Youth Athletic Development Movement Skills

Why Exercise and Punishment Don't Mix

One of my biggest pet peeves involves coaches or teachers who use exercise as a form of punishment. Why they do this I'm not really sure. Perhaps it's because they're only doing what they've experienced when they were growing up, but I'm also not one for excuses either. Sometimes I see coaches get so frustrated with the kids their coaching, it's almost as if they don't know what else to do, so they ask the kids to take a lap or do pushups.

It's sad to see really. The practice of ordering kids to do certain types of exercise when coaches gets frustrated  or angry only serves to turn kids off of exercise. It's not long before a young athlete begins to equate exercise as something you do when you've done something wrong, so it's not long before they develop a bad taste in their mouths and learn that exercise is not a fun thing to do.

Exercise is meant to be fun and something we want children to do, not just now, but for the rest of their lives. Our goal is to foster a love for active living in our kids, not turn them off of exercise. But that's exactly what coaches are doing day in and day out when they use exercise as a way to get back at the kids their coaching. It seems to boil down to a coach trying to control and bully his players. Attend any adult organized practice and you'll see exactly what I mean.

One question I ask the children I work with is "Who has ever done pushups before?" In most cases, everyone raises a hand. Several children will speak up and comment that it was because they did something wrong at practice. I also then ask them, "How many of you have ever been shown how to do a pushup?" All hands that were up, are now down. Is it any wonder kids groan loudly upon being asked to perform pushups?

In my opinion, one of the roles of coaches is to foster a lifelong love of physical fitness in each of the kids they coach regardless of what sport they're coaching. If they're using exercise as a form of punishment, they're doing far more harm than good and perhaps it's time they stopped coaching kids. The kids need a role model who will benefit them and help them grow as an athlete but more importantly as a person.

Thank you,

David

Is Your Child's Health at Risk?

Now that the warm weather is upon us, at least for the most part, it's critical that children and young athletes learn how to maintain healthy hydration levels. Teaching kids about the importance of hydrating is not about without holding water in an attempt to "toughen" kids up as so many coaches feel a need to do. In fact, it's sad to think that coaches, as well as some parents, judge the quality of a practice or game by how hot and sweaty their child is afterwards. Not only is it wrong, it's very unsafe for the children involved.

Please tell me; what does running a group of kids into the ground until they're so hot and sweaty that they can barely move going to teach them? This practice serves only one purpose as far as I'm concerned: to reveal that the coach in question has absolutely no idea what he or she is doing. In my opinion this coach, and there are a lot of them out there, has no business working with kids in the first place.

If you're a parent or coach and want to understand the importance of hydration for young athletes click on the link below.

The Importance of Hydration for Young Athletes

Our goal at True Youth Sports Brampton is to empower children and young athletes through a teaching based curriculum. We are dedicated to each of  our athletes' success in school, in sports and in life.

I'm pleased to offer your child a ONE WEEK FREE TRIAL to attend The Ultimate Youth Fitness and Athletic Development Experience.

Please contact me by e-mail or by telephone at 905-799-6693 to arrange your free trial.

Thank you and have a very active day.

David

Fun is Where It's At When It Comes to Kids

The complimentary weekend classes at True Youth Sports Brampton were a big hit. Over the two days we had twenty-six kids participate. It was great that the rainy weather held off so the kids could focus on being active and having fun.

The children really enjoyed themselves. They got very excited when we went to play on the playground equipment. There the children worked on developing balance, strength and coordination. It was a lot of fun; just it should be when working with kids. If kids have fun being physically active, they'll want to keep doing it. Kids also learn best when they're having fun. And for a teaching based program such as ours, it's ideal. Keep in mind that kids are not adults and they should not train like adults. In fact, kids shouldn't train at all. When it comes to kid's fitness, it's all about development, not training.

Just a reminder that our complimentary classes continue this week on Wednesday, June 16th and Friday, June 18th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at our home location at Goldcrest Public School.

If you're interested in giving your child the opportunity to participate and be a part of the ultimate youth fitness experience, please e-mail me to register.

The schedule of classes has now been posted. We're offering four different days and times for children's programming for kids ages 10-13.

Registration for our regular programming is now open. Even though our classes are held outside, space in True Youth Sports Brampton is still limited. Remember, our program is about teaching and developing kids, not mindless drilling, so in order for us to give each child the attention they deserve, we limit the number of kids in each group.

Thank you

David

True Youth Sports A Huge Hit With Kids and Parents Alike

It was a great day yesterday as True Youth Sports Brampton celebrated its inaugural session with the first of four complimentary open house sessions.

Under threatening skies and a weather forecast that included severe thunder showers, fifteen awesome boys and girls aged ten to thirteen gathered in a wet grassy field behind Goldcrest Public School to participate in the first ever session of True Youth Sports Brampton.

After a brief introduction with the parents, the children actively moved and played for ninety minutes while having a TON OF FUN! While in the children’s mind they played, unbeknownst to them, they actually worked on several components of athleticism including:

1. Dynamic Stretching

2. Flexibility

3. Balance

4. Strength
5. Coordination
6. Kinesthetic Differentiation

The wet conditions and gray like day did not damper anyone's spirit; in fact, the children's smiles and laughter provided all the sunshine we needed to make it a beautiful day.

As we gathered in our closing semi-circle to wrap up our great time together, the skies opened up and the rain began to fall, bringing the curtain down on an incredible morning.

Future complimentary sessions will be held on the following dates:

• Sunday, June 13th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 16th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 18th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To register your child in any of the above sessions for Brampton's Ultimate Youth Fitness Experience, please e-mail me today.

Thank you

Coach Dave

Bill of Rights for Young Athletes

The Bill of Rights for Young Athletes was developed in the 1980's by Dr. Vern Seefeldt, professor emeritus at the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports, and Dr. Rainier Martens, in response to growing concerns regarding the abuse of young athletes. This bill has been used by a number of national organizations as a guideline for coaches and parents.

At True Youth Sports Brampton, the Bill of Rights for Young Athletes has not only being adopted, it's strictly followed. There are many youth sport organizations that have many guidelines and rules to protect the rights of young athletes, but in most cases, they are simply a form of lip service to the parents. Not so at True Youth Sports Brampton; in fact, True Youth Sports Brampton was created as a safe and fun place for all children. We serve their needs of the children, not the needs of the adults.

The Bill of Rights for Young Athletes

1. Right to particpate in sports
2. Right to particpate at a level commensurate with each child's maturity and ability
3. Right to have qualified adult leaqdership
4. Right to play as a child and not as an adult
5. Right of children to share in the leadership and decision making process of their sport participation
6. Right to particpate in safe and healthy environments
7. Right to proper preparation for participation in sports. Right to an equal opportunity to strive for success
8. Right to be treated with dignity
9. Right to have fun in sports

If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are here to meet the needs of your child in their quest to become the best they can be, both in sport and in life.

Thank you.

David

Additonal Free Programming for Your Children

Were less than 24 hours from True Youth Sports open house where were offering free kids fitness and athletic development programming for boys and girls ages 8 -13.  In addtion to this weekends free programming, we'll also be offering free programming on Wednesday, June 16th and Friday, June 18th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

The Ultimate Youth Fitness Experience will be held at Goldcrest Public School, located at 24 Goldcrest Road in Brampton.

I'll be posting a full schedule tomorrow which will go into affect on Monday, June 21, 2010 as well as details on the monthly membership and how your child can be part of the True Youth Sports Ultimate Youth Fitness Experience.

If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I'm here to help your child develop a postive foundation in fitness and athletics that will last them a lifetime.

Thank you

David