develop specialized skills which will enable them to become a better football player.

Football: Strength, Speed and Grip Training

The art of football involves strength, speed and grip. Professional coaches and trainers throughout the years have developed specialized exercises to help aspiring athletes achieve their physical goals. Please be sure to consult a pediatrician before implementing strength, speed or grip training into your child’s daily routine.

Strength Training involves exercises designed to improve bone and muscular strength which can protect a child from injury. Strong muscles and bones also give a child the ability to exert or resist a tackle strategy. Strength Training involves simple daily exercises such as sit-ups, push-ups, and leg curls. Many Health Organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believe that a strength training program can be very beneficial for a child and now “support children’s participation in appropriately designed and competently supervised strength training programs.”

A child between the ages of 7 to 8 who is interested in participating in an organized sporting program is ready for a basic strength training program. Help your child set aside some time each day for appropriate strength training. Warm muscles work better, so before strength training have your child do five to fifteen minutes of warm up stretching and cardiovascular movement such as jogging, bike riding or jumping jacks. Exercise time should be based on a child’s age, ability, and interest level. Teach by example and do the warm-up with them and demonstrate 3-6 strength training exercises. Below are two simple strength training exercises recommended by Coach Arthur Erickson, head football coach at Copper Hills High School, Utah.

Youth strength training

Bear Crawl: Have your child crawl on hands and feet with arms extended as if they were a bear running. This will work the muscles and joints of the upper body from the wrist to the shoulder.

Crabwalk: The player from a sitting position rises up on their hands and feet “walking backwards.” This exercise also works the upper body and focuses building the triceps of the upper arm.

Explain how each push-up or curl-up is strengthening a specific set of muscles. Help your child to understand that with each exercise their muscles are working and as they exercise regularly, the muscles will get stronger and help them be a better football player. Start off by doing just a few exercises and gradually build to 10-15 repetitions of each strength training exercise. Encourage your child to do more as they build muscular strength. Weight lifting can be added gradually as the child grows older and stronger. Monitor your child carefully so that they do not over train. Coach Erickson recommends that “participation and fun should be the goal” of any training program and that “specialized training should be reserved for a more mature body and interest level.” Twenty to thirty minutes of strength, speed and grip exercise for young children and thirty to sixty minutes for pre-teens and teens should be enough to help improve their game.

Youth Speed Training

Integrate speed training after strength training to help a child develop more agility and speed. In football the average play lasts about 5 seconds and ends in some type of collision. During these five seconds, players need to be able to move fast within short and long distances. Sprinting and jumping drills otherwise known as light polymeric exercises can help a child develop this ability to move fast. Start with short sprints of about five to fifteen yards and time your child to determine their starting speed. Train your child to understand explosive movement which involves being still and then exploding quickly into accelerated movement. Teach your child by example how to run fast by lifting the legs med-high and quick. Show them how to breathe properly by inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Run repetitious drills gradually increasing yardage distance as your child’s speed and endurance increases. Coach Karl D. Cloward, head football coach at Bingham High School, Utah , recommends basic speed training exercises of running up and down stairs, short 10 yard sprints and cone drills where cones are set up for the child to sprint and run around and back. As a child grows and masters each skill, more complicated speed drills such as the ones below can be introduced.

High Knees: Stand upright in good running posture and run a set amount of yardage while lifting the knees high. Raise the knees parallel to the ground and repeat 3 times with 30 seconds of rest between repetitions.

Power Slides: Stand upright with feet together. With the left foot, step to the left stretching the leg out. Slide the right foot to the left, keeping it lightly on the ground. Repeat the drill starting this time with the right foot. Repeat 4 times with a short rest between repetitions.

Jumping: Stand upright and jump up and try to touch your chest with your knees. Repeat 3 times.

As with strength training, be sure to monitor your child closely so that they do not over exert them sel
ves. Speed training is an important part of an effective football training program. Properly implemented speed training can enable your child to move fast, catch the ball, and avoid the tackler just behind them.

Youth Grip Training

Grip training involves exercises are designed to strengthen the hand and arms helping your child to catch and hold the football. Grip training often involves weights and enables a child to develop more specialized skills. This type of training is largely reserved for pre-teens and teens while more basic exercises can help a younger child develop stronger arms and hands. Below are some basic grip training exercises that will help your child catch that slippery ball.

Fingertip pushups: Place your hand flat on a surface and push up with your fingertips. Repeat ten times on each hand with a short rest between repetitions.

Crushing: Grab some pliers or a nutcracker and squeeze or crush it 10 times with a short rest between repetitions.

Wrist Curls: Hold your hand out flat and make a fist. Curl your hand up using the muscles of your wrist. Repeat 10 times with short rests between repetitions as needed.

In all training situations remember to watch your child carefully for signs of over exertion and strain. Organized sports should be a fun experience for each child and unfortunately overtraining can result in a bad experience. Coach Erickson says that “overtraining is a real situation and can be avoided through proper planning and prudent use of allotted training time.” Regarding overexertion, Coach Erickson “would look for lack of energy, lack of desire and injuries that increase and do not heal in a timely manner.”

Look for Signs of a Great Youth Football Program

If your child is ready to play ball, then it’s time to enroll them in a football program or camp. Summer Sport Camps keep children busy and help them learn new skills. Flag Football is very popular for both younger and older children. Flag Football allows children to become acquainted with the rules and basic fundamentals of the game without the full on-tackle experience. It also gives them the opportunity to have fun and is ideal for younger children whose bodies are not ready for constant collisions. Flag Football is also a good alternative for children with disabilities who need a less physical football experience.

For older children ready for the real thing, a national or state football program can offer more of the real football experience. The Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks, members of the NFL, offer week-long summer football camps for youth. These camps are taught by professional educators with coaching experience. Camp trainees can learn how to block, pass, form tackle, run, throw, and catch. Youth can also learn more about explosive movement and how to go from frozen stance to quick winning movements.

Local and State football programs are also available though Parks and Recreation Departments as well as local High Schools. Of course what makes any program great is the leadership involved. When investigating a football program or camp for your child, ask about the coach interview process. Programs and camps that staff coaches with more professional experience will help ensure that your child has a positive football experience.

Coach Cloward’s School, the Bingham Miners, offers a Conference Football program which is one of the most successful programs in the state of Utah. It gives children the ages of 8 to 15 years the opportunity to train and learn how to play football. Cost for this camp is $200.00 per player and includes game jersey, mouth piece, socks, as well as the use of helmet, pads, practice pants and game pants. They also offer team and individual pictures and are scheduled for a minimum of 8 regular season games.

As your child grows, continue to support them in their athletic interest. Good health habits and lots of positive emotional support can help a child follow their focus into their pre-teen and teenage years. Most high schools offer Jr. Varsity and Varsity football programs that will enable your child to further their athletic goals and interests. In any athletic program, it is important that both child and parent put school first. The NFL has a “Play It Smart” coaching program which recommends that a second academic coach is assigned to help team players make good life and academic choices. Many high schools also have their own programs in place to help team players make positive and effective life decisions.
As your child develops physical and mental football skills, you can help them make the team by supporting them in developing these ten attributes recommended by Coach Erickson.

