9 Tips on Keeping Sports Simple

Sports can provide children with wonderful lessons in respect, maturity, and teamwork. But many kids need to be taught to focus on these opportunities in order to take full advantage of them. Print out this page and hang it on your refrigerator as a reminder to keep things simple so that everybody can win!

1. The most important thing is to have fun!

2. Learning how to play the game is more important than winning or losing.

3. Be patient with yourself. Some children grow faster than others and some have better coordination earlier than others. Everyone catches up eventually.

4. Who you are as a person does not depend on your wins or losses.

5. Treat other athletes and your coaches with respect. Everyone is trying their hardest.

6. Honor the rules of the game.

7. Be a good sport.

8. Support your teammates.

9. Remember that youth sports are designed for your enjoyment. Play to please yourself and have a good time.

Source: National Sports Safety Foundation