For the most part, organized children's sports are run by dedicated parents and coaches, but far too often, things get out of hand. Many leagues are organized by adults who have little understanding of a child's social needs and how much these needs influence a child's self-image.

Some well-meaning coaches get caught up in the standings, championships and all-star teams. The competition begins to mean more than the child. Some parents even live vicariously through their children, driving and pushing them to excel, to do better and become the star athlete. Sound familiar? If not, think about this story.

A young baseball player, after striking out, broke down in tears because he felt he let his team down. The coach tried to console the child. "Don't worry, son," he said. "Some of the best major league players have struck out in worse situations." The crying child simply said, "But they didn't have to face my father when they got home."

Youth sports can be a positive and fun experience for most children, but only if sports are seen in the right perspective. This means independent leagues run by parent volunteers with standards focusing on, above all, a child's well-being. Volunteers involved in coaching a team must undergo basic training on the responsibilities of coaching children. Parents should go through an orientation on how they can best support their children during their youth sports experience.

Safe playing conditions should be foremost. Children should always be given the chance to learn the skills of the game before being forced to compete for positions against "the early maturer" or bigger and more skilled players of the same age. Above all, no child should be made to sit on the bench the entire season.

Perhaps it isn't so ironic that almost 70% of the children who start participating as young as age 5 will have dropped out of youth sports by age 13. Most say they "burned out."

Too Much Pressure on Youth?

There is so much concern today about our dropout rate from school that drug prevention groups such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are asking if unnecessary pressures on young children result in their need to cope by experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

National standards for youth sports were developed at a national symposium by representatives of children's and youth organizations with the help of leading experts in youth sports. These standards provide youth leagues with a basis to operate sports programs in the best interest of children.

"Youth sports can be a positive and fun experience for most children, but only if sports are seen in the right perspective . . . with standards focusing on, above all, a child's well-being."

The National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) is a nonprofit association working in close to 2,000 communities through park and recreation departments, YMCA's, and Boys and Girls clubs. NYSCA is dedicated to improving sports for children.

In a combined effort to make children's sports experience more positive, a national campaign called "Say Yes To Better Sports For Kids" has been organized by national PTA and NYSCA.

What YOU Can Do

A "Say Yes" implementation kit was designed to assist PTA units and/or other community organizations in administering and overseeing the implementation of the national standards for youth sports. The kit contains a complete "How To" list of items, including a video on the "Say Yes To Better Sports For Kids" program. If your recreation agency is interested in getting a "Say Yes" program started, contact your local NYSCA state director/coordinator.

As a recreation professional, YOU can bring about the changes that will improve the quality of youth sports experience for hundreds of children in your community.

The National Standards For Youth Sports

Standard #1 — Proper Sports Environment

Parents must consider and carefully choose the proper sports environment for their child, including the appropriate age and development for participation, the type of sport, the rules in the sport, the age range of the participants,

and the proper level of physical and emotional stress.

Standard #2 — Programs Based On Well-Being Of Child

Parents must select youth sports programs that are developed and organized to enhance the emotional, physical, social and educational well-being of children.

Standard #3 — Drug & Alcohol-Free Environment

Parents must encourage a drug-and-alcohol-free environment for their children.

Standard #4 — Part of Child's Life

Parents must recognize that youth sports are only a small part of a child's life.

"Perhaps it isn't so ironic that almost 70% of the children who start participating as young as age 5 will have dropped out of youth sports by age 13. Most say they 'burned out'."

Standard #5 — Training

Parents must insist that coaches are trained and certified.

Standard #6 — Parent's 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.

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 all times.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Fred C. Engh is President and Chief Executive Officer for the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.