The Power of “Thank You”
By Doug Abrams When I was president of a youth hockey program a few years ago, a coach told me over the summer that he would not return for the upcoming season. “I had trouble with the parents last year,” he explained, “and I they didn’t appreciate what I tried to do. I don’t want … Read more
A Fresh, New, and Intriguing Way to Do Kids’ Sports
Danny Bernstein grew up on Long Island where he played a variety of sports, most notably soccer. He was the goalkeeper on the Roslyn HS team which won the first NYS HS championship. Danny then went onto Amherst College where he continued playing soccer, and captained his college team. After graduating, he spent a number … Read more
How to Keep Your Players From Going Viral and Ruining Their Youth Sports Careers
By Doug Abrams The past few weeks have not been kind to Annette McCullough and Austin O’Such. Both players competed in games that otherwise would have attracted little attention locally, and no attention elsewhere. But both players committed flagrant fouls that went viral when films were posted on YouTube. Thanks to the national – and … Read more
The Law’s Limited Role in Injury Prevention
By Doug Abrams My last three columns told the story of 15-year-old sophomore Neal Goss, who suffered a broken neck when an opponent blind-sided him at the end of a Chicago-area junior varsity hockey game that had spiraled out of control from the opening faceoff. The trilogy’s central point was that national playing rules protect … Read more
Adversity Drives Great Athletes
People always ask me about the so-called “intangibles” that we (and our kids) take away from sports. And most of the time, I rely on the usual platitudes: teamwork….setting and reaching goals…sportsmanship…and so on. But of all the life-long lessons that sports provides, I truly think that the one lesson that stands above them all … Read more
“All Saftey is Local” – (Part III)
By Doug Abrams My last two columns have explained how national playing rules protect youth athletes best when parents, coaches and officials actually enforce the rules locally. The first column largely reflected my experiences as a youth hockey coach for more than 40 years, and the second column drew largely on polling data that consistently … Read more
“All Safety is Local” (Part II)
By Doug Abrams Last week’s column explained that national playing rules protect youth athletes most effectively when parents, coaches and officials actually enforce the rules. The explanation may sound commonsensical, but enforcement can break down whenever parents and coaches intimidate referees, coaches skirt the rules, or parents incite the players. The truth is that breakdown, … Read more
Should New HS Varsity Coaches Be Allowed to “Build” with Younger Players?
This happens more and more, and it’s worrisome. Let’s say your kid plays basketball. He’s paid his dues right up the ladder: sat on the bench pretty much all of his sophomore year, played more in his junior year but didn’t start, and now as a senior he’s expecting to finally get a real shot … Read more
All Safety is Local (Part I)
By Doug Abrams Former U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” Decisionmaking in Washington surely influences voters, but the Speaker explained that local happenings can influence voters even more by affecting their daily lives most directly. O’Neill’s explanation has relevance in youth sports, where “all player safety is … Read more
The Battle Between Helicopter Sports Parents and Their Kids’ Coaches
“Coach, I don’t think you understand….my son was the star on his travel soccer team last spring and summer. Maybe I ought to have his travel team coach you directly….” “Coach, my son spent all winter working out with a pitching coach. According to that coach, my kid should be one of top players on … Read more
"The Sports Edge"
Rick Wolff
Steve Kallas
Doug Abrams