1. Hard Worker
2. Great Effort
3. Coachable
4. Team Oriented
5. Passion or love of the Game
6. Hand-eye coordination
7. Footwork
8. Balance
9. Speed
10. Strength

In any football program it is most important that both child and parents listen to coaching instructions. The coach is there to give direct instructions that will prevent injuries and enable a child or youth to play a good game. A positive coach with good communication skills can help a child to go the distance. Parents who support the coach set a good example of team work for their child.

Youth football equipment maintenance is also important to a child’s safety and parents should be aware of the school’s equipment policies and procedures. Parents should also be aware of equipment policies and procedures in any football program or camp. Coach Erickson states that “helmets should be re-certified every two years and pads should be replaced out of a program if the protective properties have broken down over time, through use.” In any football program, the equipment should be well maintained and the coach should train team members on the proper use of each piece of equipment.

In any organized sport, the most important factor is to have fun and enjoy playing the game. Have your child learn basic football concepts first and move on to more structured training as they develop. A child that is happy and safe in an organized sporting program is a winning goal for any parent.

These links have more help to prepare your child to play youth football.

Learn more about the importance of nutrition and plan your pre-game meal.

More on strength training for the very young.

Find a flag football or regular football camp or program near you!

“Parents often feel that it’s so important to teach their kids skills like ballet, karate, baseball, and other stuff,” says Jessica Sims a local aquatic director that hosts the Red Cross Aquatics program, “that stuff is all well and good, but swimming is a skill that could potentially save their child’s life.” Sims goes on to say “Swimming is not a skill that can be learned in just one summer, it’s a skill that has to consistently be worked on.” Consistency is a big part of the American Red Cross Program as each level builds upon the next. Kids learn and practice until they advance to the next level where previously learned skills are reviewed and new skills are introduced.

Water safety is also a main focus in each level so that children can learn how to be safe in and around a pool. This program designed by a panel of aquatic experts is structured to help each child become a better and safer swimmer. Below is an in-depth overview of the six level American Red Cross Aquatics Program. This information was provided to childnparent.com courtesy of the American Red Cross National Headquarters and Jessica Sims, an aquatic director at a local facility which is an authorized provider of the American Red Cross Aquatics Program.

Parent and Child

Purpose: To help children develop Swimming Readiness The minimum age requirement for this class is six months. Instructors lead parents in water exploration activities designed to be fun and educational. Pre-school songs are used to help the child feel more comfortable blowing bubbles, floating in a semi-back float position, performing front arm motions and kicks. Spending quality time with a child in a Parent and Child Aquatic class is sure to be a memorable and fun experience.

There are no recommended pre-requisites to enter level 1 of the American Red Cross Swimming Program. Authorized providers of the American Red Cross Swimming Program will place the child based on their individual swimming skills. Basic Water Safety Rules are emphasized and taught at each skill level.

Level 1: Introduction to Water Skills Purpose: To help the children feel comfortable in the water. The child is very supported in this level by the instructor as they learn basic water safety and swimming skills. Children are taught the basic swimming arm stroke and leg kick motions and how to use them together. Children are also instructed on how to “blow bubbles” how to front and back float and how to safely enter the water without assistance. Children can have fun in this level by learning how to open their eyes and pick up a submerged object underwater. Water safety skills that are taught include how to use a life jacket, how to recognize a swimmer in distress and basic water safety rules.

Level 2: Fundamental Aquatic Skills Purpose: Give children success with fundamental skills. Level 2 enables the student to become more independent in the water, as Level 1 swimming and safety skills are reinforced and advanced. Students are taught how to tread water. Students are also taught and encouraged to practice submerging the entire head while practicing breath control as learned in level 1. Children are also taught bobbing in the water, the jellyfish float, front and back glide and how to swim using combined strokes on front and back. Water safety skills are advanced as students become familiar with wearing a life jacket in the water. Students will also learn how to recognize a swimmer in distress, and how to get help.

Level 3: Stroke Development Purpose: Build on the skills in level 2 by providing additional guided practice. This level is more advanced as the child is much more independent in the water and ready to learn a combination of more technical aquatic skills. Students are taught how to do the butterfly-kick and as well as a front and back glide. Students are also instructed in the front and back crawl. Rotary breathing is introduced and students continue to learn how to pick up submerged objects underwater. A kneeling or standing dive is introduced. Water Safety skills are further advanced with the instruction of the reach assist method and a 30 second survival float.

Level 4: Stroke Improvement Purpose: Develop confidence in the strokes learned and improve other aquatic skills. This level is designed to help the student become more proficient in the strokes they have learned so far and introduces the student to some new skills. Elementary backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly are taught and refined. The front and back crawl is also practiced. The student is exposed to safe diving rules and instructed how dive from a stride position and how to execute a shallow dive. A feet first surface dive is also taught and students are instructed in the throwing assist method.

Level 5: Stroke Refinement Purpose: Provide further coordination and refinement of strokes. This level allows the student to practice and develop endurance in strokes learned. Water safety skills are further advanced with water survival skills and rescue breathing. The standing dive is taught along with a tuck and pike surface dive. Students are instructed in open turns on front and back as well as the front and backstroke flip turn. Students continue to refine and practice the front and back crawl, elementary backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and side stroke.

Level 6 Fitness Swimmer: Swimming and Skill Proficiency Purpose: Refines the strokes so students swim with ease, efficiency, power and smoothness over greater distances.

Level 6 is designed with “menu” options. Each of these options focus on preparing students to participate on swim teams and in more advanced courses, such as Water Safety Instructor and Lifeguard Training. These options include:

Personal Water Safety

Lifeguard Readiness

Fundamentals of Diving

Fitness Swimmer

The American Red Cross also offers a program called Guard Start which is a life guarding course designed for 11 to 14 year olds. The content of the program includes multiple units in five categories: prevention, fitness, response, leadership and professionalism. The entire program totals 50 lessons and is designed to prepare students to pass the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program. To participate in Guard Start, the student must be able to:

Swim the front crawl for 25 yards continuously while breathing to the front or side.

Tread water for one minute using arms and legs

Submerge and swim a distance of 10 feet underwater.

The American Red Cross is a quality organization that offers a quality aquatics program. There are different national swimming programs available through out the country so be sure to verify before registration that is it the American Red Cross Aquatics Program. You can clink on the link below to enter your zip code and find the American Red Cross Chapter nearest you. Your local American Red Cross chapter can give you information on aquatic facilities who are authorized Red Cross providers in your area. You can also view information on other swimming programs that may be available in your area by checking out the links below.

Remember a prepared parent is a good parent. So, when those summer boredom blahs hit your house, pack up the kids, take them to the local rec and sign them up for the American Red Cross Six Level Aquatic Program. It will give your kids something fun to do, and you can have peace of mind knowing that
your kids are learning how to be safer around the water.

