BEYOND THE PLAYING FIELD - TEACHING THE SKILLS OF LIFE
There is no denying the influence coaches have on the lives of young players.
One kind word of encouragement or harsh word of criticism can have a lifetime effect.

The Clipboard: Communicating with the Athlete and Their Readiness to Change

The success of any coach, at perhaps every level of competition, is determined by their ability to effectively communicate with their athletes in a mutually supporting manner. Coaches may be knowledgeable and highly organized, but without open communication skills, these attributes may never be reflected in the performance of their athletes. Included in this article are points to consider that may help coaches develop their capacity to effect desired change.

Fueling the Mind for Peak Performance

By DAVID CUTCLIFFE
Head football coach at the University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS)

The mental preparation of an athlete can be the difference between winning and losing. While winning should not be the only goal, it does play a part in a coach?s job. In addition to making their players better athletes, coaches have the job of making players better people. Good people will be mentally tougher and have a will to win in the fourth quarter. Knowing and using the following tactics can help a coach develop a winning program on all levels.

SSE #43: Exercise Effects on Children's Health

Participating in sports and/or an exercise program can be important for a child's development and health status. While too much exercise may pose health risks, more children could benefit by increasing their physical activity level.

 

Parents
Youth Sports in America: The Parental Perspective

Parents are giving "two thumbs up" to organized youth sports. That's the conclusion of a newly published report sponsored by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) and conducted by American Sports Data, Inc.

Most Parents Satisfied with Behavior at Kids' Sports Events
The results of a new national survey, sponsored by Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), has found that an average of 76% of parents of youth team players are generally satisfied with the behavior of spectators at their children's organized basketball, baseball, soccer or football games.

HEY, PARENTS, LISTEN UP!
Here are 10 rules to remember when you're on the sidelines at your kid's game.
by Rick Wolff in Sports Parents 

Nightmare Parents  

When You're the Coach, the Kids on the Team Are Sometimes the Least of Your Problems
by Brooks Clark in Sports Parents

TRAVEL TEAMS: 
Before your child joins one . . . be prepared
by Rick Wolff in Sports Parents

BUILDING A TEAM PLAYER 
TEAMWORK SKILLS LEARNED ON THE PLAYING FIELD CAN SERVE YOUR CHILD THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE
by Dr. Michael Simon in Sports Parents

SPORTS BURNOUT — AND HOW TO AVOID IT! by Mickey Rathbun
Just for Athletes

Sport is for Girls Too!
by Richard K. Stratton

Parent's Perspectives
Parenting the Female Athlete by Richard K. Stratton

Press  Release's and Articles of Interest- Sports articles and DAC in the news.

• Youth Sports And Fitness Articles
• Playing Fields in NY
• Other Articles
  

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Report
Physical Activity & Sport in the Lives of Girls

New Survey: 54% of U.S. Youngsters Play Organized Sports

NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — May 1, 2001 — More than half of all youngsters, aged 6 to 17, are members of at least one organized sports team and another 20% play team sports, but not in an organized setting — according to a new national survey sponsored by Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA).

NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — April 30, 2001 — The U.S. youngster likes to ‘try it all.' The findings of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association's (SGMA) Superstudy® (conducted by American Sports Data, Inc.) confirm that diversity is the key to youth participation in team, fitness, outdoor, and recreational pursuits.

 

Most Popular Sports for Youth Based on "Frequent" Participation (Ages 6 - 17)
	Activity	# Participants Year 2000
1.	Basketball (25+ days/year)	11,107,000
2.	Recreational Bicycling (52+ days/year)	10,695,000
3.	In-line Skating (25+ days/year)	7,679,000
4.	Recreational Swimming (52+ days/year)	7,649,000
5.	Soccer (25+ days/year)	7,255,000
6.	Baseball (25+ days/year)	4,751,000
7.	Recreational Walking (52+ days/year)	4,481,000
8.	Calisthenics (100+ days/year)	3,448,000
9.	Running/Jogging (100+ days/year)	3,368,000
10.	Freshwater Fishing (15+ days/year)	3,106,000
11.	Stretching (100+ days/year)	3,031,000
12.	Touch Football (25+ days/year)	2,901,000
13.	Slow-Pitch Softball (25+ days/year)	2,785,000
14.	Court Volleyball (25+ days/year)	2,730,000
15.	Skateboarding (52+ days/year)	2,440,000

SGMA Launches Baseball/Softball Participation Initiative

NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – September 19, 2001 – It's time to put baseball (and softball) – America's pastime – on the comeback trail. That's the battle cry of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA).

