Part 1: The Vital Role of Youth Sports
Observations from 50 years of playing, coaching, parenting, and doctoring in youth sports
We are in the middle of a healthcare crisis. Our sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and uncontrolled stress is manifesting in poor physical and mental health.
We often discuss the inequality in access to healthcare, but our greatest disparity lies between those who strive to improve their physical and mental health through lifestyle and those who do not.
The National Institute of Health stated, “The health benefits of physical activity are widely established, including decreased risk of disease and mental well-being. Yet many children, adolescents, and adults do not meet the minimum recommendations for physical activity.”
Research shows that the best predictor of physical activity after age 70 is participation in highschool sports. Unfortunately the data now shows that 70% of children drop out of sports by the age of 13. As a result they are missing out on the critical years to build fitness habits!
Engaging in youth sports isn't just about having fun; it's also an opportunity for kids to learn important lessons about what their bodies are capable of. They can instill lifelong habits of fitness, and they teach kids the process of acquiring new skills, teamwork, and how to be coached. The positives are clearly countless.
Why Are Kids Quitting Sports?
Most experts seem to focus on the problems of youth sports, and how to keep kids playing because of the tremendous benefits.
One problem currently being addressed is “burnout” which has been attributed to factors such as early specialization, excessive scheduling of practices and tournaments, and the pressures exerted by parents and coaches.
Putting the fun back in youth sports is a worthy goal but the problem in youth fitness goes beyond keeping sports fun. In order to keep playing, making teams, and having fun kids need to develop the skills necessary to rise to higher levels of athleticism.
In our current sports and fitness culture far too many children will be left behind. As a parent you should not wait until the school system or your local youth sports system changes. By the time change is implemented your child will be well into adulthood.
If you want to ensure that your kids are on the path to adult fitness, you need to be your child's advocate or manager. No two children are the same but for the sake of discussion in this series I will be dividing kids into three groups.
Children who are not athletic. They’re neither interested in nor do they enjoy sports
Children who are moderately athletic and enjoy sports
Children who are excellent athletes
A child is not fixed to any of these groups and may move between groups. The necessary athletic talent is widely variable depending on the chosen sport and the communities proficiency at that sport.
What If My Child is Not Athletic or Interested in Sports?
Never put your child into a permanent category. I know many adults who love participating in sports and fitness despite never playing youth sports.
Most children are introduced to recreation league sports at a young age, and early success often influences which children continue playing. Let's use soccer to illustrate how this typically unfolds.
Scenario #1
Picture a group of children surrounding the soccer ball. Occasionally, a particularly athletic child breaks away with the ball, perhaps even scoring a goal. This child experiences the exhilarating thrill of possessing the ball and achieving success, likely sparking a passion for sports at a young age.
Scenario #2
Now envision a moderately athletic child. She manages to get the ball often enough to maintain interest, enjoying the physical activity and camaraderie with her friends.
Scenario #3
Our final example is a child who might be deemed a "daisy picker." They tend to linger on the periphery of the group and rarely get the ball. Consequently, they may lose interest. Their perceived lack of "success" may not be tied to their athleticism; they might simply be more reserved or less assertive.
Why Are Some Kids More Athletic?
Factors like confidence, assertiveness, and body awareness vary among kids. Kids that grow up with siblings who play sports, may feel more motivated to play. Additionally, some children may have a physical advantage due to their size or speed. Growing up with a parent who loves soccer or another sport can also increase a child's likelihood of success if they've been playing backyard soccer from a young age.
Remember, if your child isn't interested in soccer at age 5, don't assume they won't be interested at 10, 15, or even 50. And if they don't enjoy soccer, don't assume they won't enjoy other sports in different circumstances.
As a parent, it's essential to keep in mind that the goal isn't necessarily to raise an Olympian; it's to raise a physically active child who grows into a healthy adult.
How Do We Raise Active Children?
Research shows that kids who watch their parents exercise are more likely to exercise themselves. As a parent it is not selfish to lead by example and take care of your own fitness. It is actually a great gift to your child.
It’s no different than teaching your kids to eat their vegetables, read for pleasure, or brush their teeth. If a young child sees you walking, running, or cycling then they will want to do it with you.
If they see you lifting weights, practicing yoga, or doing pushups and body weight squats, they will want to do it with you.
You’re not only instilling lifelong habits into your kids, you’re also guaranteeing that if they ever become interested in a sport they will not be held back by lack of fitness. And if they ever drop these healthy habits in the future, they will always have the basic fitness comprehension to come back to them.
Imagine your child at 40 being told by their doctor that they are prediabetic and need to improve their fitness. When challenges arise you want them to have a background and basic understanding of fitness they can always fall back on.
Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them
For kids and preteens who may not be the most athletic or sporty, there are plenty of options to keep them active. Many recreational programs offer teams tailored for those who aren't as skilled, ensuring everyone gets a chance to play. And there are lots of sports where athleticism isn't the top priority, leaving room for any kid who just wants to have fun and join in.