National American Red Cross Website. Contact your local chapter for the nearest authorized provider of the American Red Cross Aquatic Program.

Safety tips for your kids using backyard pools at Keep Kids Healthy .

Water safety tips for parents to help kids stay safe around water.

YMCA Basic information on the YMCA swimming program.

Starfish Basic information on the Starfish swimming program.

Rules of the Game

Tee ball is played by children between the ages of four and eight.  Tee ball rules are similar to baseball with each team consisting of six to eleven players.  Each team takes turns playing the infield and outfield positions. Infield players take a batting stance and bat the ball into the outfield.   The infield player runs the three bases with the goal to finish and score at home plate.

The outfield players use sporting strategy to catch the ball, guard bases and get three players out.  An infield player is out when they are tagged by a teammate carrying the ball or a baseman catches the ball before they can touch the base.  Scoring is measured by how many times an infield player can successfully reach home plate.

What is the Tee in T-Ball?

The major difference between tee ball and baseball is a batting tee.  The batting tee is placed on home plate and players take turns batting the ball off the tee.  The batting tee is ideal for small players, giving them batting experience without the fear of being hit by a fast pitch baseball.   The tee structures the batting experience, allowing small players more time to align and swing the bat with the proper batting stance.

Getting Your Child Ready to Play

A child can start preparing to play tee ball during winter and early spring by doing simple exercise drills at home.  Robynn Peterson, Program Coordinator of a local t-ball organization, recommends beginning with the soft sock ball method.

Roll up a sock into a soft ball and practice catching grounders.  Have your child stand several feet away and roll the soft sock ball in a straight line toward the child.  Have your child practice using the mitt by scooping up the sock ball in a clutch.  Point out that the clutched mitt is like an alligator with a mouth that opens and closes.  Practice of the alligator clutch will encourage the habit of squeezing the mitt whenever the ball is in it.Early spring is also a good time to practice the batting stance indoors.  Put the tee without the ball in front of the child.  Have your child hold the bat in the proper batting stance with elbows bent and clutch the batting grip with one hand above another.  Practice swinging the bat with a gliding motion, following through the top of the tee where the ball will actually sit.  This batting practice drill encourages the child to swing straighter without coming down on or under the ball.

You can use this video to teach the Squash the Bug batting method.

As the weather gets warmer, take your child outside to practice grounders, batting and running the bases.  Oftentimes small children get confused about which way to run and which base is first, second, third and home plate.  Peterson recommends having a child run the bases while yelling out which base they are on as they pass it.  This helps small children develop a directional map so they can be confident about which way to run during an actual game.

When batting off the tee outside, use a soft baseball. A hard baseball could hit a child and have a negative impact on their enthusiasm for the game.  Have your child practice batting using a real ball with a proper batting stance.  Practice swinging the bat through the tee in a smooth, gliding motion.

Practice catching by positioning the arm in an L shape with the elbow bent and the mitt held upward.  Encourage your child to squeeze the mitt with the alligator clutch every time they catch the ball. Practic outside drills throwing, catching and batting to be ready for future spring training.

The Scoop, Load and Fire fielding method on easy to learn video.

Look For Quality Equipment Tee Ball Equipment

The basic equipment for playing tee ball is:  a light weight bat, mitt, cleats, helmet and a batting tee for at home practice.  Uniforms are usually supplied by your local community organization.

Small players in tee ball need smaller equipment.  Shop selectively for a light weight, quality bat. Peterson agrees, “A big problem that I see is that often parents will buy too big of a bat and too heavy of a bat.  They need to find the lightest bat available.”

How to Find the Right Bat Size

Try this test to see if a bat is the right size for your child.  Have your child hold the bat and swing for five minutes in a proper batting stance.  Does the bat seem too heavy?  Does your child struggle to swing the bat after the second or third time?  If your answers are yes, then the bat is too heavy for your child.

Peterson recommends this method to size a bat: have your child lie down and place the bat next to them with the base of the bat at the child’s feet.  The bat should not come up past the thigh area.  If it does, then the bat is too long – not the right size for your child.

Keep in mind that quality equipment does not have to be new or expensive.  Discount sporting goods stores offer gently used equipment at a much lower price. Buying at low cost gives your child the opportunity to try the sport to see if they like it.  If your child does not enjoy the sport, gently used equipment can be resold, making it a better bargain than buying new.

Keep It Fun!

As with any sport, parents should keep realistic expectations.  Peterson agrees: “Sometimes you see too much parent involvement where they expect too much of what the kid is actually able to produce.  Every parent wants to have a kid that excels, but these young kids are going to excel at different levels.  Parents need to enumerate how fun it is and keep it fun for the kids.  Let the child make the decision of what to play and what position they would like to play.”

Playing tee ball is a fun, exciting experience.  Real world skills are developed as a child works with teammates to accomplish a common goal.  Sporting drills, fresh air and fun friend memories will make tee ball a positive experience for your child.

For Parenting Tips on Youth Soccer , Pee Wee Football and safe summer fun swimming , lessons and safety use our articles at Childn’ Parent.

Here are links to more information on tee ball:

The official site of little league t-ball , baseball and softball.  Find out more about little league in your local area.

Skills and drills plus fun free stuff for anyone learning to play t-ball.

The official site of t-ball USA.
More information on rules of the game and how to get your child involved.

A Rich Legacy

The game of ice hockey is an ancient art dated back to the early 1800s.  Adapted from the Irish game of hurling, the Mimic Indians of Nova Scotia used a hurley stick and a wooden block to play the earliest known version of ice hockey.  Some inspired young men attending the first college of Canada had a brilliant idea and decided to take their field game of hurley and put it on the local ice.  The result was a new game sensation that came to be known as ice hurley.  The local blacksmiths in the area developed the art of crafting block skates and gradually the game began to take off with people playing it in other areas of Canada such as Montreal and Kingston, Ontario.  Today, ice hockey is a well-known national sport with many amateur, professional and youth leagues throughout the world.

Rules of the Game

To find out if your child would be interested in playing ice hockey, sit down with them and review the fun, excitement and, of course, the rules of the game.  The basic skills come first and when they get better, they can play on a youth hockey team.  Let them know that as they get bigger ice hockey will be more of an exciting contact sport leading to playing on high school and league teams.

If your child is very young (4-8) do not scare them up-front with all the penalty and contact issues.  When they are ready with the basic skills, start them off in a non-contact league and address the penalty issues when they are older and advanced enough to participate in a more aggressive league.   As a parent, be informed of the rules and the penalties for your own peace of mind.

The Basic Rules of Ice Hockey

The ice rink is the playing field with the ice divided into different zones.  The red line indicates center ice with two blue lines marking off the defensive and offensive zones.  The area between the blue lines that frames the red line is called the neutral zone.  For safety purposes, the ice rink should be surrounded by boards and a bendable plastic glass known as plexiglass.  European ice hockey rinks are usually bigger than North American rinks.

