This year has been a great one for sports: Michael Phelps winning an amazing eight gold medals in the Olympics; Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open basically on one leg; Rafael Nadal winning a dramatic Wimbledon final over Roger Federer; and the New York Giants upsetting the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl thanks largely to an unbelivable catch by David Tyree.

For me, though, the most memorable moment in sports in 2008 was Phelps out of the water, cheering on his relay teammates to victory. Phelps was as intense and focused during his two relays, and being a part of a team, as he was in his six individual races. It would have been very easy for Phelps to talk about all the great things he did, which were simply amazing. Phelps, though, went out of his way to praise his relay teammates.

While it's not always easy for superstars to acknowledge the efforts of others, it's often harder to show true emotion while rooting your teammates on. In the 4 X 100 freestyle relay, in which Phelps swam the first of four legs, his reaction after teammate Jason Lezak made up ground on Alain Bernard of France, the world record holder in the 100-meter freestyle, was one of pure joy. The fact that this gave him the second of what would be a record eight gold medals in one Olympics seemed to be the furthest thing from Phelps' mind.

The beauty of this to me is that Phelps showed an example of true sportsmanship that was seen by many millions of kids. Very few youth sports athletes will play competitively beyond high school, but Phelps' reaction on the pool deck illustrated one of the great things of sports: contributing to the success of a team.

It's a good image for players and coaches alike to take into 2009.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:27 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

As a several-times-a-week runner, I've been hoping my kids might catch the running bug and start running with me. I ask them occasionally, but so far they've shown little interest.

Recently, though, when I asked them if they wanted to take part in a four-mile fun run, they both said yes. It was a rainy day, but the kids were excited. My 11-year-old son tried to run as much of it as he could, and he turned in a very respectable time. Better yet was how good he felt about his effort, and how much he talked about it afterward.

Our local running club offers a lot of fun runs for kids, so I'm encouraged that we will participate in more of these in the future. The key with so many things is having a good initial experience, and that was certainly the case in this instance.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:41 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

With Thansgiving right around the corner, it's a good time to give thanks to all those people who make youth sports possible. This includes the following:

• Our kids who play youth sports.
• All those who volunteer their time to coach, officiate, organize leagues, etc.
• Good youth sports parents, including ourselves, who set a good example for our kids.

Participating in youth sports as a player, sports parent and coach has been a great experience for me, as well as for my kids. If you feel the same way, let those who make this possible know you appreciate their efforts -- especially your children. Few things are as rewarding, or motivating, as sincere thank yous recognizing one's contributions.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 12:12 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

When playing sports with my kids, I find myself often trying to teach them the fundamentals so that they can improve their skill level. I've learned over time that they are not always receptive to this, and that I need to pick my spots, and be careful not to dwell on a particular point.

I've also recently learned another way to make my kids more willing to listen to and try my advice -- by having them teach me to do something.

My son is very into a two-wheeled skateboard called a RipStik. He mastered it right away, and can make it do pretty much whatever he wants. I, however, have not had much success with it at all. I decided I needed my son's help and advice, and he was very willing to teach me. He's been surprisingly patient, and has done a good job of teaching me the basics. I'm still no master, but I've gotten a lot better, thanks to him.

I've mentioned to him how helpful his teaching has been to me, and made the larger point that knowing how to do something right can improve your skill level and enjoyment as well. Since our RipStik lessons he's been more receptive to my teaching, and I'm looking for more situations for him to teach me to do something. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:20 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

In many youth sports leagues, kids, and especially girls, have the chance to play on coed teams. One school of thought is that playing with the boys, who tend to be more aggressive and physical, and more skilled in many cases, will help the girls improve their performance more quickly than playing on an all-girls team. This is the reason that for many years, top women's college basketball programs would routinely practice against men.

A counter argument is that since the boys tend to be more aggressive and dominating, girls on coed teams get less opportunity than they would on an all-girls team.

In short, I feel coed teams are right for some girls, and some boys, but that the kids should be making these decisions and not the parents. After all, our kids get many benefits for participating in team sports, and we should do all we can to encourage and support them.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:10 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There's something special about going to a sporting event in person. I know I felt that way when I was a kid, and still do.

I took my kids to a Baltimore Orioles game last night, and they really enjoyed it. And unlike our previous trips to baseball games, they were very content to sit and watch the game. They also asked several questions about what was happening on the field, and I was able to point out some fundamental-type things as well.