Most problems surface past the age of 13, where many of the opportunities listed above tend to “dry up.” This happens in part because youth sports organizations are often led by parents and coaches, who are passionate about sports and may have children involved in high school or club-level teams. While some may continue coaching at the high school level, many transition to coaching their younger children or take on a supportive role for their high school athlete.
As a result, past the age of 13 there tends to be a shortage of sports opportunities and parental leadership to organize potential activities. The good news is, you don't need to be a sports guru like Vince Lombardi to help set up sports activities for your child.
Just as a scout leader doesn't have to be an eagle scout to lead a troop and a parent doesn't have to be a college professor to homeschool, you don't need to be a professional coach to organize sports for your child. For the sake of discussion, I've come up with a few ideas, but I'd love to hear more in the comments section.
My goal is not to provide the reader with the ultimate answer but to get “ the ball rolling.” The solutions are unique and creative for every child, group of children, and community.
Hiking and Walking
Walking is fundamental to good fitness and parents can cater it to their child's interests. For example, if your child is a music lover they could listen to music as they walk. If they’re an avid reader they could listen to an audiobook as they get in their workout. For animal lovers, incorporating daily dog walks or hiking trips not only benefits the child but also promotes the well-being of the furry companion. And for those inclined towards artistic pursuits, embarking on hikes, walks, or bike rides to scenic destinations provides an opportunity to sketch, paint, or photograph the landscape, combining physical activity with creative expression.
Paintball Games
For the young video gamer, Paintball offers an exciting alternative. Paintball is a competitive shooting sport where players aim to eliminate opponents by hitting them with dyed-gelatin filled-capsules that burst on impact. While some may question the suitability of this sport in today's day and age, I argue that engaging in physical activity and friendly competition can contribute to a teenager's mental well-being and reduce the likelihood of aggression. All it takes is a motivated student leader or supportive parent to organize a team. This setup can mirror high school sports, with regular practices and weekend games. Training sessions may include a mix of cardio, agility drills, and strength training, while video games can be strategically incorporated to hone technique, strategy, and teamwork. Game days provide the perfect opportunity for players to showcase their skills and compete in a thrilling environment.
Martial Arts
Martial arts offer teenagers a fantastic way to stay active. However, many schools have turned into "belt factories," hastily awarding black belts to young children. Consequently, kids outgrow the sport prematurely, missing out on the chance to develop their skills over their teenage years and beyond. It's crucial to view martial arts as lifelong pursuits and encourage youngsters to explore various disciplines. For example, as a child earns a black belt or loses interest in Taekwondo, they should be urged to transition to judo or Jiu Jitsu. With the UFC gaining prominence as a major American sports league, there's an opportunity to capitalize on the enthusiasm surrounding martial arts. Martial arts form the backbone of the UFC. In high school, wrestling is often hailed as the "American martial art." While many high school wrestlers start training at a young age, children with a martial arts background can seamlessly transition to a wrestling team. Additionally, boxing presents another avenue for exploration. Ultimately, engaging in combat sports can instill not only physical prowess but also mental stability, nurturing a mindset of a "peaceful warrior."
Lifetime Sports
Sports like golf and tennis have always been considered lifetime sports. These are sports that people tend to keep playing long past middle age. With sports like squash, badminton, and pickleball gaining traction and even forming teams at the high school level more kids are picking up lifetime sports. While elite athleticism may be a prerequisite for excelling at the collegiate level, younger athletes who have received formal instruction or engaged in deliberate practice often hold an advantage over those who simply pick up a racket or club. Golf, in particular, boasts widespread appeal across ages and skill levels, while tennis offers divisions tailored to various proficiency levels, ensuring that anyone who enjoys playing can continue to do so.
Gym Fitness
The Real House MD encourages adults to stay fit with a combination of cardio, strength training, and flexibility. Active adults usually fall into a fitness routine based on these categories. Most turn their attention to a fitness routine after they’ve retired from their highschool or college athletic careers but there is no reason your child can not get an early start. As a teenager they can start walking, running, and weight lifting at the gym or in a home gym. They can also try yoga, pilates, and group fitness classes.
Dance
Like Martial Arts there are many genres of dance and they all require a certain level of fitness and activity. The higher levels are similar to high level sports. If a child burns out due to the intensity they may want to consider a different genre. If they are at a less intense level you may encourage an “off day” fitness program to supplement their dance schedule.
Sports Unique to Your Region
If you live by the water there are likely opportunities to join a rowing or sailing team. If you live by the mountains there may be skiing, hiking, or mountain biking. Horseback riding is another unique option if you have opportunities nearby.
Conclusion
The options are endless. What your child truly needs is a supportive parent who prioritizes fitness, assists them in discovering an activity they genuinely enjoy, and demonstrates patience as you may have difficulty at first encouraging a disinterested teenager to be active. The best thing you can do is expose them to opportunities that could lead to a healthy future.
Stay tuned for Part Two of this series: The Athletic Child.