With baseball and softball participation experiencing a steady decline since 1993, SGMA's Baseball and Softball Council has formed a special committee comprised of ten baseball/softball equipment manufacturers aimed at supporting the growth of participation in the two sports. These companies have made financial contributions to develop participation opportunities. Jess Heald (Worth, Inc.) will chair the committee, while Mike Zlaket (Easton Sports) and Jim Hackett (Wilson Sporting Goods Company) will serve on the executive committee.

"Baseball and softball have been extremely popular national sports requiring little or no marketing to attract players. In fact, until 1993, the primary challenge was finding enough playing fields to accommodate the demand," said Heald. "This all changed, beginning in 1993, and participation in both baseball and softball has decreased since that year. The one major exception is girls fast pitch softball, which has enjoyed several years of strong growth. Our committee's focus will be to challenge all baseball/softball associations along with all equipment suppliers to join together in a concerted industry-wide effort to reverse these trends."

U.S. Team Sports: Current Status and Future Trends
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — July 31, 2001 — Team sports are as much a part of Americana as Mom and apple pie. The numbers speak for themselves. In 2000, 36 million American children (aged 6 - 17) played at least one team sport. Of those 36 million, 26 million (or 54% of all U.S. youngsters aged 6 - 17) played on an organized team. Those are just a few of the results of a recent study by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) which are reported in U. S. Trends in Team Sports (2001 edition).

While the overall report on the state of team sports is positive, there are two significant trends which hinder long-term growth for team sports:

(1) Many youngsters are dedicating their recreational time to alternative or extreme sports like in-line skating, skateboarding, snowboarding, etc.
(2) Too many children are remaining indoors where their time and attention are consumed by TV, video games, and the computer.

On the flip side, there are three major factors supporting growth in team sports:

(1) Far more girls are playing sports nowadays.
(2) The number of high school sports participants was greater in 2000 than in 1990.
(3) The number of “frequent” (those playing 52 days or more a year) soccer players rose by 41% from 1990 to 2000.

Listed below are other relevant details affecting the future of team sports in America:

• Basketball remains America’s most popular team sport and participation is up for the NCAA, AAU, and high schools, but the total number of players has dropped since 1997.
  
  While total volleyball play is down, frequent participation (25 days or more a year) on court/grass is up and frequent participation on sand has steadied itself.
  
  Slow-pitch softball play has dropped since ‘97, yet overall and frequent play (52 days or more a year) in fast-pitch softball is rising, especially on high school teams.
• While the total soccer-playing population has remained steady since 1997, the number of frequent players (52 or more days a year) has risen since ‘97, as has the number of average days played.
• Despite the fact the total number of baseball players has fallen to 10.9 million, high school play is up by eight percent in the last decade.

Other Pages of Interest

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Teaching and Training Advice
You think coaching is easy, check out this helpful information.
    Articles from Gatorade Sports Science Institute 
    Guide to Basketball Courts in Queens 

Chat- Now you can chat live with other people on DAC's  Website.

 

Useful Baseball Links  

Little League Baseball Rules
Youth Coaching Videos
Articles on coaching youth baseball by John T. Reed
Coaching Youth Sports A to Z

Little League-Approved Software, Videos - Learn about Where's the Play? ®, an information-packed, fun, interactive CD that teaches baseball and softball basics to boys and girls age 6-12. Great for coaching. Hitaway & more products.
www.wherestheplay.com

BASEBALL PARENT is an 8- to 20-page e-mail newsletter exclusively for the parents and coaches of youth baseball players. Published six times a year (March, April, May, June, July, and November-December), it's packed with information that's important to you.

All About Pitching Mastery with Dick Mills 
Big League pitching instruction on pitching mechanics, pitching tips, pitching grips, pitching techniques, pitching workouts, and strength training for increased velocity, better control while reducing the risk of pitching arm injuries for pitchers of all ages.

Youth Baseball Resources and Information