Most parents want to enroll their kids in sports, and kids love the thrill of running up and down the soccer or lacrosse field scoring goals. Participating in recreational sports beginning at a young age teaches kids crucial lessons including leadership, teamwork, and that it is OK to make mistakes. Yes, these lessons are valuable and necessary to proper child development, but is it worth putting children at risk for injury or potential long term brain damage? Since teenagers and younger are more susceptible to injury and the possibility of injury is lower in a practice situation rather than a game situation, age and skill requirements, along with return to play plans should be implemented in sports to help limit injuries, more specifically
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Kids under a certain age should be learning the game during practices and developing the correct skills needed to safely succeed in games. In an article explaining both the negative and positives of youth sports it is stated that, “According to physical, psychological, and cognitive development, a child should be at least 6 years of age before participating in organized team sport, such as soccer and baseball” (Merkel). Children under the age of six should kick a ball around with their dad or learn to throw a ball, not be pressured into performing at high levels. USA Hockey changed their rules for checking in 2010 for this very reason. Worry not that body contact is being eliminated altogether for kids under the age of thirteen, or what is recognized as the peewee level. Instead, they are completely eliminated body checking in games, but not in practice. A variety of “research has consistently identified a dramatically lower injury risk in practice; therefore, body checking during drills and scrimmage in practice is encouraged at the Peewee level” (Stuart). USA Hockey has developed and implemented new ways of developing skills from a younger age. Coaches are working collaboratively with players and parents to help teach young hockey player 's proper body contact, that will keep both himself or his opponent safe on the ice. Hockey Canada and USA hockey have worked together to run mandatory …show more content…
There are countless number of lessons that are taught through sports, that are hard to find anywhere else. “Many kids find stress relief on the field. KidsHealth.com explains that when people exercise or play sports, the brain releases chemicals that improve their moods” (Kaminsky). Speaking with many athletes who are involved in a variety of sports, this statement has been validated. Additional studies explain that there is “a positive correlation between students who participated in high levels of physical activity and improved academic achievement, decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes, improved weight control, and less psychologic dysfunction” (Merkel). For females specifically positive health benefits go beyond what they do for the men, helping to “reduced risk for developing breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and obesity in the future” (Guskiewicz). For anyone sports provides a foundation to help him or her grow as a person whom is social, well rounded and kind. “He will quickly learn the art of sportsmanship, sharing credit and sharing responsibility” (Kaminsky). Furthermore, according to Education.com, kids in sports learn to do what is best for the team as a whole, not just for him or her. “Children on teams discover the positive feelings associated with cheering others on and feeling proud of teammates ' accomplishments, as well as their own”
Kids under a certain age should be learning the game during practices and developing the correct skills needed to safely succeed in games. In an article explaining both the negative and positives of youth sports it is stated that, “According to physical, psychological, and cognitive development, a child should be at least 6 years of age before participating in organized team sport, such as soccer and baseball” (Merkel). Children under the age of six should kick a ball around with their dad or learn to throw a ball, not be pressured into performing at high levels. USA Hockey changed their rules for checking in 2010 for this very reason. Worry not that body contact is being eliminated altogether for kids under the age of thirteen, or what is recognized as the peewee level. Instead, they are completely eliminated body checking in games, but not in practice. A variety of “research has consistently identified a dramatically lower injury risk in practice; therefore, body checking during drills and scrimmage in practice is encouraged at the Peewee level” (Stuart). USA Hockey has developed and implemented new ways of developing skills from a younger age. Coaches are working collaboratively with players and parents to help teach young hockey player 's proper body contact, that will keep both himself or his opponent safe on the ice. Hockey Canada and USA hockey have worked together to run mandatory …show more content…
There are countless number of lessons that are taught through sports, that are hard to find anywhere else. “Many kids find stress relief on the field. KidsHealth.com explains that when people exercise or play sports, the brain releases chemicals that improve their moods” (Kaminsky). Speaking with many athletes who are involved in a variety of sports, this statement has been validated. Additional studies explain that there is “a positive correlation between students who participated in high levels of physical activity and improved academic achievement, decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes, improved weight control, and less psychologic dysfunction” (Merkel). For females specifically positive health benefits go beyond what they do for the men, helping to “reduced risk for developing breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and obesity in the future” (Guskiewicz). For anyone sports provides a foundation to help him or her grow as a person whom is social, well rounded and kind. “He will quickly learn the art of sportsmanship, sharing credit and sharing responsibility” (Kaminsky). Furthermore, according to Education.com, kids in sports learn to do what is best for the team as a whole, not just for him or her. “Children on teams discover the positive feelings associated with cheering others on and feeling proud of teammates ' accomplishments, as well as their own”