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By VJ Stanley, Founder of Frozen Shorts & Author of Stop the Tsunami in Youth Sports The advantages of sitting on the bench and watching have been brought up to me on numerous occasions and I would like to address the issue. It is exponentially better to play than to sit on the bench. The example of Aaron Rodgers sitting on the bench learning from Brett Farve was used as an example. In … [Read more...]

By Jennifer Garza jgarza@sacbee.com Published: Wednesday, Apr. 4, 2012 - 12:00 am | Page 4A Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of physical activity are the biggest health risks facing children today, according to a new survey of California voters. Nearly half of voters responding to a Field Poll, 48 percent, said bad eating habits and the lack of exercise are the biggest threats to … [Read more...]

By MARK HYMAN Published: January 30, 2010: At a time when sports tutors seem as plentiful as piano teachers and high school games are routinely nationally televised, Peter Barston has learned something important about youth sports. Adults may lean toward turning children’s games into an approximation of professional sports. But ask young players what they want, and the answer can be … [Read more...]

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 8:20 pm Written by: Steve Henson: Hundreds of college athletes were asked to think back: "What is your worst memory from playing youth and high school sports?" Their overwhelming response: "The ride home from games with my parents." The informal survey lasted three decades, initiated by two former longtime coaches who over time became staunch advocates for the … [Read more...]

1  Stay Active  Help your child find ways to do 30 to 60 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Try to get your child to walk to school, take the stairs whenever possible and do jumping jacks and sit-ups first thing in the morning. For some extra quality time, join in! 2 Think Small (Portions) It may seem like a good “value” to get extra-large, family size items, but they … [Read more...]

As a girl growing up in the post-Title IX era, I was extraordinarily lucky to have been involved in as many sports as I could muster the energy for. Though it was not often referenced directly, Title IX had a tremendous impact on my teammates and me. For those unfamiliar with the 1972 law, Title IX states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation … [Read more...]

Energy Drinks: What’s All the Hype About? Do you drink energy drinks before practice and games because you think it will help your performance on the field?  While you may feel a rush after drinking an energy drink, you are probably feeling the effects of caffeine and other stimulants, which are not going to give you the energy that you need to perform.  Calories in the form of … [Read more...]

This cold January in the Cascades, I was watching my daughter giggle and learn new drills on a basketball court with her coach and teammates. A whistle would be heard intermittently throughout the one-hour practice and an interesting phenomenon occurred as the girls knowingly scrambled to the sidelines to grab their water bottles and imbibe. I thought to myself, “Wow! This coach really knows the … [Read more...]

By Catherine Holecko, About.com Guide Swimming is an essential lifesaving skill, plus an excellent form of exercise. Are lessons or competition right for your child?               The basics: In competitive swimming, athletes compete using one of four strokes: freestyle (sometimes called the crawl), breaststroke, … [Read more...]

By: Natalie Hummel/Development Director Corporate Responsibility, Founder How do we teach our kids how to have an active lifestyle? As their parents, we need to model it for them. How do we do that? We live an active life style. What does this look like? Do I have to run a marathon, do extreme skiing, or hike a mountain? If that is what you are passionate about then yes, if that is not your … [Read more...]

Topic: Sports Nutrition While my first sports nutrition post focused on the basic components of sports nutrition, this post is going to introduce you to timing.  Eating the right food at the right time means that you will have the energy to perform and the nutrients you need to recover.  Ever heard of the saying, “Timing is Everything?”  This simple phrase perfectly highlights just how … [Read more...]

As a new parent, a parent very involved in youth sports and one who has acquired the majority of my life experience through sports, there are many thoughts that come to mind.  Over the years, I have coached and guided kids through sports.  I did not write this process on paper, instead, I needlessly rehearsed in my head.  Well, now the role has changed.  Being a new parent to our first son … [Read more...]