Former NFL Athletes Say Having Fun is Key to Success

We can propose that quality coaching, 10,000 hours of repetitions and fast twitch fibers will get your kid to the professional level.

Those are contributing factors, but they are not the most important factor contributing to his or her long-term athletic success.

Rather, the key is simply love of the game and enjoying every moment regardless of the circumstances.

Love of the game and fun must be factored in to every training and competitive experience. 

That passion becomes the driving force, the gasoline behind ever task, challenge, victory and defeat ahead.

In 2008, we talked with 12 NFL stars working for youth football camps across the United States. Each had played more than 3 years in the NFL and some as many as 9 or 10 years.

Across the board and without bias, they said the most important factor in their success was they LOVED playing the game.

Their recommendation as the most important contribution a parent can provide a child?  “Making it fun.”

As kids, these NFL players and youth camp heroes jumped at the chance to practice, play and organize pick-up games in the backyard.

“It was the most fun thing to do…ever,” said former Chicago Bear Youth Camp Hero Kris Haines.

“I loved playing the game as a kid,” said former Green Bay Packer Youth Camp Hero Johnnie Gray.

NFL players New York Giants Youth Football Camps and Philadelphia Eagles Youth Football Camps say the same thing.

Their parents did not track them for professional success. 

Instead, they were “in the moment” and made sure that each day’s experience was as rewarding and educational as possible

Never underestimate the “fun” factor in your child’s athletic experience. 

It is absolutely necessary in order to fuel the engine for success.

Youth Sports Camp: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

It's official: the holidays are upon us.  Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed by, but some of us are still scrambling to find gifts for our loved ones.

Though the winter weather makes it hard to think about summer activities, consider giving the gift of youth sports summer camp to your child this holiday season.  Planning ahead will guarantee the child a spot at the desired camp, as spots are sure to sell out quickly closer to spring.  Plus, it ensures that kids will have something to do when school is out for summer, rather than just sit inside watching TV and playing video games.

Youth sports camps can get pricey, but buying months in advance often allows the opportunity to save money.  Also, knowing the incredible benefits of physical activity for children makes sports camp hard to resist.  Positive effects of youth sports are countless, including:

·         Developing an understanding of teamwork

·         Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through physical activity

·         Building friendships and other social skills

·         Forming a strong sense of confidence and leadership

·         Understanding the importance of putting forth best effort

As a gift, sports camp as a gift is an out-of-the-box idea that gives a child something to look forward to; it's almost like a second gift when summer rolls around and the child remembers he or she gets to go to camp soon!

PLAY 60…GET FIT FOR ACADEMIC REASONS

If you watched any NFL Football this weekend, you could not miss it.

The NFL’s “Play 60” logo is emblazoned on every NFL field and scoreboard.  During TV broadcasts, “Play 60” commercials appear about four times a game.

The NFL’s “Play 60” program challenges kids to be physically active for 60 minutes-a-day doing anything they love…as long as they are moving.  Both individuals and schools are challenged to get involved.

The purpose is twofold.  Certainly there are childhood obesity factors--a national problem.

Equally important are the significant academic, concentration and mood benefits derived from regular physical activity. 

As proven in the Active Living Research study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, there is direct correlation between active living on academic performance.  For example, with physical activity, academic performance improves, as does cognitive performance and overall classroom behavior.  Read the entire study here.

Also visit the NFL Play 60’s website to learn more: http://www.nflrush.com/play60/.

Coaching the Thanksgiving Football Game Players

How many of these players will also appear in your Thanksgiving family football game?

1. The politically intense uncle that would rather talk about a “nuclear football.”

2. The chubby friend that can’t run because he ate too much clam chowder.

3. The quiet nephew who suddenly starts talking like Terrell Owens.

4. The uncle who can only run with the wind for fear his toupee with fly off.

5. The friend that can’t spell “football.”

6. The day-trading neighbor that keeps checking his Blackberry.

7. The neighbor’s wife who keeps talking about Dr. Phil. 

8. The son that wants to play best-of-seven.

9. The daughter who’s feet are cold because she did not wear socks. 
10.  The sister who’s end-zone dance makes us all uncomfortable.

11.  The son that laughs every time grandpa says “play like Dick Butkus!”

Bringing these personalities together is the ultimate challenge for any Thanksgiving Day Football coordinator.

Football is the ultimate team sport. 

May your turkey be delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom Finks

Pro Sports Experience, LLC

Five Important Questions to Ask Before Sending Your Child to Camp

"I am worried about my child attending your day camp.  What precautions do you take to assure my child will be cared for and healthy?"

