Give Children a Foundation For Sports Life Success

The unprecedented, widespread option of sports participation opportunities for children is leading to an unintended consequence: kids quitting sports after bad experiences or injury. Sadly both could be avoided with adequate preparation. Youth athletics are unique for the reason that most parents feel safe sending their kids onto the playing field effectively unprepared. There is no other youthful endeavor in which such unpreparedness would be acceptable.

Children need a foundation for math, a foundation for English, a foundation for critical thinking, yet it really is somehow assumed that some pushups in Phys Ed are enough of a foundation to possess a satisfying sports experience. All children might have a rewarding time participating in team and individual sports and steer clear of injury as well by preparing a solid foundation of physical ability. This will not only result in a far more active healthy childhood: by avoiding injuries and bad experiences it can lead to an improved self-image and a more active, healthy adulthood.

Another unintended consequence of unprepared kids being thrown into sports is exclusivity. Children that are naturally more gifted or coordinated receive exclusive rights to being called "athletes", while the disappointed, unprepared kids are locked out. This leads to missing out on some incredibly valuable experiences in team play and effort, as well as chances to achieve success and strive. You can find training programs designed to teach athleticism preventing injury; that teach balance, rhythm, timing, motor control, running and jumping technique, and more.

Children shouldn't learn a sport with out a foundation. Having a foundation increases their potential for success. Thus, for example, hitting a baseball isn't best taught by giving a kid a bat and telling them to swing away. The kid first needs to know how to use their feet. Your toes start, support and power every athletic movement. Training your feet also improves all other vital areas for children's athletics. By teaching children using unstable surfaces and slant boards, as well as a good old-fashioned jumprope, they begin with a solid base upon which to create future athletic success.

A very important factor that children should never do is lift weights. Pre-teens and teens especially will be influenced by coaches and television to equate lifting heavy weights with athletic prowess, or great strength. There's no better solution to risk potentially lifelong injuries in kids than to load their bodies with an excessive amount of weight. While you can gain strength through conventional weight training exercise, it comes at a higher cost, namely sacrificing speed, which is much more very important to sports. Very rarely does the athlete who can slowly move probably the most weight come out at the top. The athlete with the best balance, fastest reaction time, and most speed will win every encounter.

Technique is invaluable for children in sports. A good coach will train kids to shoot the basketball, or throw a baseball, or swing a racket. Rarely do coaches show children how to run, or jump. These techniques allow children to approach sports with a larger potential for having a fulfilling experience, and avoiding disappointment and injury. Teaching the best way to run and jump, together with change direction, will lead to a greater enjoyment of physical exercise and a healthier lifestyle together with imbue children confidently and a confident attitude.

The availability of more sports and athletic opportunity to more children is a wonderful thing. By preparing your son or daughter for athletics the same way you prepare them for mathematics, you help not only that child but the adult they'll become. More physical exercise will result in more confidence, fewer injuries and illnesses, greater energy and ultimately happier kids. Such preparation may also demystify sports for many children, especially as they grow, permitting them to learn the long set of invaluable lessons provided by competition.

Garth has been working in the fitness industry for nearly two decades, from nutrition to exercise to equipment. Feel free to drop us a line [1] should you have any questions or comments, as well.