It’s actually exciting to watch him and his team members play. His dad is the head coach and his grandfather is the assistant coach.  It truly is a family affair. He has grown and learned so much over the pass 2 years.  There are several benefits to children playing organized sports.

Here a few benefits of Children’s Organized Sports:

1. Physical Activity – He has learned the importance of being physically fit if you want to be involved in sports of any kind. It takes endurance to play an entire game, which is why most athletes do not smoke or do drugs. He has also learned the importance of eating healthy if he’s going to be an athlete.
2. Intellectual Stimulation – He has learned that playing ball requires skill and brain power. He must learn to listen to his coaches, think on his feet, remember his position, and put plays together that his coaches have called.
3. Confidence – His confidence and self-esteem has soared since he has been playing sports.  He believes in himself as a player and as a growing little boy.
4. Team Work – He has learned that a team win games, it is not an individual sport.  He has learned that he must work with his team members whether he likes them or not and he must play fairly against his opponents.
5. Competition – He has learned that competition is a part of life and can be healthy if the game is played fairly. He has learned that there are players that are better and some that are not as good.  The important thing is to play your best at all times.
6. Focus – He has learned to focus on the game while tuning out the crowd shouting, listen for the whistle being blow by the referee, and listen to his coaches giving him instructions.
7. Winning/Losing– He has learned that he nor his team can win at everything.  I remember the first game that his team lost.  He was so down, he didn’t think he deserved a trip to McDonald’s.  It made me so sad.  One of my life lesson’s came roaring to the surface, there will be times when you can’t sooth your child’s pain.  You must let life run it’s course.
8. Team Leaders – He has learned the importance of leading a team as captain and co-captain, and the responsibilities of a leader.
9. Friendship – He has made new friends on his and on opponent’s teams.  It has helped with his social skills, he gets invites to sleepovers, birthday parties and other outings.
10. Family Time – He spends time watching football and basketball with his dad and grandfathers.  He is getting a better understanding of the game, asks questions and joins in the conversation when they’re together.

We also have Xavier in swim lessons and basketball.  He refuses to play baseball.  The thought of getting hit with a baseball frightens him.  We have accepted his fear and not pushed him to participate in the sport. If he decides to play down the road fine, if not that’s fine too.

It’s amazing to watch how far he has come from the backyard football games and shooting hoops in the driveway.  I would encourage all parents to place their child in an organized sport whether it be soccer, football, basketball, baseball or martial arts.  Now a  little discipline for the parents, stay tuned for that post.

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