Youth Sports - How Much Is Too Much?

Did you know that there are more children/teens playing youth sports (club, leagues, non school sports) than those playing in the local school sports here in the United States?

This week in Dallas there will be over 15,000 young girls across the U.S. competing in the Volleyball Jr. Olympics (National Volleyball Finals). Many of those middle and high school aged girls have been playing competitive volleyball for 7-8 months in a row to get to this event this week. Parents have made financial sacrifices to support their child's love of volleyball throughout the many weekend trips and several days a week in practice during that time.

Some parents see this as an opportunity to improve their child’s skills to hopefully one day get a college scholarship and, with tuition prices these days, who can blame them. Some parents just want to support their child’s love of the sport and this may be the only competitive sports opportunity through high school.

I can't speak from experience but, as an outsider looking in, I can imagine the pressure that children and parents face when it comes to how much youth sports is too much. At what point does a parent step in when they see their child struggling with over-training? The following excerpt might be helpful:

Signs of Over-training

- Slower times in distance sports such as running, cycling, and swimming
- Deterioration in execution of sports plays or routines such as those performed in figure skating and gymnastics
- Decreased ability to achieve training goals
- Lack of motivation to practice
- Getting tired easily
- Irritability and unwillingness to cooperate with teammates

Unfortunately, the tendency parents and coaches have when confronted with signs of over-training is to push the child harder. But if over-training is the culprit, any increase in training will only worsen the situation.

Training too much may eventually lead to overuse injuries in which actual damage to the bones and soft tissues occurs because the body can't recover from the repetitive physical demands placed on it by sport activity. 

U.S. Youth Soccer Coaches Connection- to read the full article, go to: www.usyouthsoccer.org

For those of you who want your child to be able to balance youthful fun, competitive sports, education and spiritual growth, there are challenges to face. Because many Sundays are filled with tournaments, as a Christian parent, how do you put "Christ first" in your life and guide your children to do the same?

Last week we completed our 3rd Annual Sports Leadership Camp at DBU. 135 high school athletes from across DFW came together from all walks of life and sports. There were volleyball, basketball, golf, football, cross country, tennis, baseball, competitive cheer & softball athletes learning additional skills and competing alongside students not from their same team. They learned what true character and leadership was about. They discussed in small groups with college athletes the frustrations and joys of trying to get excellent grades, having fun with friends while at the same time trying to be the best athlete they can to make the team or compete at a higher level.

Spiritually these 135 athletes were challenged to be bold in sharing their faith, their desire to say no to the temptations that will drag them down and away from peace with God. 35 made a first time commitment to walk in faith with Christ and surrender their actions and soul to Him.

Is there such a thing as too much sports related activities for teens? Absolutely! Can there be a balance? Sure! It is not just the parents and coaches "job" to make it happen, but here at FCA we are finding out that even teenagers are learning for themselves what is too much.

Compete hard, strong and with excellence. Train and push the muscles to stretch and grow. But know when to say, today as a family or individual we/I will start my day putting God first. Today I will grow and stretch and strive to achieve spiritual/godly excellence. Today I will pursue balance in my life.

My Camp Story

Camp.  If you have ever experienced a week away from home, meeting new friends, creating new experiences, then you probably have pleasant memories of camp.  I have been blessed to participate in camp as a child, teenager and adult.  My very first camp experience, though, was not the best.  

I was 8 years old and very shy. The church camp had a tradition of allowing you to "find" a date to walk up the side of the mountain to three crosses at the top, have a short devotion then eat ice cream at the bottom of the excursion. In order to find a date, the girls got to pick who they wanted to walk up the mountain with by chasing the boys until one was "caught". 

So the boys lined up a few yards in front of the girls.  This was terrifying to me as an 8 year old kid who had no intention of holding any girls hand up and down a mountain!  So when the word "go" was announced, I ran like there was a mountain lion chasing me.  For 5 minutes, I zigged and zagged and stayed clear of any female coming close.  I did notice a young girl approaching me. She tried but could not get me. Then she huddled with her two older sisters and all three came at me.  I know I was sweating bullets, but for another 3 minutes I managed to escape them all.  With great relief I thought I had dodged the biggest trial of my 8 year old life.  Then out of the corner of my eye I saw the three sisters approach my camp counselor.  Oh no, now their evil plans included an adult!

Needless to say, within one minute he had grabbed me and held me until the menacing, younger sister touched my shoulder and yelled.."caught!"  Yes, I was forced to hold her hand up and down the mountain but the minute we were at the bottom, no amount of ice-cream would keep me hanging around to be seen in the "light" with my arch nemesis..my date.

Is there a moral to this story?  I've not been able to find a deeper meaning, but if I had not given camp another try two years later I would probably would not have darkened the door of a camp again.  (Yes I did skip a year for fear that she might be there, but by the time I was 10, girls didn't seem as scary.)

Other than my first year at camp I have some very wonderful memories.  As an adult who has seen camp impact teens and adults in so many positive and spiritual ways, I am excited that FCA provides young athletes an opportunity to experience a life-changing week. And you can bet, while I'm the leader, there will be no girls running down boys for a hike up a mountain!

Here is an example of the impact of camp from a Dad who sent this to me about his son's experience at our Sports Leadership Camp last year at Dallas Baptist University.

          “Brad had a great time at FCA’s Sports Leadership Camp last year.  It was a wonderful experience for him on several levels.  He got to spend some time with an FCA staff person and really enjoyed getting to know him.  He gave Brad some great spiritual and football encouragement and it definitely made an impression on Brad. Brad also had a good huddle group and he enjoyed getting to know some Christian athletes from other Dallas area schools.  Additionally, Brad said that the speakers, musicians and worship sessions were great.  And finally, he really enjoyed the athletic competitions.  Overall, I do not think it could have gone better.  Brad was challenged to “step up” in his faith and he was surrounded by a relatively small group of athletes who also personally experienced that same challenge during their time at camp.  I think the FCA Sports Leadership Camp is a great concept and it fulfilled its purpose with Brad." K.L.

   

Visit www.dfwfca.org for all the details on registering for this year's camp. 

 

Are You a Good Person?

Here's my latest VYPE article. Click on copy below to enlarge.