Coaches are responsible for delivering the experience of individual and team sports to our youth at all levels. More importantly, the experiences our younger athletes get is an important factor in their future participation. As the author the following article points out, we need kids to be active and organized sports is one of the major ways to be active.

If coaches deliver better sports experiences, more kids will stay with sports and attract other kids as well.






Copyright 2008
The Edmond Sun (Oklahoma)


Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News


July 12, 2008 Saturday


SECTION: SPORTS

HEADLINE: Kids in Sports

BYLINE: Bob Cortese, The Edmond Sun, Okla.


Jul. 12--One of the biggest changes I have noticed over the past 10 years is more and more disabled kids are participating in youth sports.

With this ever increasing popularity of participation youth coaches must be prepared for the change in philosophy. Allowing the children with chronic health conditions to intermingle with other kids seems to be the trend that many educators and doctors encourage.

The number of children with chronic health problems such as obesity, asthma, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and many other disabling problems, seems to be on the rise. 18 percent of children under 17 years of age are suffering from obesity. Asthma also effects a large number of our children. Six percent of our kids suffer from ADHD.

These children not only want to participate in youth sports, but need to.

The coach is the key to the success of the disabled athlete. I believe that one of the most important aspects of coaching disabled athletes with a chronic health problem is to know the mode of learning for that particular child. You find this out by talking with the parents or even the child's doctor.

Once the mode of learning is established the coach then should decide with the parents which teaching method would best be suited for the child.

Coaching kids with disabilities is not much different than coaching able-bodied children. The kids need to be treated as individuals and the coaches need to know the child's limits and their capabilities. The coaches then need to emphasize these qualities so the child will obtain, and possibly exceed the goals set for them.

There is a lot of information that is available for the coach who is working with a disabled or chronic health conditions athlete. Check out this information before you begin coaching so that you are fully informed.

This is coach Bob Cortese reminding you if you can't be a good athlete, at least be a good sport.