By Mick McAndrews,
Community & Outdoor Recreation
Specialist for the U.S. Navy Morale,
Welfare & Recreation Division,
Washington, D.C.

If you really think about it, life is just a series of choices. As children, we rely on adults to make choices for us; as we grow and mature, we begin making more and more of our own choices.

We choose where to live, when and what to eat, the right types of clothes, where to work, etc. Our choices are based on a vast amount of input from an indescribable number of sources. The real key is to sort all of this information and hopefully make the "right" choice.

When the choice is made to become a parent, we take on the added responsibility to assist our children with their choices and the process begins again.

What the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) has done is to provide parents with valuable information that will help them make the "right" choice for their child's sports experience. Prior to this NYSCA effort, this information was not to be found. Parents made choices based on that they experienced in youth sports rather than on the child's physical, emotional, social and educational well-being. That was then . . . this is now!

The NYSCA has developed the National Standards for Youth Sports to assist parents in making choices. In October of 1987, 48 of the nation's leading experts gathered to address the issue of national standards. These experts included the medical and educational disciplines, psychologists, professional recreators and others intimately involved with children in sports. The National Standards are the product of this impressive "braintrust". Let's take a brief look at the first three standards. The first standard addresses the "Proper Sports Environment". This standard outlines ways of insuring that the youth sports environment will be appropriate for the age of the child to minimize physical and emotional stress. Standard #1 establishes minimum play rules, two-year age ranges (5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12), a policy for stressful post-season play, a no-cut rule and guidance for awards and keeping league standings. The right sports environment for the emotional and physical maturity of the child is the parents' first important choice.

Standard #2 "Programs Based on the Well-Being of the Child" looks at the rules, skill expectations, and competitive requirements in youth sports. For the first time ever, the national standards describe youth sports for every age group. They are: a Developmental Program for 5 and 6 year olds, Sports Introduction Program for ages 7 and 8, an Organizational Program for ages 9 and 10, and a Skill Enhancement Program for ages 11 and 12. Each of these categories have specific standards to be observed.

Standard #2 also gives parents useful information on rapid weight loss or gain, limiting collision (contact) sports, conditioning, and nutrition.

Standard #3 "Drug and Alcohol-Free Environment" is one that everyone must be concerned with. Our na-

tion is experiencing a crisis in this area and parents must know that prevention begins with early education and positive role models. This standard provides guidance that prohibits the use of alcohol, illegal substances, and tobacco by coaches and officials at all youth sports events. Parents and coach education is another important part of Standard #3.

The National Standards for Youth Sports helps parents to make the right choices for their child. What other choice is there?

The following additional Standards will be highlighted in future issues of this magazine:

Standard #4 — Part of Child's Life
Parents must recognize that youth sports are only a small part of a child's life.

Standard #5 — Training
Parents must insist that coaches are trained and certified.

Standard #6 — Parents' Active Role
Parents must make a serious effort to take an active role in the youth sports experience of their child by providing positive support as a spectator, coach, league administrator and/or caring parent.

Standard #7 — Positive Role Models
Parents must be a positive role model exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior at games, practices, and home while giving positive reinforcement to their child and support to their child's coaches.

Standard #8 — Parental Commitment
Parents must demonstrate their commitment to their child's youth sports experience by annually signing a parental code of ethics.

When the choice is made to become a parent, we take on the added responsibility to assist our children with their choices.

Standard #9 — Safe Playing Situations Parents must insist on safe playing facilities, healthful playing situations and proper first aid applications, should the need arise. Standard #10 — Equal Play Opportunity Parents, coaches, and league administrators must provide equal sports play opportunity for all youth regardless of race, creed, sex, economic status or ability. Standard #11 — Drug & Alcohol-Free Adults Parents as coaches, fans, and league administrators must be drug and alcohol-free at sporting events.

Reprinted with permission, © 1989, NYSCA YOUTH SPORT COACHES, February 1989.