Each team is allowed to have six players on the ice.  The teams are organized with five players and one goalie.  The five team mates are organized with three playing as forwards and two playing as defense.  All players, except the goalie can travel up and down between the two goals.   The goalie stays in his cage to guard the team’s goal and cannot cross the center red line located in the middle of the rink.  Players can trade off with other players during the natural flow of the game as long as the departing player is within five feet of the bench and is not actively playing or in current contact with an opponent

.
The game begins with a face off where the referee drops a puck between two forwards, one from each team.   All other players take one of the nine face off positions on the side of the defense.  A hockey stick is used to get control of the puck and pass it to other teammates to coordinate a team goal. A face-off is used to resume the game after a break.  There are three twenty minute periods and the clock is stopped during all breaks in play.  The goal of the game is to get the puck past the other team’s goalie to score a point. The team with the most points wins.

Body-checking is where an opposing player can use their shoulder, hip or torso to block an opponent while they are traveling with the puck.    Body-checks are illegal when they target the head or an opponent’s back.  Other minor penalties include tripping, holding, hooking and interfering with a player who does not have possession of the puck.  More dangerous penalties include slashing, spearing, aiming the stick at the head or face, called high-sticking and hitting a player with the long middle part of the stick, called cross-checking.   Other serious fouls include kneeing, fighting, elbowing and checking an opponent from the back.

For a minor penalty, a referee will send a player into the penalty box for two minutes and will not allow a substitute player to play in the teammates place.  For major penalties, players are quarantined for five minutes in the penalty box, again without opportunity to put in a substitute player.  For major penalties where a player attempts to injure another player, the referee has the right to eject the player from the game.  In the case of an ejection, another team mate is called to serve out the ejected player’s time in the penalty box.

Explain to your child that playing ice hockey will be fun, but it will require a personal commitment on their part to do their best and stay involved.  Explain that the game will require them to personally stretch themselves.  They will learn new things and their muscles may feel sore as they learn the new ice hockey skills.

Reviewing the rules and getting a commitment from your child in the beginning will encourage them to stay actively involved in the game.  When things get tough, you can remind your child that s/he made a commitment and with positive parental encouragement you can help your child see the commitment through.

Beginners Need a “Learn to Play” Hockey Class

Get your child involved in hockey by starting small with a “learn to play hockey” class.  Beginning hockey instruction is recommended for children between the ages of four and twelve who can skate well and have completed a learn to skate class.  Your child should enjoy skating and show an active interest in the hockey sport. Contact your local ice rink to inquire about class times, schedules and instructors.

The Utah Olympic Oval, one of the best known U.S. Olympic Training Sites, features just such a class with a lesson and skill development program established by USA Hockey.  Lessons supported by USA Hockey are considered a standard of quality and other national programs such as the Canadian National Ice Hockey Association and European Ice Hockey are available around the world.  Contact your local ice rink to find out what educational hockey association is available in your area.

Each lesson offered through USA Hockey builds upon the next lesson so that each child gradually develops playing skills th
at will allow them to participate in a youth hockey league. Classes are held twice a week for one hour and the cost is reasonable. Basic equipment such as a helmet, skates and stick are provided and are all that a child needs for these first basic lessons.  If you would like your child to have more padding during this initial class, check with your local ice rink to see if you can rent or buy it for a reasonable cost.

Hockey Gear

As your child progresses towards playing in a youth hockey league, they will need more equipment than just skates, a stick, a puck and a helmet.  When your child is serious about their hockey commitment it will be wise to start by investing in a quality pair of hockey skates.

Buying new ice skates is often a better deal than buying used.  Used skates have already conformed and lived their life around someone else’s feet.  Not only do you risk the possibility of your child getting a foot fungus, the steel blades and the boot of the skate may have already outworn their usefulness.

Buying used is a good deal if your child is young and is not sure how long they want to stay involved in the sport.  Make sure to buy skates that are gently used with a good blade and a still stiff boot for quality foot support.  The skates need to be in good enough shape to last through the initial youth league experience.
Have your child try on their hockey skates with a thin sock. Wearing a thin sock will help determine how well the skates fit around your child’s foot.  Wearing thick socks will often deceive a parent into buying a skate that is too big.   A too big skate can cause painful blisters and more serious permanent foot damage

The hockey skate should fit snugly with about two inches of grow space above the toes.  It should not feel overly painful with a too tight fight and it should not be too big.  Your child’s foot should not rattle around inside of the skate.  Bear in mind when shopping that it is always better to buy skates that are too tight rather than skates that are too big.  A slightly tight skate boot will eventually stretch to conform to your child’s foot. Skates that are too tight can also be punched and power stretched to a bigger size at a local skate shop. Do not buy a hockey skate that is too big.  Your child will not be able to balance on the skate and they will not be able to grow into the skate fast enough to make it a manageable mistake.

When shopping for new skates, look for a deal that includes a custom fit and five to six free blade sharpenings.  Throw in blade alignments and a life time of boot adjustments for $100.00 to $150.00 and you’ve got a really good deal.  New skates generally run $40.00 to $75.00 online without all these nice little extras.

When all is said and done it is much better to have your child try on the skate and wear it around the store before buying it.  Buying hockey skates through the internet is not recommended unless you are absolutely sure you know the proper size that will fit your child.  Skates are usually sized one to one half size smaller than your child’s normal shoe size.  Of course how well a skate fits your child’s foot depends on the brand name and how well they size their standard measurements.  Quality national skate brands include Bauer’s Supreme, Mission, Graf, Easton, RBK, Nike and CCM’s Vector line.

Heat fitting is a custom fit method that involves heating the boot of the skate up to 200̊and then lacing the boot tight around the skater’s foot.  This is said to ease initial boot stiffness and actually conforms the boot to your child’s foot.  Heat molded skates are considered by many coaches as “broken in” and your child can skate and play in them comfortably right away.

The traditional method of breaking in skates is to skate in them until the boot conforms to the foot.  How long it takes to break in the skates depends on the skate and how much time your child spends on the ice in one week.  If you don’t go for the custom heat fitting, talk to the salesperson about how much ice time is needed to actually break the skates in.

While skates are the most important piece of equipment that your hockey kid will own, other pieces of hockey equipment that are required for official league play include the following:

Helmet with cage (also referred to as a face mask:)  This should fit comfortably with the top of the helmet falling just above the eyebrows.  The chin should fit snugly into the bottom cup of the face mask.  Clear face masks are available for better visibility but are not recommended as heat and perspiration causes them to fog up.  The helmet should also be adjustable with a screwdriver so that the helmet can grow with your child.

Hockey Stick:  Buying a stick with some fiberglass in it will contribute to more flexibility on the ice.  The stick can be cut down so that the end will come up to your child’s chin when they are standing straight and holding the stick vertical while standing flat-footed in street shoes.  This is a standard way to determine if a hockey stick is proportional to your child’s size.   Be sure to specify if your child is right or left handed.

Gloves:  Have your child try on a pair of gloves and then grab a hockey stick.  The gloves should not be too big or too small.  The back of the glove should be well-padded to absorb all shock.  Hit the back of the glove while wearing it to determine how well the padding absorbs the shock before buying the glove.

