“Price of Admission” for Participating in Youth Sports

A conversation with my three children one morning, prepping them for their "volleyball practice" this evening.

Me: "All right! You see your second favorite volleyball coach today, Mr. Andy." Their Aunt Meghan is obviously their favorite!

Kids: "YEAH! Mr. Andy!"

Me: "Let's go over the rules. Connor, give me one."

Connor: "TRY everything!"

Me: "That's right! Charlotte, give me another."

Charlotte: "Listen to the coach!"

Me: "Atta girl, Baby Girl! Alright, Chloe Bo Boloe, what's the last one?"

Chloe: "Do what the coaches say!"

Me: "Yes!"

I created these three rules specific for my kids, based on my:
🥎 33 years participating in sports at all levels: youth, high school, college, and adult recreational

🧐 16 years of researching the impact of youth sports on youth development

👩🏻‍🏫 9 years as the Faculty Athletics Representative at the University of Findlay

👩🏻‍🏫 6 years teaching Sport Psychology to hundreds of college students

🗣 8 years consulting with athletes and coaches and giving talks to teams

Given their ages and the level they're at, these are the three most important behaviors. As they get older, I'll adjust the rules for participating in youth sports.

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