They also liked the surroundings, such as the between-innings entertainment, the foul pops that came near us, watching, and imitating, the vendors hawking their wares, and observing the mannerisms of the players, especially the batters in the on-deck circle.

Most of these are things you miss by watching the game on TV. When it came time to leave at the top of the eighth, the kids wanted to stay. I was always that way, not wanting to leave until the game ended, and it was nice to see them share that enthusiasm.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:24 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I've enjoyed throwing the football for many years, going back to the days when I used to toss the ball with my dad. I like nothing better than doing this with my kids, but I've learned that for them, they more creative or fun I can make it the better.

For example, during a recent beach vacation, my kids were both very interested in throwing the ball while in the water, diving through and over waves to catch the ball. What made it fun for them was that this was something different, and we spent parts of several days doing this and had a great time.

I've also found that taking a football on family walks and hikes is a good way to get the kids engaged. The key is to find or create opportunities to make sports fun for your kids. The focus on the above examples is not on throwing the football, but combining it with other activities that make those events more enjoyable -- for my kids and for me. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:00 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Our family has spent most nights during the past two weeks watching the Summer Olympics. For my kids -- ages 8 and 11 -- one of the best things about this has been exposing them to so many different sports featuring world-class athletes.

While paying special attention to sports like gymnastics, swimming and basketball that they participate in, they've also expressed interest in trying other sports, like volleyball, badminton, pole vaulting and diving, that they watched.

This is a great opportunity to build on this Olympic inspiration and have my kids try some of these sports. While we're not going to rush out and start pole vaulting anytime soon, we've had several discussions about what sports they liked most and might like to try. I'm eager to see where this inspiration may lead.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:23 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I took a golf lesson yesterday, and was surprised when the instructor spent the first 10 minutes talking about the importance of the mental approach to the game. Specifically, he talked about focusing on every shot, and forgetting about any bad shots before you hit your next shot.

He said that many golfers follow up a bad shot with several others, as they dwell on the bad shot rather than focusing on the next shot. A part of focusing is visualizing or seeing the result you'd like to have before you hit a shot. Not letting one bad shot affect future shots is easier said than done, but I realized he was right to stress this before he watched me hit any balls.

I also realized that this advice applies to all sports. While it's important to practice your skills, take some time to work on the mental approach to the game as well. Chances are that the more focused you are, the better the result will be and the more you'll enjoy the sports you play.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 07:11 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

When playing games or sports with your kids, do you let your kids win, try about 50% or go all out? For years, I've taken one of the first two approaches, fearing that if I did my best my kids would quickly lose interest.

As my kids get older, though (8 and 11), I've learned that they would rather lose with me really trying than having me let them win. They now call me on this whenever they think I'm not trying to win.

The good news for me is that really competing with my kids has several advantages to the let-them-win approach:

• It's much more fun for all of us.
• The kids take it as a challenge, and raise their level of play.
• The kids are looking forward to the day when they will win in 1 on 1, golf, tennis, etc.
• The kids take pride in their good moments, knowing they did it against me when I was trying.
• The kids have more respect for my modest athletic ability, and are more open to the teaching of certain fundamentals as a result.
• Learning how to lose is a good thing for everyone, and something all kids will experience and need to know how to handle.

This transition wasn't easy for me, but now that I've made it, I wonder what took me so long. I look forward to many more years of such competitions.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:32 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I'm often asking my kids if they want to do something active with me, such as throwing the football, shooting baskets, playing tennis, throwing the Frisbee, etc. While they say yes occasionally, most of the time they say no.

But if I start doing one of these activities with someone else, they often want to join in. This happened three or four times during a recent family vacation, and I could tell they were into it at least in part because it was their idea to participate.

I did a lot of these sort of activities with my dad growing up, and was usually on the asking end. Dad was good about doing these things with me, and I've always wanted to do things like this with my kids.

There are many strategies to interest kids in sports or other healthy activities. This may be one to consider; it's worked well for me.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Growing up, my father and I bonded over sports, and that remains the case today. Following this example, I've tried to use sports as a way to spend more time with my two kids, and I'm glad that I have.

With Father's Day tomorrow, I've thought about how fortunate I've been to share the love of sports and the many benefits they provide with my children. The benefits are many, which include exercise, teamwork, hand-eye coordination, independence, commitment, determination, sportsmanship and having fun.