In the day camp (or sports camp) world, there is no more important question. 

To answer it, ask yourself the following five questions to determine if a camp is prepared to care for your child properly.

1.  Does the camp ask for sufficient contact and health information? 

The first step any good camp will take is creating a camper profile for your child by acquiring comprehensive health and contact information. 

Importantly, does the camp request:

• Multiple phone contact numbers?
• Your child’s age, weight and playing experience?
• Third party emergency contact information?  
• Doctor's name and phone number?
• Unique medical issues of your child? 
• Medicine he/she may need at camp? 
• Who is authorized to pick your child up from camp? 

With this information, the camper profile is created, providing an excellent starting point for safe camper management.  Remember to ask yourself: “Does the camp request enough information to keep my child safe?”

2.  Is the staff qualified?
Before developing athletic skill, camp staff must be able to manage the children.  They must be positive motivators. They must be strict disciplinarians without casting a negative cloud over the entire camp. The staff must manage bullies, shy kids, experienced athletes and newcomers to the game. Above all, they must have the background and experience to succeed.

Important considerations of a camp’s staff include:

• Must staff members pass a criminal background check to work at the camp?
• Do staff members have a "professional educators" background?
• What indicates they can manage large groups of children?
• Are they trained in first aid and CPR?
• Do they maintain a strong staff-to-campers ratio?
• Are health experts or certified athletic trainers on site?

3.  Are the camp’s location, facility amenities and equipment safe?
With respect to inclement weather and athletic activities, can the camp function safely?
Consider the following:

• Is there access to indoor classrooms or a gymnasium?
• Are there ample water or hydration sources?
• Is there a complete supply of first aid equipment on site?
• Are landline phones available?

4.  How does the camp manage its campers?
Ask the camp organization how they will manage your child.  This includes both on-the-field athletic issues and off-the-field activities.

• How are the campers grouped with respect to age and experience level?
• How are pick-up and drop-off exchanges handled?
• What are the lunch time management policies?
• What are practices with respect to sun screen and hydration?
• Is camper profile data (from section #1) accessible?
• Are drills designed with safety in mind?
• Do coaches emphasize respect and sportsmanship as the highest priority?
• Does the camp offer “Extended Supervision” services?

5.  Does the camp effectively communicate with me?
Finally, a quality camp management company proactively communicates to the customer.
Consider these elements of customer communication services.

• Do confirmation notices arrive with complete information?
• Do you receive reminders or updates with respect to the camp or your registration status?
• During the camp week, do you have an easy way to communicate issues or negative experiences?
• Does the camp offer an orientation meeting or introduction to parents?
• Can you communicate problems with camp operations confidentially?
• Do the coaches make themselves available for discussion before and after camp?

With these questions in mind, you can more easily determine if a camp is prepared to manage your child’s day camp experience. If you have additional questions, please email me at tom@prosportsexperience.com.

Regards,
Tom Finks, Executive Director, Pro Sports Experience

Pro Sports Experience is the official camp management company of the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles.

For Football Skills, Face the Mistakes Head On!

Consider the moment when, having just thrown an interception, a youth quarterback comes off the field to face his coach.   Is there a better teaching moment in sports to build life skills?

The quarterback did not throw a touchdown or an incomplete pass.  The pass was not dropped.
The pass was intercepted.   There is nothing ambiguous about it.  

Youth Football Coaches must be honest, optimistic
and solution- oriented when coaching athletes

A very specific mistake was made and that is the starting point for the ensuing conversation.

In football, the youth quarterback can't hide from the coach. 

So often, we approach our mistakes with a litany of excuses or reasons things did not go as intended.  We rationalize our mistakes without addressing them directly.  We buy time and avoid confronting the mistake.  In the long run, this is an unhealthy approach. 

After an interception, there is no time for the quarterback to scramble for an excuse.   He and the coach must deal with the facts.  And they must do it now.



The quarterback-coach-interception dynamic creates a wonderful teaching platform.  If the coach and quarterback can both effectively address the specific mistake, demonstrate confidence in the future and define a path to improvement, that quarterback will be a stronger player and person in the days ahead.  And the coach that manages these moments properly will have respect and dedication from the entire team.

Pro Sports Experience NFL Team Youth Football Camps are for Football Skills, Life Skills and Fun!

Welcome to the Youth Sports Library

We are here to help!

The Youth Sports Library will be your searchlight for credible, cutting edge and truly helpful information as you raise a young athlete.  From athletic development to game strategy to team politics, the library will provide the information you need to make an informed decision about your child's athletic future.

We look forward to building this resource for you.  

We are Pro Sports Experience for Kids.