Shin Pads:  The cap of the shin pad should be well centered on the knee cap and the bottom of the pad should hit the very tip top of the skate boot.  A pad is too short if any area above the top of the skate boot is exposed.  A pad that is too long will be uncomfortable and will cause difficulty in a player’s movements.

Hockey Pants:  Pants are sized to the waist, should fit loosely and should not hang over the shin guard by more than one to two inches.   For girls, make sure the pants fit well at the hip before checking the length.

Jersey:  They come in small, medium and large sizes.  These are usually included in the registration cost required by your local youth ice hockey league.   Some leagues may tack this on as an additional charge beyond the usual registration fees. Every jersey comes with a number that is assigned to your child and some leagues even offer matching socks.

Elbow Pads:  The elbow should fit snugly into the hard plastic cup of the pad with the bottom not extending past the top of the glove cuff.  Straps should fit without cutting off arm circulation

Shoulder Pads:  Shoulder pad
s should fit comfortably with the shoulders settling into the shoulder caps.  Your child should be able to lift their arms without having the shoulder pads poke them in the neck.  Additional padding is important in a contact league while non-padding is more important in a non-contact league.
Hockey Socks:  Hockey socks should be thin and fit well around the foot and the inside of the skate.  They come in junior and senior sizes.  Be sure to buy a pair that will not super shrink after the initial wash.

Protective Cup:  Protects the private areas of the pelvis.  This is a necessary requirement for all contact sports.

Mouth guard:  One size fits all.  Soften it up by boiling it, let it cool and then have your child grip it with their teeth while slightly warm.  The mouthpiece will conform to your child’s individual teeth.

Hockey Bag:  With all this equipment, a bag is a must!  Get a big durable one made out of nylon material and big side pockets for all those personal extras your child will need.
Additional hockey accessories:

White Tape:  Protects the end of the hockey stick which is the piece of equipment that gets the most banging around.  Have your child re-wrap the end of the hockey stick before every game.

Black Friction Tape:  Protects the blade of the hockey stick and gives the hockey stick a glue-like effect for easier control of the puck.

Throat protector:  Comes in Junior and Senior sizes.  Is not necessary but does provide additional protection for the throat.  A throat protector should not interfere with the other necessary equipment.

Blade Covers:  Protects the blades of your child’s expensive skates and protects other equipment from ripping when your child is walking around in their skates.
Pucks:  It is always good to have a few around so your child can practice.  They come in a standard 6 oz weight size.

Goalie equipment includes all of the above with the exception of a special goalie stick and additional padding to include leg pads and chest protectors.  Blocking and catching equipment is also required.
Body Checking and Safety

Ice Hockey is a thrilling sport that will help your child gain both team work and problem solving skills.  Unfortunately, it is not always a safe sport.  As a parent it is important to be informed about Body-Checking in Ice Hockey and how you can watch out for your child during the game.

Due to a serious number of facial and head injuries during the 1960s, the hockey helmet and face mask were put on the required hockey equipment list.  Although this reduced head and facial injuries, the extra equipment gave many players a false sense of security which led to more aggressive body-checking behavior.  An alarming rate of spinal cord and back injuries which accumulated after the helmet and face mask were introduced led the American Academy of Pediatrics to recommend that players under the age of 15 participate in a non-contact or non body-checking league.   For Bantum level players who are fifteen years or older, a program called fair play was implemented in many youth ice hockey programs to reduce serious body-checking injuries.

The fair play program is a rewards based system that rewards points for the team that plays fairly without accumulating unnecessary and highly dangerous body-checking penalties.   The team that accumulates more penalties is punished more aggressively by game officials.  In an official policy statement originally published by the American Academy of Pediatrics published in March 2000, Vol. 105, No. 3 on pp. 657-658 and reaffirmed on September 1, 2007 states that “the authors of this (fair play) concept believe that the system decreases penalties, intimidation and violence during hockey and creates a climate that promotes fun and player development.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics goes on to point out a particular study where the fair play program was implemented for a period of time into a youth ice hockey tournament.  The results were staggering with an injury rate that was four times higher during the portion of the tournament where the fair play rules were suspended.

Ice Hockey Leagues

If your child is older and wants to play in a youth ice hockey league, find a league that sponsors the fair play program or another program that promotes good sportsmanship to protect each and every player.  Other recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics include making sure that your child’s size and weight is a considered factor as league officials pair teams up for games.  Body-checking with someone twice your child’s size could lead to serious injuries.

Also, teach your child to never ever body check from behind. Body checking from behind is dangerous as the player cannot see it coming.  It is considered to be a serious penalty that can result in ejection from the game. If you catch someone doing it to your child, know enough as a parent to pull your child out of the game, especially if the game official does not notice or officially call it.   Keeping your child safe during the game is much more important than a team win.

Playing ice hockey, your child will learn many new skating skills and hockey team skills.  Best of all, they will learn to handle their fancy moves on ice.  They will build a healthy body, get muscle tone, make friends and have fun.  Your primary job as a parent is to equip, support, love and keep them safe while cheering all along the way!

Red Rover Red Rover

This old fashioned game involves running and stretching. Divide children into two teams with one team situated on either side of the backyard. Have the children stand in a line, face forward while stretching out their arms and clasping hands. Then one team starts the game by calling “Red Rover, Red Rover send (any child) Melissa right over.” Melissa runs to the other team and tries to break through the clasped hands. If Melissa cannot break through, she joins hands with the opposing team. If she does break through, she returns to her original team taking one player with her. The next team then takes a turn. Play the game until each child has had a running turn
.
Duck, Duck Goose

This is a fun game for preschool children which involves running and memory skills. Have the children sit in a circle. Pick one child to be it. Have the child walk around the circle tapping each child on the head saying duck. When the child is ready to run, have them tap a child and say goose. The child tapped as the goose then gets up and runs around the circle chasing the other child until he or she finds a spot in the circle to sit down. If the goose child taps the duck child before sitting down, the duck child is out. Play the game until each child has had a turn
.
The Two-Legged Relay Race

This is a great game for teamwork, running and coordination skills. Divide children into two teams and have them buddy up with a partner. Have them stand with their legs side by side. Take an old rag and tie it securely around the left leg of one partner and the right leg of the other partner. Linking arms across the shoulders have the buddies practice running across the yard. Set a starting point and have the first two teams’ race across the yard and back to the next set of buddies. Each set of buddies takes a turn tying the rag around the legs and racing across the yard. The first team to finish wins!

The Great Spoon Relay Race

This is a fun game for older and smaller children alike. It teaches hand coordination, balance and running skills. Determine fair starting and ending points of the race for each team. Set up spoons at the starting point with a small object, such as an egg, for each teammate to balance on the spoon. Divide children into two teams making a straight line at the starting point with each child lined up behind another. After yelling start, have each child pick up the spoon and balance the small object on the spoon. Have them run as quickly as they can while balancing the object to the ending point and then run back giving the next teammate a turn. Keep a container of eggs, or other small objects handy for quick replacement as the laughing, dropping and spilling occurs. The first team to finish with less drops and spills wins!

