Keep kids' focus on fun, fitness and sportsmanship

The high school swim invitational was moving at a quick pace, with a small but supportive group of parents watching from the bleachers. One novice swimmer from the visiting team didn't make it to the blocks in time for his start and was disqualified from his event. As the rest of his competitors readied themselves for the race, the boy's coach began to shout at the swim official across the pool.

Words were exchanged, the coach uttered a profanity, and he was promptly ejected from the pool area. The coach, certainly old enough to know better, remained defiant, drawling, "Well good, 'cause I have better things to do on a Saturday morning anyway!" His team of boys cheered him on as he left the building, apparently unaware they had been, in effect, disrespected by their own coach.

I looked around the stands at my fellow swim parents. They, like me, were staring open mouthed at the departing coach. We were all deeply embarrassed for the man, who had so obviously made a fool of himself, displaying poor sportsmanship and providing a terrible example for his own boys.

Thankfully, this coach is the exception to the rule. Coaches are generally a dedicated, selfless group who give of their time and talent to help mold young athletes into physically fit sportsmen and women. They lead by example, and have learned from experience to walk that fine line between keeping game spirits high and keeping emotions in check.

Our job as parents is to follow the coaches' lead, rooting for our kids while teaching them to respect sports officials, coaches and their fellow athletes.

Over the years, the American Academy of Pediatrics has addressed the issue of sports participation in several of its policy statements. Parents are encouraged to help coaches keep their student athletes focused on "fun, skill acquisition, safety and sportsmanship."

Tips for parents and coaches include gradually increasing training time and generally limiting a young athlete's participation to one sport per season. These practices allow youngsters to work their way into shape and help prevent overuse injuries and burnout.

Sports experts recommend that young people train for a sport no more than five days per week. Athletes should also consider taking a two- to three-month hiatus from their chosen activity during the off-season while continuing to work on strength training and general conditioning. These mini vacations help keep kids in good physical and emotional shape year-round.

The AAP also cautions parents against setting unrealistic goals for their children. Although many boys and girls enjoy training for and participating in a variety of school sports, fewer than 1 percent of high school athletes will eventually make it as professional sports figures.

Moms and dads are urged to support their kids' interest in sports without shifting emphasis from child-oriented goals to adult-oriented goals. Keep the focus on fun, fitness and sportsmanship -- and coaches, parents and most importantly, kids, will be the winners.