Bullying – Eject It From The Game

 I am sure you have seen the stories in the news recently about the high school football team in Sayreville New Jersey that has had the rest of their season cancelled due to bullying. This is certainly not the first time a sports team has been in the news for bullying and I am sure that there is bullying happening in locker rooms and on fields all across the country.

What exactly is bullying?

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Obviously this definition encompasses a lot of behaviors! What might this look like on a sports team?

• Hazing or initiation of new team members.
• Verbal or physical intimidation.
• Threats of violence or physical harm.
• Spreading rumors.
• Purposely excluding someone from a group activity.
• Physical harm.

Unfortunately, bullying isn’t just limited to team members. Coaches and other adults may also be directly or indirectly involved.

Confront Adversity …

“Kids that learn how to confront adversity in sports will develop a sense of self-discipline and pride in their work which will only help them take their skills to the next level.” Sports Coach Tip #29

I found this Sports Coach Tip when I was cruising around the web a couple weeks ago. It resonated with me and I wanted to pass it along. Any time kids face adversity and get through it they gain confidence and are better prepared to handle the next thing that comes along.

CoachGray.com has some great tips and other information for coaches, parents or anyone who is involved in youth sports.

Aaacckk! Helping Teen Athletes with Pre-competition Anxiety – Part 2

Photo Credit: Julean Hickenlooper

In part 1 of this post I shared ways your teen can deal with pre-competition anxiety. In part 2 we are going to talk about how your actions as a parent, coach or adult supporter can help ease your teen’s pre-competition anxiety.

Before the Competition

• Acknowledge how your teen is feeling. “Don’t worry everything will be fine” is not reassuring, it tells your teen that how they are feeling is not ok.  Let them know that you understand they are worried (nervous, anxious, or scared) and that you are confident they will be able to handle it.
• Give them some space. Your teen knows what they need to do to prepare. Let them do their thing, they will ask if they need something from you.
• If you are feeling nervous or anxious before they compete, model good ways to stay calm. If your teen sees you freaking out it will feed their anxiety.

Aaacckk!! Helping Teen Athletes with Pre-competition Anxiety – Part 1

As I was working on this post I realized that the topic was much too broad for just one post so I have broken into two. In Part 1 I mainly focus on things that teens can do (with your support) to help themselves with pre-competition anxiety. In Part 2 I will discuss more about what you as a parent or coach can do to help. Of course, I’m sure I will revisit pre-competition anxiety, and related topics, in the future.

 

 

Many of us have experienced the rush of standing on the sideline just before a competition. The noise of the crowd, last minute instructions from your coach and the excitement from the team! It can be completely invigorating … or totally overwhelming.

Everyone feels some level of nervousness or anxiety before a game or performance. Anxiety is a totally normal feeling and in many cases is helpful for competition.

We have all experienced some physical symptoms of anxiety

Words of Wisdom

 

 I love this quote … it really rings true for me.

The skills teens learn in sports really do stay with them!

Top 5 Life Skills Teens Learn From Participating in Sports

Sports remain a great metaphor for life’s more difficult lessons. It was through athletics that many of us first came to understand that fear can be tamed; that on a team the whole is more than the sum of its parts; and that the ability to be heroic lies, to a surprising degree, within.
—Susan Casey

 

Participating in sports is one probably one of the best experiences young people can have for developing life skills. Actually, I think sports participation is pretty great for people of all ages. Being part of a team teaches skills that are applicable across your life: school, relationships, work, you name it.

Just to clarify for all of you out there who are thinking “my teen plays an individual sport”, they are a part of a team. Sport does not happen in a vacuum. You have coaches, opponents, family and the other athletes you train with.

Random Bits of Inspiration

Every once in a while life throws you down and knocks you around a bit.

Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep on going.

Teens Can Do More Than Just Survive Disappointment

We’ve all been there, playing in the big game, running for student government, trying out for the school play, waiting to be asked to the dance … and it doesn’t happen. You feel crushed, angry, embarrassed and disheartened. As adults who care about young people we hate to see them have difficult experiences, but disappointment is a part of life.

Back to school … a fresh start

© Dmitriy Melnikov | Dreamstime.com

It seems like back-to-school starts earlier every year. I’m pretty sure I saw school supplies being put out in stores on the 4^th of July. Notebooks, pens, paper, binders and cute back to school clothes. You can’t go anywhere without being reminded that your summer is almost over.