The Funny Dress up Relay Race

Get two sets of funny dress up clothes and put them in a container at the beginning point of the race. Divide the children into two teams and have them line up behind the containers. Explain that each teammate will need to put on the funny dress up clothes over their regular clothes as quickly as they can. The teammate will then race to the end of the yard and back, taking off the dress up clothes and allowing the next teammate to dress up and race. The first team to finish with all the dress up clothes back safely in the container wins!

Flashlight Hide and Seek

This is a fun outdoor night game that promotes seeking and finding skills. Give each child a flashlight and make sure that the running area is free of small barriers and obstacles, low to the ground that a child would not easily see in the dark. Ask for a volunteer to be the seeker. Give the hiding children five to ten minutes to use their flashlights and find a good hiding place behind a big tree or a rock. Have the seeker use the flashlight to try and seek out the other children. The first one that is captured in the light of the flashlight automatically becomes the next seeker. Encourage the hiding children to carefully change hiding places, using their flashlights until the seeker has caught them. This will give the seeker a better chance of finding someone in the dark.

Wally Bally

This is a fun game for older children and teenagers that combines teamwork, coordination and targeting skills. If the weather is extra warm, children will enjoy exercising while getting wet. Buy some inexpensive water balloons, fill them with water and place them in a cooler. Divide the children into two teams and place them on either side of the back yard. Have a volleyball net or some type of barrier set up that each team can use as a reference point to throw the water balloon over. Give each team a towel and have the starting team place the water balloon in the towel and throw it over to the opposing team. The opposing team’s main objective is to catch the water balloon in the towel and re-launch it over the net or barrier to the opposing team. Points are scored when the water balloon misses the opposing team’s towel and breaks on impact giving teammates a refreshing sprinkle.

Playing games with your kids is a great way to bond with them and teach them important rules of fair play. Before playing any game, explain the rules clearly and encourage good sportsmanship. Having fun in the sun with your child and their friends is a great way to show your child that exercise can be fun!

For more fun games and sports, check out the links below!

Childn’Parent has parenting tips for boy’s soccer and girl’s soccer and get ready for summer with swimming lessons!

Games at family.go , rainbow games for preschool kids, Outdoor Games ,

Getting the Gear

To play a winning game, your soccer player will need the right gear:

• Uniform in the team’s colors (Usually provided by your local soccer organization.)

• Shin Guards: Shin guards are worn on the lower leg. They come with a hard protective shield which is worn over the shin to prevent soccer ball bruises.
• To size your child for shin guards, measure the lower leg an inch below the kneecap stopping within an inch above the ankle. This measurement is the length that your child will need in shin guards. Try the shin guard on with a soccer sock to check comfort level and fit. Shin guards should never be worn during a game without a soccer sock. New shin guards run from $3 to $10 and come in a variety of colors and sizes

• Soccer Socks: Soccer socks are extra long and thick. They are sometimes worn under the shin guard on younger kids to prevent chafing.
• Soccer socks come in a choice of colors, styles and sizes. More expensive socks are made with microfibers specially designed to add extra support and keep feet dry during the heat of a game. Prices for one pair of youth soccer socks run from $3 to $7, while more expensive socks run from $7 to $18.

• Cleats: Cleats are special soccer shoes with spiky soles. The spikes provide more stability for running and making sharp turns. Cleats come in a variety of different sizes, styles and colors. Some cleats feature special designs, which manufacturers claim will help a child play a better game. When buying cleats, keep comfort and proper fit as the highest priorities. Prices for new cleats run from $15 to $60.

Quality soccer equipment does not have to be brand new. Many discount sporting good stores offer gently used equipment at a fraction of the cost. When buying used, look for quality and avoid cracked shin guards and broken spikes on cleats. Should your child change sports, gently used youth soccer equipment can be resold.

Playing It Safe

Safety during the game needs to begin at home. Have your child try on their equipment and practice running drills in the back yard. Make sure they are able to run and kick a ball comfortably with all the equipment on.

A nutritious meal or snack two to four hours before game time will give your soccer player the energy to keep going. Have them drink water before the game with frequent water breaks during the game to keep hydrated. Avoid super sugary snacks, soda pop and high concentrated energy drinks as they give a temporary, artificial feeling of energy. A nutritious snack during half time is a healthier way to keep the energy flowing.

Safety and sportsman like behavior go hand in hand. Parents should teach their child to play each position with sportsmanlike behavior. Competitiveness is important, but should never be taken to extremes. Promote good sportsmanship by encouraging your child to play effectively while maintaining their own field position. Encourage your child to listen carefully to instructions and support other teammates with positive encouragement. Having fun and developing new friendships will build memories to last a lifetime.

Coaching Your Child’s Team

Coaching your child’s soccer team can be a fun and rewarding experience. Most youth soccer organizations rely heavily on parent volunteers. Local soccer organizations usually provide a training meeting to teach basic rules of the game.

Volunteer coaches support the team by coaching practices, passing out equipment and maintaining team/parent communications. Volunteer parent coaches can make the experience fun by teaching teamwork and general soccer skills. Volunteer parent coaches can also help each boy or girl play soccer to the best of their ability. They can help players by teaching these four basic soccer positions:

· Goalkeeper: The goalkeeper defends the opposing team’s goal. The goalkeepers are the only players that can use their hands to pick up the ball and only in the goalie area. They are also the only player allowed to throw, roll, punt, or drop kick to put the ball back into play.

· Defender: Defenders, also referred to as fullbacks, play in front of the goalie and have two primary objectives: they defend and protect both the front and sides of the field. They also provide interference as the opposing team passes the ball. Fullbacks, positioned towards the front of the field, keep the rest of the team organized by encouraging other players to take their positions as the ball comes down the field.

· Midfielder: Midfielders line up between the fullbacks and forwards. Their objectives are to protect the middle of the field, recover the ball from the opposing team and support momentum toward a winning goal
.
· Forward: Forwards play in front of midfielders and their primary objective is to score a goal. Ideal soccer plays involve organized teamwork where the ball is passed from fullbacks to midfielders, and on to forwards who get to try scoring a goal. Forwards are positioned near the center of the field in defensive action and then on offense must be able to run and kick the ball quickly down the field to the team’s goal. The fastest running players are often asked to be forwards.

Playing soccer will help your child build teamwork skills. Quality soccer gear, playing it safe and coaching your child’s team will go far in creating a memorable soccer experience for you and your child

For more information on coaching soccer drills and skills, check out these helpful links. To help your child enjoy playing soccer read our article Score Big with Youth Soccer

More information on Soccer gear and what is needed to play.
Soccer drills and skills designed especially for kids.
The basics of soccer for any Parent Coach who wants to learn more!

Start with safe equipment

Keeping your child safe while skiing is the first priority. Quality equipment such as boots, skis and warm weather clothing will help ensure a safe ski experience. “One big difference between adult skiers and children is the absence of poles,” says Kevin Rogers, Manager of Canyon Sports. “It is just one less thing for a child to focus on other than their feet.” Rogers goes on to explain how important it is to “not under equip your child, just to save a buck. Ski equipment should keep up with the child’s skill level and aggressiveness.”

