Editor’s Note: The title of this column has been changed
from
”
Taylor Made
”
to
”
A Sideline View.
”
As the days grow shorter, the nights grow gloomier, and with the
holidays fast approaching, it’s time to curl up with a good book.
For parents, coaches and players there are several good choices
pertaining to youth sports.
Editor’s Note:
The title of this column has been changed from “Taylor Made” to “A Sideline View.”
As the days grow shorter, the nights grow gloomier, and with the holidays fast approaching, it’s time to curl up with a good book.
For parents, coaches and players there are several good choices pertaining to youth sports.
Knowledge is a good ally in understanding our society, especially in the area of athletic competition. Anytime we can add to what we already know means we can convey that to our children who are hungry to acquire and learn something new.
These choices for reading material I’ve discovered will enlighten your thinking and provide a solid foundation for dealing with your own kids or teams you’ll coach.
One of the best I’ve found is entitled “Just Let The Kids Play” which identifies the problems with the youth sports system.
Written by former NBA basketball player Bob Bigelow, it shows what causes the problems and ways to rebuild them.
For the baseball enthusiasts be sure to pick up the new book penned by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, “Parenting Young Athletes.”
Ripken’s ideas of handling certain situations, especially travel teams, is outstanding.
“Building Character and Self Esteem Through Sports” was written by Positive Coaching Alliance director Jim Thompson, and examines how you can build up your child’s emotional state without being negative or diminishing the skills they have.
Mothers are highly influential in their youngster’s sports career. Every mom will love “Home Team Advantage” by Brooke de Lench, which inspires women to confidently tackle some of the issues that occur along the way.
Sixteen under-14 soccer girls in Northern California, and the season that changed everything for them and their coach, is depicted in “The Beautiful Game” by Jonathan Littman. From the thrills and frustration to wins and losses, the season is covered from the beginning to end.
With a forward by longtime Yankees manager and new Dodger’s skipper Joe Torre, “Raising A Team Player” by Harry Sheehy and Danny Perry offers hope, perspective, life teachings and wisdom in bringing up a young athlete in today’s competitive sports world.
We sometimes overlook the kids playing sports that have disabilities. We shouldn’t, because they are as much a part of youth sports as anyone.
“Making A Place For Kids With Disabilities” by Dale Borman Funk, brings to light the challenges they face and how to make them a part of the mainstream.
Every child will suffer some type of injury as they move up levels toward high school. As parents and coaches ,we should be able recognize some of these and how to treat them. “Youth Sports Injuries” by John F Duff allows you to do just that.
If you want to begin coaching on the youth level but haven’t got a clue on where to begin, you might want to seek out “Sign Me Up!”, an informational book written by Stacy De Broff.
Ever look out on the playing field and notice one of the kids isn’t enjoying the game. Well, to better understand why, pick up “Why Johnny Hates Sports” by Fred Engh. It examines the unsettling state of youth sports in America.
Rick Wolff is an author I admire because of his keen insight. His book “Good Sports” shows parents and coaches the pitfalls in the increasingly competitive environment in youth sports.
“Surviving Youth Sports” strips away the thick layer of myth and nonsense surrounding organized sports for young people. Written by C. John McCoglin, it shows how we can give the games back to the kids.
If your gazing out the window on a cold and chilly winter’s day, try to remember what a wise old golf coach from Florida once said a few years back.
When asked why at 95-years old he was still instructing students and not retired, he replied, “Well, when I stop learning is when I’ll stop teaching.”
All the more reason for us to keep reading.
Rich Taylor has been coaching youth sports for over 25 years, is the Co-Director of the ACE Powerband national arm strengthening program and formerly scouted and coached in professional baseball. Reach him at rj********@***oo.com.
