The culture of youth sports has been under close scrutiny over the years. Some voice concerns over the adults involved imposing a win at all cost mentality on the children. Another question that often comes up is whether or not it is safe for children, both psychologically and physically. I believe in that under the direction of knowledgeable coaches, children can benefit physically, socially, and educationally from youth sports.
While I understand that there are coaches and parents that impose adult standards on the children and focus to much on winning, I believe these coaches and parents are bad seeds in the youth sports culture and not the majority. Most coaches in youth sports volunteer because they are passionate about teaching the…show more content… However, over the past decade sports professionals and coaches have become more aware of these physical dangers and have implemented techniques and standards for safer play. USA Football’s Heads Up program refers to itself as “The New Standard of Football”. Heads Up Football is a comprehensive program developed to advance player safety by certifying coaches in the education of important safety issues, such as concussion recognition and response, heat preparedness and hydration, sudden cardiac arrest, and proper equipment fitting. The program also educates coaches on how to teach Heads Up tackling and Heads Up blocking. Heads Up tackling is a step-by-step protocol, utilizing fundamentals that reinforce proper tackling mechanics and teach players how to properly tackle with a focus on reducing helmet contact. Heads Up blocking helps coaches teach players how to properly engage with a defender, drive with the legs, and maintain the correct body position for effective and safer play. There are 5,500 organizations, 150,000 coaches, and nearly 1,000,000 players participating in the Heads Up program. When children play for coaches that utilize these type programs, the risk of injury is minimized and parents can relax, knowing their children are playing as safe as