Ski rental shops have daily rates and some offer seasonal packages renting equipment for the entire season. “Buying the equipment is actually, very cost prohibitive.” Says Rogers, “You’re lucky to get four months out of the shoes.” Children grow and it is important that the equipment grows with them. A seasonal rental where boots, bindings and skis are checked regularly by a qualified technician keeps your child’s equipment safe on the slope. If your child grows to a larger size, the store can easily change the equipment. It is also very cost effective. Rogers agrees; “Many resorts have some form of system in place where you can ski free on a particular night or get two for the price of one. That’s why the season rental is so much better, you can pick up and go at the drop of a hat.”

Newer skis tend to be of better design. Rogers’s points out that the newer design has “actually been around for the past 11 years and there is a lot of solid science behind it.” There have been many developments since Grandma made her first run down the hill. Newer skis offer a flex or arched design to make turns effortless. The length of a ski is also shorter making the ski less awkward to navigate. Flat footed walking with the ski on is a drawback to the flex design. Caution your child. The flex ski can turn quickly and developing control is even more important.

Buying can be a good deal if the equipment is gently used. Deals can be found online and at sporting good stores for both new and gently used equipment. Use caution buying used ski equipment. No matter how good the price, the used ski equipment has to be safe for your child. Avoid thrift shop purchases since not knowing how old the equipment is can pose big maintenance problems. Ski swaps can be a better route of finding gently used skis. Hand-me down skis are also highly discouraged by professionals as not having a proper fit can be bad for your child’s skiing progress. When buying used skis look for bindings that are in good condition and a major brand that can be serviced at a local shop by a qualified technician. “Shops are certified to test only certain brands of bindings.” Says Rogers, having the binding checked is a bare minimum safety requirement.” Rogers goes on to say that “Having a qualified person perform an equipment test on the skis is more ideal.”

For saving on buying new ski equipment, look for end of season deals. “Many of the big box stores try to move their winter equipment at the end of the year,” says Rogers. Shopping for ski equipment in March can get you a good price but may pose a problem if your child has a growth spurt over the summer. Also, the on sale new equipment moves so fast that often parents are forced to pick up a piece here and a piece there and end up with equipment that is not designed to function together.

Prepare at home for skiing

Before beginning any sporting program a child should be in relatively good physical condition. Robyn Christiansen, Director of Children’s Ski Adventures Ski School, Alta Ski Resort, Alta, Utah, recommends involving children in cross training sports which offer skills that will carry over into skiing. Christiansen comments that “Gymnastics, ice skating are both sports that can carry over skills, like balancing, into the skiing experience. If you have a kid that hasn’t had much physical activity trying to ski on a mountain, well that’s a really tough day for them.”

Getting proper rest, a good meal and adequate hydration before and during skiing will ensure a better learning experience. These sensible precautions can also prevent altitude sickness. Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in higher elevations, usually anything over 7,000 feet. Symptoms include headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue and sleeplessness. “Unfortunately, we get kids all the time that have just had a Twinkie for breakfast!” says Christiansen. She goes on to say that parents who want to acclimatize their child to the altitude may want to consider getting to the resort early and “spending a night at 5,000 feet to get used to the altitude before coming up the mountain.”

To prepare your child at home for skiing, let her play and practice with the ski equipment. “Have a child play with and practice getting in and out of the equipment in a comfortable environment before bringing them to the snow is very helpful.” Says Christiansen. Children who know a little of what they are doing and feel comfortable with their equipment will be more confident in approaching the skiing experience.

Planning for the ski experience

Plan ahead when starting your child in skiing. Check the weather report and, if possible, go on a mild sunny day. Dress your child with layers of warm clothing that can be easily removed as the temperature changes. Avoid the big bulky ski coat as it will interfere in a child’s progress. Instead choose a sleeker coat design that will allow a child to move their arms more freely.

Plan the ski lessons around your child’s age and skill level. For a child with no skiing experience, look for an appropriate age group and skill level that will let them enjoy the experience with their peers. A small class with a good adult to child ratio is also important. For small children, two adults to every eight children is ideal while older, experienced children can do with less adult supervision.

For small tots, parents should really consider the one on one lesson. “For small children, particularly age three and up, a private lesson is really the best way to start.” Says Robyn Christiansen, director of the Children’s Ski Adventures Ski School, associated with the Alta Ski Resort. “Small children have not developed the formal discipline to work in groups. One on one instruction provides them with the opportunity to develop skills such as balancing, gliding, stopping and turning which they can then carry over into a group situation.” Alta also offers a one on one private lesson involving both parent and child where the parent can actually learn how to mentor their child while skiing. Professional instructors assist a parent in using proper ski terminology while teaching their child the basics of skiing.

Evaluating Ski Instructor accreditation and the overall safety level of a ski resort should also go into parental planning. Christiansen says “Unfortunately many instructors in the ski business have less e
xperience with children. Christiansen recommends that parents look for a ski instructor that has obtained the Accredited Children’s Educator Status. Instructors with this type of training receive special education about the different stages of childhood development and are better equipped to instruct children in the sport of skiing.

Timing is also important when considering ski lessons. Small tots just beginning the ski experience will only be able to handle an hour or less on the slope, while older children will be able to go longer. Christiansen points out that a ski lesson appropriately gauged to a child’s individual interest and stamina is “important to the child’s skill development.” Some children can handle two hours on the slope while others will want to go longer.

“Safety is the number one priority for resorts in the skiing industry.” States Christiansen. The most important aspect of safety is the ski lift and training a child to get on and off safely. Parents should make lift officials aware of any health conditions that may impair their child’s ability to get on and off the lift. Some ski lift seats have a safety bar, while others do not. For children first learning how to ski, parents should accompany the child on the lift. The Alta Ski Resort even requires children not experienced with the ski lift to wear a bright orange vest so that lift officials can be aware that the child may need extra assistance.

Look for skiing steals, deals and freebies

Ski Resorts are in the business to attract new customers so shop around and look for steals, deals and freebies. Many resorts offer free ski nights and custom amenities for children. Resorts also offer deals on children staying free and skiing free. They also offer package deals which include the lift pass, ski rental and a ski lesson.

Ski resorts also try to customize packages for children just learning how to ski. Some ski resorts offer an outreach program coordinated through youth groups or local school districts that includes ski rental, a ski pass, and professional ski instruction. This outreach program makes it more affordable for families to give their child a chance to learn and enjoy skiing.

Realistic expectations

In Christiansen’s experience, “realistic expectations,” are most important for parents guiding their child’s skiing experience. Christiansen states that “Parents think that it is going to be so fun and they tell their child, this is going to be fun! If they could just remember the last time they were on a mountain and how heavy the skis were and what it’s like to try and maneuver those skis! Children can get very tired.” Parents should be patient and not push their child to excel, but rather let them go at their own pace and provide lots of positive reinforcement. If a child falls down, help them up and encourage them to try and try again.

