Children have more need for encouragement than criticism.
Make athletic participation for your child and others a positive experience.
Attempt to relieve the pressure of competition not increase it. A child is easily affected by outside influences.
Be kind to your child's coach and officials. The coach is a volunteer giving personal time and money to provide a recreational activity for your child. The coach is providing a valuable community service, often without reward other than the personal satisfaction of having served his community.
Between the exuberance of the winner and the disappointment of the loser we find a person called an official. All of them follow the same creed - to watch every move of every player and to call the game to the best of their ability. Do not openly question his/her judgment and never their honesty. He/She is a symbol of fair play, integrity and sportsmanship.
The opponents are necessary friends. Without them your child could not participate meaningfully.
Applaud good plays by your team and by members of the opposing team.
Accept the results of each game. Encourage them to:
be gracious in victory, and
turn defeat in victory by helping the child work towards improvement.
IF ATHLETES ENJOY THE GAME, WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