To me, though, the best part has been spending time together doing something we all enjoy. Whether playing in the yard, coaching one of the kids' teams, taking them to college or pro games or watching sports on TV, we are creating memories while developing common interests that I hope last a lifetime.

Unlike when I was a kid, today's youth have an endless selection of sport options. My kids have some similar and some different interests, and it's been really fun for me to learn about certain sports like gymnastics, skateboarding and bmx from them, as they know more about the fine points of these than I.

I've also exposed my kids to sports that I really enjoy, like basketball, tennis and golf, and it's a real joy to do these things with them. I can remember tagging along with my dad to play golf or softball, things I still remember fondly 30 years later.

One of the great things about sports is that there are always new ones to discover, and new memories to create. There is nothing better than having one of my kids ask me to throw the baseball, football or frisbee; I used to bug my dad to do the same things, and to me it's one of the best parts about being a dad.  

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 02:03 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

ESPN's baseball wrap-up show Baseball Tonight devotes a section of its show each night to highlight the best defensive plays, which is refers to as Web Gems.

This is a good thing, as what ESPN deems popular or cool has a trickle down effect on today's youth. Most baseball highlight shows focus mostly on offense, but defense is a big part of the game as well, and good defensive teams tend to be the teams that make the playoffs.

Defense, perhaps more than hitting and pitching, is a skill young players can improve through hard work and practice. Everyone wants to bat, so those kids who work on their defense have a chance to make their mark and increase their playing time. The fact that ESPN is highlighting this may help encourage kids to focus on their fielding.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:39 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My kids have gotten very into playing basketball. So when their basketball clinics ended in early March, I asked them if they wanted to keep playing. They did, so I began to look into options.

After doing some research, I discovered that the school gyms in our area could be rented at a very affordable rate. The kids really liked this idea, especially when I said they could invite some of their friends to join us.

We've now had two such sessions -- every Monday night -- and the kids have had a great time. The format has been very unstructured, with the kids setting the agenda. Both weeks we've ended up playing games with teams consisting of parents and kids. Everyone seems to get a lot out of this, and the kids are learning things about the game in a relaxed setting. They also are eager to go each week, which is always a good indication of their interest level.

The key to me is the low-key approach. Kids today have much more structure in their lives than I did at that age, and this weekly gym rental gives them a chance to have fun with their friends and parents while getting exercise at the same time. It's a win-win situation for all, and one I hope continues for some time.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My 10-year-old son Graham is interested in skateboarding, and has had a board for several years but had not had a lesson until Saturday. It was really an eye-opening experience for him, and has rekindled his interest in the sport.

This was supposed to be a group lesson, but when only two kids showed up, he ended up working one-on-one with a skateboard instructor. He learned all the basics, including how to drop in, perform an ollie and much more, and worked on perfecting his moves for much of the next few days.

It's fun as a parent to see your child get noticeably better at something they like in a two-hour period, and Graham's excited to take more lessons and refine his technique. Skateboarding really seems to suit his personality, and I think the lesson really showed him what's possible, and that some day he may be able to do some of the things he has watched skateboarders do on TV.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:18 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Skateboarding is a sport better known for tricks, stunts and its X Games image than for its health benefits. A recent study by Johns Hopkins researchers, though, found that kids who skateboard regularly -- three or more times a week -- are more likely to stay fit and avoid being overweight and obese when they become adults than kids who play organized sports like baseball.

The study, published in January's Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, did not address the risk of injuries from skateboarding and other action sports. My son is a skateboarder, and I've never considered it a great workout. This study, though, which also touted the health benefits of regular biking -- including BMX biking -- and Rollerblading, has made me rethink this.

My son is a skateboarding beginner, but he's really into it, often doing it for 30-45 minutes or more at a time. And he's working hard to improve his technique and come up with new moves. He is also very into his BMX-style bike, and rides it regularly when the weather is warm enough to ride outside.

As someone who grew up playing organized sports like basketball, basketball and football, I've enjoyed watching my son's interest in these action sports. I just never assumed how good these might be for his health. 

The bottom line in all this for me is that the more active kids are the better, and that it's important that kids choose the sports or activities they do. After all, the more they are interested in something the more likely they are to do it, and thus the more exercise they will get. It is really icing on the cake that these action sports he's interested in have been shown to be a great way to stay fit.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:22 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There's a gym near our house that is open on Saturday mornings for kids to shoot baskets. I took my kids and my mom, who played high school basketball, last Saturday and we had a great time.

