SOUTH GATE YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEERLEADING: HEY AZTEC FANS!

Crowd

THIS WEBPAGE and the stories listed here are dedicated to the sports Parent/Fan.---

"When it comes to bringing out the best in the human spirit, there is nothing quite like sports. There is an intensity and a richness inherent in every sporting experience that amplifies our emotions and our connection with the moment, and, indeed, ourselves. We somehow feel more THERE, as if we are momentarily transported to a universe where the colors are more brilliant, the sounds more vibrant and pure, the emotions at once more powerful and poignant. On a very basic level that we seldom consider, it is how we wish we could feel all of the time."    

In reviewing these stories, there is a common thread of sports as one of our most important and powerful teachers. When we open ourselves to it, sports teaches us to focus and stay the course, or to develop a new strategy and re-dedicate ourselves to a goal. It teaches us the importance of teamwork and reminds us that we must strive to give our individual all. It teaches us to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. At its best, sports will build us up and it will wear us down, it will build character and teaches us to overcome adversity.   We hope you take some time to review some of these stories which we chose to reprint here for you...the Parent, the Fan, the Coach, the Player, the Board Member, the Official... 



Jamboree by Naughty by Nature


SOUTH GATE YOUTH FOOTBALL
PARENT PLEDGE 2008
[REPRINTED FROM POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE]

I pledge to get my child to practice and games on time.  I understand that it can be embarrassing for my child to be late and that I may be putting him/her at risk by not providing adequate time for warm up.  I will be on time to pick up my child from all games and practices.  This shows respect for the coach, and it tells my child that he or she is my top priority. 

I pledge to use positive encouragement to fill my child's "emotional tank" because athletes do their best when their "emotional tank" is full.  I understand that fewer than 1% of youth sports participants receive college scholarships and that the top three reasons kids play sports are: a] to have fun, b] to make new friends, and c] to learn new skills.  I understand that the game is for the players, and I will keep sports in the proper perspective. 

I pledge to reinforce the ELM Tree of Mastery with my child (E-for Effort, L-for Learning and M-for bouncing back from Mistakes).  Winners are people who make maximum effort, continue to learn and improve, and do not let mistakes, or fear of making mistakes, stop them.  I understand that mistakes are an inevitable part of any game and that people learn from their mistakes.  I understand that children are born with different abilities and that the true measure is not how my child compares to others but how he/she is doing in comparison to his/her best self. 

I pledge to "Honor the Game."  I understand the importance of setting a good example for my child.  No matter what others may do, I will show respect for all involved in the game including coaches, players, opponents, opposing fans, and officials.  I understand that officials make mistakes.  If the official makes a "bad" call against my team, I will Honor the Game and be silent!

I pledge to refrain from yelling out instructions to my child.  I understand that this is the coach's job.  I understand that games are chaotic times for children trying to deal with fast-paced action and respond to opponents, teammates and coaches.  I will limit my comments during the game to encouraging my child and other players for both teams. 

I pledge to refrain from making negative comments about my child's coach in my child's pressence.  I understand that this plants a negative seed in my child's head that can negatively influence my child's motivation and overall experience. 

I will honor the SGYF PARENT PLEDGE in my words and actions. 




THE GOOD REASONS FOR INVOLVING A CHILD IN ORGANIZED ATHLETICS INCLUDE:

Scheduling time for physical exercise.  With the days of backyard football and baseball games past and TV and video games present, it's often necessary to schedule physical activities through organized team sports. 

Developing a positive social group.  Families with kids in organized youth sports tend to share similar values.  Parents find camaraderie with other parents while kids build relationships among teammates. 

Committing to the discipline of team practice and play.  Despite rain, fatigue or a birthday-party invitation, the child has a responsibility to his team.

Providing a place to use developing motor skills.  All kids, no matter their size, stature or physical coordination need the opportunity to develop their large motor skills.

Learning rules, strategy and the competitive nature of the game.  The mental challenge of team play transfers to other situations, benefiting kids on and off the field. 

Managing emotions on the field and from the sidelines.  Kids learn to accept reprimand from a coach or referee without blowing up or crying.  They also learn to accept defeat and win graciously. 




SEVEN RULES TO LIVE BY

  1. Don't try to live your life through your child.  You had your chance to be yung.  Let your youngster do his/her thing.  Don't force football or any sport down his/her throat.  

     
  2. Don't be negative with your child.  It rubs off.  If you complain about why your child isn't in the starting lineup, he/she will do the same.  BE POSITIVE, motivate and encourage your child.  

  3. Don't be unrealistic.  The good Lord gave all of us certain abailities.  Accept your child as they are.  We would all like to be big, tall, handsome, intelligent, and string, but it doesn't happen that way.  Accept what the Lord blessed you with and go on with your life.  Make the best of it.   It's the same in football---someone may be bigger, faster, tougher, or smaller.  Knbow your childs limitations and encourage them to make the best of it.  Accept their role on the team.  

  4. Don't knock the coaching staff.  How can you expect your child to perform to his fulest if all he/she hears from you about the coach is negative?  The coach represents authority.  You will give your youngster the wrong message if you ridicule the coach or his teachers.  Support the coach's rules, philosophies, playbook and so on.  

  5. Don't be a know-it-all.  Coaches work with youngsters 12 months of the year.  They spend many hours with these youngsters in situations that their parents may never see.  In some cases, coaches know more about the player then the parents do.  DOn't exert pressure on your child by telling him/her things he/she shouldn't have to hear.  Be a good role model.  Let the coaches coach.  

  6. Don't baby your child.  Sever the umbilical cord.  It's a tough world out there.  Let him/her begin preparing for it by not babying him/her.  Let the coaches push your child.  Let the coaches make him/her tougher mentally by challenging them.  A youngster can learn mental toughness regardless of whether he/she plays.  

  7. Don't be selfish.  Don't use football for the wrong reasons.  Don't push your child to play for a scholarship.  Doing so pressures them unduly.  If he/she is good enough, he/she will earn a scholarship.  Let them play because they love the game.