As if the last 8 or 10 years hasn’t been challenging enough, now your little buddy is approaching an exciting, difficult, and quite possibly the most formative time of their young life: adolescence. There’s no instruction manual and questions regarding identity, decision-making, ethics, morality, worldview, and priorities come up as regularly as Facebook updates. Sometimes it’s a breeze but all too often parenting can feel like stumbling around in the dark in an unfamiliar room hoping to find the light switch.
Central to our mission of developing young people is partnering with parents as key allies in the growth process because we believe that youth and high school lacrosse players are more than just athletes but young people at a critical point in their life’s development.
As a coach, teacher, and youth pastor over the past 20+ years, I’ve been fortunate to work closely with parents, counselors, researchers, and school officials to help kids thrive. We’re all in this together and desire to see our children grow into happy, healthy, integrated adults.
In the Bay Area, we pride ourselves on familiarity with the latest information and up-to-date research in a variety of fields. And rightfully so! To this end, below you’ll find vital resources related to youth sports, parenting, coaching, and developing kids:
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Online Resources and Articles:
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Changing the Game Project:
The mission of Changing the Game Project is to ensure that we return youth sports to our children, and put the ‘play’ back in ‘play ball.’ We want to provide the most influential adults in our children’s lives – their parents and coaches – with the information and resources they need to make sports a healthy, positive, and rewarding experience for their children, and their whole family. Discover more here: http://changingthegameproject.com
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Challenge Success:
Based at Stanford University, Challenge Success works with schools and families to develop research-based strategies that provide kids with the academic, social and emotional skills needed to succeed now and in the future. Discover more here: http://www.challengesuccess.org
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Growing Leaders:
Growing Leaders is a non-profit organization focused on youth leadership development. Through relevant and innovative events and resources, we equip the next generation and the parents, teachers, coaches and mentors who shape their lives. Discover more here: http://growingleaders.com
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U.S. Lacrosse blog:
Our governing body often publishes articles devoted to developing youth athletes. Discover more here: http://www.uslacrosse.org/
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All Pro Dad and iMom:
All Pro Dad strives to help fathers become passionate about their role in their family’s life. iMOM exists to inspire moms to love their families well. Discover more at http://www.allprodad.com and http://www.imom.com
- The Only Six Words Parents Need to Say to Their Kids about Sports (or any performance) (Fuller Youth Institute)
- Why Player Retention is the Mark of a Good Coach (US Lacrosse)
- Why Sports Should Be Child’s Play (New York Times)
- Thirty-Five Secrets of Brilliant Coaches (Huffington Post)
- 10 Things to Teach Your Son about True Manhood (All Pro Dad)
- How to Spend 10,000 Hours (Lacrosse All Stars)
- How to Choose the Best Lacrosse Club (Baltimore Sun)
- Adults are Thinking Too Hard about How to Make Youth Sports Fun (Forbes)
- Five Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Youth Lacrosse Program (US Lacrosse)