My kids are both involved in basketball clinics on Saturdays, but they had much more fun in this family basketball session than in their clinics. They enjoying showing off their skills for grandma, and I think they enjoyed hearing her tell how she played competitive basketball when she was younger.

There's something to be said for this sort of free play. Kids these days spend so much time in clinics, taking lessons, playing on travel teams and in other competitive or highly structured youth sports programs that they are ready for some fun.

I have nothing against these structured programs, which teach the fundamentals and help our kids improve both their play and their enjoyment in the game. I grew up participating in such structured programs and currently coach of my daughter's softball team. 

Our family session, though, reminded me of the importance of keeping sports fun, and I can tell my kids are already looking forward to their next opportunity to shoot baskets with grandma.  

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:36 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My 8-year-old daughter Olivia took part in her first basketball clinic on Saturday. The clinic was meant to be for third and fourth grade girls, but due to a lack of interest, the third and fourth grade boys and girls clinics were combined.

I was interested to see how this would go, and how Olivia would like it. I knew the clinic would have a much different flavor than if it was all girls, and was worried that the boys would dominate at the girls' expense.

The boys did tend to take charge when they scrimmaged at the end of the clinic, but the girls held their own and didn't back down. Fortunately, most of the clinic focused on skill development -- shooting, dribbling and passing -- but the scrimmage is what the kids enjoyed most.

Being a basketball player myself, it was fun to see Olivia -- who wasn't sure she wanted to sign up for this clinic -- having fun on the court. She said afterward that she really liked it and wanted to keep coming.

I also realized afterward that as much as I was hoping this would be a girls-only clinic, that competing with the boys is probably a good thing for her and the other girls, and will more quickly increase their skill development.

At this age though, it's all about having fun, and this was a good learning experience for both Olivia and me. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:09 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Growing up, I spent a lot of time on weekends watching sports on TV with my dad. This, I'm convinced, played a key role in my interest in and passion for sports, both as a player and spectator.

Upon becoming a parent myself, though, I took a different approach. I thought watching sports on weekends wasn't in my kids' best interest, preferring to do something more active with them. I'd generally tape the games I wanted to watch and would view them that evening.

I've come to realize this was a mistake. I bonded with my dad on those long ago Saturday and Sunday afternoons watching basketball, football, golf and many other sports, and we still enjoy watching sports together. I wanted to see if the same would happen with my kids, and to some degree it has.

I'd still prefer to play sports with my kids than to watch it, but realized there's nothing wrong with watching sports with them. In addition to spending time together, my kids have developed more of an interest in sports and often ask me questions about various aspects of the games we watch.

The highlight came this past Sunday night, when we were heading to a hotel moments before the start of the Green Bay-New York Giants NFC Championship game. When I mentioned kickoff was a few minutes away, both kids were genuinely excited about watching the game. It reminded me of my childhood with my dad, and is an experience I hope to repeat often in the future. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:59 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I took my 8-year-old daughter Olivia to a women's gymnastics meet at the University of Maryland last night. Olivia has taken gymnastics classes one night a week for the last three years, and really likes going to college gymnastics meets.

At one point during the meet, she turned to me and said "I'd like to earn a college scholarship for gymnastics." This comment caught me completely by surprise, and I was uncertain how to respond. Do I talk about the amount of work required to earn a college scholarship? Do I tell her that anything's possible and that she should go for it? I compromised by smiling at her and giving her a hug, and we were quickly back to watching the action.

One of the best lessons my kids have taught me is to express your thoughts, dreams and goals without overthinking them. Adults, myself included, are often quick to point out the problems or challenges in reaching these goals. While that may be the rational response, that's not what kids want to, or should, hear, or at least not that alone.

In thinking about this incident more today, a response like "that is a great goal, and with hard work anything is possible" strikes me as more appropriate. Kids need to have goals and dreams, and we as parents don't want to discourage our kids from dreaming. 

Olivia is aware of the hard work gymnasts her age and younger are putting in. She's been asked to join a gymnastics team several times in the past but has declined precisely because she does not want to do gymnastics more than once a week.