Skiing is a fun and exciting sport. Children can enjoy skiing more once the basics of getting on and off the lift, balancing, turning and basic maneuvering skills are mastered. Drills to promote the basic ski skills will advance your child’s personal development. Christiansen highly discourages rewards such as candy and hamburgers, but would rather encourage parents to give positive reinforcement as a child comes to recognize their own abilities. She goes on to say that the “coolest thing is when a child says, see, I did it! I did it! It is one of the best parts of the job because; intrinsically they are recognizing their own achievement.”

More resources for parents:

Tips on how to buy and save on ski equipment for children

Information on ski and snowboard vacation packages for the entire family.

More advice on choosing the best ski lessons for your child.

It’s important for young children to have a ball! Most children play sports for fun, and fun is largely what it’s all about. Learning a new skill, developing friendships and improving physical fitness is what every parent wants for their child. Parents should encourage young children to have fun and stick with their chosen sport. Starting a pre-school aged child in soccer can be tricky, but well worth the effort. Most young children enjoy kicking a ball and soccer is an easy sport for a three year old to participate in. Ron Preece, Program Manager for a Youth Recreation Center, states that “the season for three to four year olds is often called the watch season. We just want to get them kicking the ball and going in the right direction. Sometimes a child will start crying and whining. This in turn can lead to a frustrated parent.” Preece emphasizes the importance of parental encouragement. Help your child have fun and keep playing through the ups and downs of the game. Lay positive ground work for your child’s future sport experiences.

Three Important Concepts

Listening, learning, and participating are three important concepts of learning how to play soccer. Preece comments that, “From the ages of five to six, a child will grasp rules and concepts and the goal of actually getting the soccer ball into the goal.” Six and eight year olds have the option of moving on to more competitive soccer or continuing to play for recreational fun. As a child matures, more soccer drills can be introduced as well as more strategy. Volunteer coaches can assign positions and expect an older child to play a position with more aggressive skill. Defensive and offensive positions should be well defined in older age groups and a child should be able to understand the principal of sportsmanlike competition. “Nine and eleven year olds are really my favorite group to coach,” says Preece, “it’s because they have developed coordination and can really do a lot of different things.” Eleven to twelve year olds can focus on advanced technical skill with drills designed to improve every player’s game. Teenagers and young adults can continue to play competitively and participate in high school and city leagues. Soccer is a sport that a child can grow into as it has something for every age group.

Playing the Game

Knowing some basic rules about soccer can help a parent to offer instructive encouragement on the field and between games. The official soccer rules are often referred to as “Laws of the Game” and are revised annually by the FIFA, the organization that manages the soccer rules. The official rule book contains 17 sections and is over 70 pages long. That’s much too much information for a busy parent to absorb. A basic idea of how the game is played is all that is needed to help your child have fun and play a good game. Soccer is basically a hands free game. Players can kick the ball with their feet and even bounce it off their heads. An official soccer team usually consists of 7-11 players including a goalie. The goalie’s job is to defend the goal from any incoming kicks. The goalie is the only person on the team that is free to use their hands to block a kicked ball. Players kick the ball and try to get it into the other’s team goal while the goalie and other players guard the goal. Individual team positions include: Forwards, Fullbacks, Half-backs and Mid-Fielders. All are positioned on the field to guard the goal in a specific area. Many youth organizations adjust the rules based on the size of the field and how many players per team. For example; Preece’s recreational organization offers what they call “short sighted soccer” with 6 on 6 players and a season of seven games. Player Positions such as full back and half back are assigned by the volunteer coach. For more information on the official “Laws of the Game,” and other soccer information, be sure to check out the links below.

Playing soccer is so much more than just getting your child to and from the games. Ron Preece adds that “The number one reason to play sports and games is fun. It really is the influence of coaches and parents that take it to a different level.” Encouraging a child to have fun while learning to play soccer can help make the experience of a lifetime.

More information on the AYSO organization . Look for a local AYSO team in your area!

More information on the US Youth Soccer organization. Look for a local team in your area!

More on Soccer Rules and the official “Laws of the Game.”

Definitions of soccer terms made easy for parents!

Fun soccer coloring pages and activities to help a small child get excited about playing soccer!

Sports for kids have come a long way from the vacant lot baseball games that filled their grandparent’s childhoods. With parents and coaches often behaving badly and children suffering from over-training, society is forced to rethink the nature of youth sports.

There are still a lot of positive reasons to involve your children in organized sports. Youth sports can help children get exercise, make friends, learn to play fair, develop self-esteem, gain the social benefits of being part of the team, and most of all, just have fun.

A good youth sports program should be child-centered, not winning centered. Before 8th grade, teams should be made up of mixed skill levels with no “cuts”. There is no proof that forcing “better” players to play with those less skilled keeps them from developing their talent.

What is unhealthy for children is the win at all costs attitude found in professional and collegiate sports. This has led to prima donna players behaving badly with virtually no consequence as long as they produce on the field.

Behavior taught in children’s sports programs can carry over to other aspects of life, for good or bad. A study by the Josephson Institute of Ethics found that high school student athletes were more likely to cheat on tests or school projects than non-athletes. A majority thought that breaking the rules in an athletic competition was acceptable if you did not get caught.

A better attitude to teach your children about sports is that success is not the same thing as winning and failure is not the same as losing.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent psychology says parents play an important role in the lessons their children will take out of organized sports. Parents should provide emotional support and positive feedback.

After attending your child’s game, take time to talk to your child about the experience. Look for the positive. Help your child to have realistic expectations of his performance and to handle the disappointment of losing. Stay calm and be supportive when your child makes a mistake.
Talk about your child’s experiences with coaches, other team members, and opposing team members. Point out and praise good sportsmanship.

Most importantly, parents need to provide a  model of respectful behavior towards the coach, the officials, and opposing players. Trash talking is not part of the game.

Today’s kids also have to deal with the stresses of over-scheduling and over-training. Over-training is when a child athlete is asked to do too much physically, mentally, or both.

Signs of overtraining from the Boston Children’s Hospital sports medicine clinic:

• Slower times in distance sports like running, biking and swimming.
• Deterioration of execution in sports like figure skating or gymnastics.
• Decreased ability to achieve training goals.
• Lack of motivation to practice.
• Getting tired easily.
• Irritability and an unwillingness to cooperate at practice.

Overtraining of children can lead to overuse injuries to the bone and soft-tissue, sometimes leading to lifelong problems including abnormalities in growth and maturation.

Boston Children’s suggests kids should train no more than 18 to 20 hours a week. Any pain lasting 2 weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.  Children who drop out of sports because of competitive pressure and related mental stress may be prejudiced from further exercise leading to weight problems in the future.

Help your child develop good sportsmanship and enjoy youth sports.  Encourage participation, give support when mistakes are made, and praise good sportsmanship.  Success can be progress in improving skills, greater confidence, and the excitement of competing.

More help for parents with kids in sports at Youth-Sports.