At some point, she may decide gymnastics is a higher priority, and want to spend more time training as a result.  Or, she may not. I'm fine with this either way, but I want her to know that it's OK to dream.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:14 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

As a youth sports coach and parent, I've learned -- sometimes the hard way -- that the more kids enjoy youth sports the better. To that end, here are five of my New Year's resolutions to help my kids and the players I coach have fun -- and hopefully learn something in the process.

1. Be Flexible -- In coaching my daughter's softball team last spring, I had my practice activities planned in advance, but found that some drills were more popular or successful than others, and I adjusted practice based on this. Coaches also need parents to help perform various tasks, often will little or no advance notice, and this is a good way to help support your child's sporting interests.

2. Play More and Teach Less -- My tendency is to teach my kids the fundamentals every chance I get. I've found that they quickly get tired of this, and want to stop playing as a result. When we just go out and play basketball, throw football or hit baseballs and softballs without the teaching, my kids have much more fun, and I realized that I do as well.

3. Ask Your Kids/Players for Advice -- When coaching a team, involve your kids/players in the decision-making process. We all like to be asked, and when you incorporate the kids' ideas for a practice drill, for example, you'll find they are much more interested and motivated and have more fun than if you had them do something they are not excited about.

4. Set a Good Example -- There are more and more stories every year about sports parents behaving badly. Think about what you say to your kids, other players and coaches, and how you would like it if someone said those things to or about you. Your kids and players will learn a lot about sportsmanship from you -- good or bad -- so keep this in mind and be as supportive and positive as you can. If you need to talk to your child about ways he/she can improve on the field, do so when others aren't around.

5. Watch Sporting Events With Your Kids -- I watched a lot of sports with my father growing up, and it's a passion we still share. Take your kids to local sporting events or invite them to watch games with you on TV. It's a good way to both spend more time with your kids and get them interested in sports -- especially those you enjoy playing and want them to learn.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

December 13 was a very bad day for Major League Baseball. That was the day the long awaited investigation on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball conducted by former senator George Mitchell was released.

The Mitchell Report named more than 90 current or former players as having used steroids, human growth hormone or other drugs that can improve a player's performance while putting their health at risk. These players included Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Miguel Tejada.

The report concluded that what's come to be known as the "steroid era" in baseball was widespread, and that baseball has done little until recently to address this issue seriously. The problems this raises are too numerous to count, but here are some of the main ones:

Any records or accomplishments established over the last 10-15 years or so are suspect. There's been much talk about how Barry Bonds' home run record should have an asterisk, but given all the names on the Mitchell Report, and pitchers as well as position players, you can make the case that all baseball statistics during the last decade are tainted.

Major league baseball players are setting a terrible example for young players and other kids who look up to them. The message here is that many players are looking for any edge they can find, whether legal or not or potentially harmful to their bodies, to perform at as high a level as possible. That's not exactly the message we want our kids to hear, and is a big reason steroid use among youth athletes is on the rise.

Will we ever trust baseball again? Sure, fans will continue to go to games, but people also go to professional wrestling even though they know it's fake. Baseball needs to continue to strengthen its drug policy so there is a no tolerance policy before people will believe future records are genuine and the game is on the level.

The good news is that this is a great teaching opportunity for youth sports parents and coaches, a chance to educate our kids and players about the health dangers of these drugs before it's too late.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:34 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There's no better time than between Thanksgiving and Christmas to thank those people who make our youth sports experiences possible.

Whether you're a youth sport athlete, parent or coach, there are many such people, most of whom volunteer their time for our benefit. Take a few minutes to think about all the people who play a role in your or your family's youth sports experience and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.

If you're like me, such acts will make both you and the recipient feel good, and how many other free "gifts" can you say that about?

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My 8-year-old daughter Olivia likes to attend different women's sporting events, as though she's trying to figure out if that's a sport she'd like to try. We recently went to a University of Maryland women's volleyball match, and it was a big hit -- literally and figuratively.

Olivia didn't really understand how volleyball worked, but she picked it up pretty quickly. She asked a bunch of questions, and was soon rooting hard for the home team.

My experience in going to some of Maryland's non-marquee sports is that they do fun, kid-friendly things that you would never see at a football or basketball game. For example, at the volleyball match they threw out free T-shirts to the crowd every time a Maryland player digged a spike and the Terrapins ended up winning the point. The courtside announcer would then say loudly "Can You Dig It?" after which the T-shirts took to the air.

It helped that I caught one of these T-shirts, which Olivia promptly put on and wore the rest of the match, and to bed that night. We spent about a hour and a half at the match, and when we were leaving Olivia said she wanted to play volleyball when she's a little older.

Consider taking your kids to different high school or college sporting events. Many of these are inexpensive or free to attend, and they're a great way to introduce them to new sports. There's something about seeing a sport in person and being part of a crowd that's much different from watching it on TV. I've taken my kids to many different sports, with varying levels of success, but they are usually up for going to see something new. Speaking as a sports fan and father, there's nothing better than going to a game with your kids and seeing the excitement it generates in them, and me. It's a good feeling.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:42 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There is nothing like watching celebrations that ensue when a player hits a walkoff home run, scores a winning touchdown in the final seconds or a team captures a championship. These are spontaneous and feel-good moments for sports fans that live in our memories for a long time.

Today, though, the celebration threshold is very low, as they are commonplace, personal and out of control. Excessive celebrations are now as much a part of sports as sports talk radio or fantasy sports. You see football players celebrate everything from a first down to a tackle for loss or even a hard hit after a positive gain.

And while reasonable end zone celebrations are OK, the kinds of things that players like Terrell Owens do after scoring is anything but role-model behavior. 

The problem with all this is that it's setting a bad example for our kids, who want to imitate what they see on TV. The famous saying "There's no I in team," comes to mind, as teamwork has given way to individuality.

While we don't want to dampen our kids' enthusiasm and excitement in any way, we also don't want to endorse crazy celebrations at inappropriate times that are clearly more staged or scripted than natural. Such actions display poor sportsmanship, needlessly disrupt the game and draw attention to individual rather than team accomplishments.

The next time you're watching a game with your kids, talk to them about the problems with inappropriate and excessive celebrations, and the importance of good sportsmanship. You may be surprised how such conversations can impact their behavior and actions for the better.  

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:48 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

The start of the school year is the time when we plan what sports and other extracurricular activities our kids will participate in during the fall. The challenge is to piece together a schedule that works for the kids but is not too busy, allowing enough time for homework and other activities and does not conflict with other commitments.

There is no one best way to do this, but I'll share what we do, which works for us. We start by talking to our kids about what they'd like to do, focusing first on sports/activites they've done in the past. In our case, that includes gymnastics, golf, soccer and scouting. The result: both kids want to continue gymnastics and scouting, one wants to stay with golf and neither want to play soccer. 

After determining their interest level in those, we talk about other possibilities -- things they want to do or things we'd like them to try. The result: our daughter wants to do ballet, which we can work into our schedule.

Before finalizing our plans, we meet with the kids again to review what we've discussed, and what this would mean schedule wise. We've learned from past experience that this step is essential, as they may want to do a bunch of things, but they need to know how this translates on a day-to-day basis. 

There is still no guarantee that everything will go smoothly -- as anyone with kids knows -- but involving the kids as much as we do in the decision-making process helps ensure their buyin and makes it harder for them to complain or ask to drop an activity. 

It will be fun to see how it all works out.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:18 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I spent part of this weekend watching the PGA Championship golf tournament with my 8-year-old daughter. This brought back good memories of my doing this with my dad when I was her age.

Rather than just doing this to watch TV or to spend time with me, she was very interested in the action; I could tell this by the questions she asked. I really enjoy watching golf's four majors, and it was fun to do this with her.

Since my kids were born I've hoped that they might be interested in golf. Many of my best memories are of playing golf with my dad, and I'd like nothing more than to spend quality time with my kids on the course.

I attribute my daughter's interest in golf to her being exposed to it. So far this summer she's participated in a free golf clinic for beginners, has gone to a PGA Tour event and has played several rounds of miniature golf, in addition to watching some of the majors with me on TV. 

There's no telling whether my daughter will ever play a real round of golf, but she's now more interested in the sport than ever. I'll continue to give her opportunities to have fun with the game, and to share my passion for the sport. I'm also looking forward to having someone to watch the 2008 Masters with -- and answering the questions her curiosity is sure to produce.  

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:46 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

I've spent some time over the past few weeks talking to my 10 and 8 year olds about Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and the all-time home run record.

I told them I thought Babe Ruth was the best of the bunch, and that his accomplishments are much more impressive than the other two. Ruth often hit more home runs in a season than entire teams, something Aaron and Bonds have never done.

I told them that Hank Aaron was a model of consistency who never hit 50 or more home runs in a single season, but was a great hitter who overcame tremendous racial prejudice and numerous death threats to break the record while displaying tremendous class to everyone.

I told them that Barry Bonds has also had a great career, but that it's widely believed he used performance enhancing drugs like steroids to be more effective -- and hit more home runs -- at the end of his career than anyone else.

I told them that Bonds' body has gotten much larger over the years, supposedly from the steroids. I told them that he's consistenly denied using steroids, and that he hasn't been found guilty of violating any of baseball's rules, including its drug policy, so some say despite the evidence that he's innocent until proven guilty.

I told them based on what I've read that I think Bonds has used steroids, which have given him an unfair advantage that's not in the best interest of the game. I told them that many recent players are suspected of using steroids, but that doesn't make it OK for Bonds.

It's interesting that perhaps the recent baseball player my kids know best is Cal Ripken, who was recently inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for what was one of the most consistently good careers of any player ever.

I told them that while Ripken stands for everything that's good about baseball -- hitting, fielding, playing hard every day, representing the sport well both on and off the field, etc. -- Bonds is far from a role model. His "me first" attitude and surliness make him very hard to like, and the steroid controversy is something that will always be hanging over his head.

I told them that I am already rooting for Alex Rodriguez and others to one day break the record Bonds is likely to set soon.

I told them no sport has a richer history than baseball, and the all-time home run record is arguably the best known record in sport.

I told them I wanted a player I could respect to hold this record, rather than one who fans greet with asterisk signs and boo heartily when Bonds is playing away from San Francisco.

I told them the attention surrounding Bonds is bad for baseball, and that I'm actually hoping Bonds breaks the record soon so we can move on and focus on other things -- like the trading deadline and pennant races.

They didn't have much to say, but I felt better for sharing my perspective on Bonds and underlying message -- that working hard and doing things the right way is better than taking shortcuts.    

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My 10- and 8-year old kids occasionally watch golf with me on television, and they recognize a few top players. Tiger Woods, though, is the one they are most interested in. So when Tiger's tournament, otherwise known as the AT&T National, came to Congressional Country Club in the Washington, D.C. suburbs this week, I asked if they wanted to go. They did.

Once we got on the grounds, they asked every 10 minutes or so when we would see Tiger Woods. I explained that he didn't tee off for several hours, but the questions persisted. About an hour before his tee time, we spotted Tiger on the putting green, and watched him for 15 minutes.

About two hours later, we watched Tiger play one hole as part of gallery that was four deep around the entire hole before leaving.

Asked on the car ride home what they thought of their first golf tournament, both kids mentioned they liked seeing Tiger Woods in person.

It's no wonder that all tournaments want Tiger in their field. When he plays, tournament attendance and television ratings are much higher then when he's not competing. For me, though, the fact that he has helped spark an interest in golf with my kids is much more meaningful.

As the ultimate golf prodigy, Tiger went out of his way to ensure as many kids as possible could attend his tournament by letting all kids 12 and under in for free. There's nothing like seeing a tournament in person, and I have a feeling that after this experience, it will be easier to both get them to another tournament and to consider joining me when I go to the practice range.

Thanks Tiger.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:12 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My 9-year-old son is interested in both BMX and skateboarding. So when I found out that Baltimore was the first stop of the 2007 AST (Action Sports Tour), which features skateboarding, BMX and motocross, I made plans for him and I to go.

Now I've watched bits and pieces of these action or extreme sports on TV from time to time. but never in person. When we got there, my son wanted to go directly to the BMX Park, so that's where we spent most of our time. It was interesting to watch both the riders -- who performed a dazzling array of tricks with names that for the most part were Greek to me -- and my son watch the riders. Although he's never seen BMX in person, he had an instant sense of what tricks were really cool, and which ones he might like to try some day.

I felt compelled to talk about how long the riders practice a trick before trying it in competition, and that it takes even the best riders some time to work up to bigger tricks. My son, though, was ready to give some of the most basic things he saw a try.

Within a couple of hours of getting home, he was out on his bike, which he viewed much differently than he had a day earlier. I must admit that I did as well. I was impressed with the skills of the riders we watched, and while being somewhat nervous, am interested to see what new moves my son works on with his bike. I am also glad we now have this in common on some level, and that this may continue as long as he's interested in BMX and those type of sports.   

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:29 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My daughter's softball team, which I coach, only had four players for today's game, as compared to the other team's nine. That's the bare minimum we needed to play, thanks to league rules that have parents serving as both pitcher and catcher. 

This discrepency in numbers didn't seem to faze the girls on our team at all. The couldn't help but notice all the fielders when they were at bat, but their hits seemed to go where the other team wasn't the entire game.

After several innings in which both teams scored the maximum or five runs an inning, in the span of five minutes we made our first double play of the season on a lineout and caught a pop fly to retire the side after allowing only one run.

We scored four runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, and an inning later, scored three runs to win the game by a run. It's interesting that the parents talked a lot about the difference in numbers, but the girls didn't mention it. In fact, rather than looking at the small lineup as a disadvantage, they were glad to get to bat more often than normal.

Parents in this situation would think the odds of the smaller team winning would be too much to overcome, but kids don't think that way, and it showed on the field. That's why they play the game, as the old saying goes, and I couldn't have been prouder of our team for their effort today -- win or lose.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

My daughter Olivia decided she wanted to play softball this spring. New to the sport, she is in the Rookie League, which is comprised of second and third graders who are just learning the game. 

After having several practices or clinics involving all the Rookie League players, a draft was held to select teams. It turned out that they had more teams than coaches, so Olivia's team needed a coach.

I've coached both youth baseball and basketball previously, but not my kids' teams. I was interested in doing it, but wanted to get Olivia's thoughts before signing on. She was all for it, so I said yes.

I've read a lot about what to do and not to do when coaching your kids, but what I was most looking forward to was spending some quality time with my daughter doing something we were both interested in.

Driving to and from practices and games, we have some interesting conversations about my coaching her team, what she likes about softball and how the practice or game went. Once we arrive at the field, she helps me prepare, sort of like an assistant coach.

And once the practice or game begins, she listens well to me and the other coaches, tries hard and seems to have fun, not necessarily in that order. The fact that I am there to witness and share in this is special. This is our time together, and I look forward to future practices and games. Olivia and I have always shared an interest in sports and games, and it's fun to be doing this together.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 08:38 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Major League Baseball is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier today. More than 100 players, including several entire teams, are wearing Robinson's number 42 today in tribute to him.

This has received a lot of media attention, as have the highlights of Robinson's struggle with being the first African-American player and his subsequent success, which I think is a good thing.

I heard a radio feature on Robinson recently when travelling with my kids, who hadn't heard of Robinson. I proceeded to tell them about Robinson's pioneering role, the challenges he faced and the fact that his success was critical to more African-American players becoming Major League players.

They asked a few questions about Robinson and the treatment he received, but my sense is that the next time they are asked about him, they'll remember some of our conversation. Robinson is arguably much more than just a famous athlete, but a key figure in the struggle for civil rights, and someone I'm glad my kids now know something about.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 07:58 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

As a golfer, I wanted to introduce my kids to the sport. To that end, I've taken them a few times to a local nine-hole course, where there is both a hitting net and a putting and chipping green that we've used. These sessions were long on fun and short on instruction.

This course happens to be a First Tee facility. The First Tee is a program open to kids of all backgrounds between the ages of 8-17 designed to introduce them to golf, and the values golf instills. After our last trip, I called the local First Tee office to find out about programs it offers in our area.

It turns out the First Tee runs 6-week clinics in the spring, summer and fall at this course which are free and run by PGA-certified professionals. I mentioned this to my 9-year-old son Graham, who wanted to give it a try.

Graham's first hour-and-a-half clinic was the Monday after the Masters, which he watched some of with me. Graham told me all about it afterward, from the hitting balls in the net and chipping to the work on his grip and stance. In short, he had a good time, and is eager to go back next week.

Programs like the First Tee are a great way to introduce kids to a sport like golf. They get instruction from certified teaching professionals while also learning more about the game and the benefits it offers. For more information on the First Tee, or to find a First Tee facility near you, go to www.thefirsttee.org. 

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 09:51 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

When I was growing up, my dad was big on instruction. He wanted to make sure I did things the right way. Looking back on it I think this approach worked well for me in the long run, as I'm pretty decent at many sports, but I wasn't crazy about it at the time.

Fast forward 30-plus years to when I'm introducing my kids to a variety of sports. My tendency is heavy on instruction, but I'm learning from my kids that a little instruction goes a long way, and what's really important is that they are having fun.

Today, for example, my son and I went to a golf course to chip and putt. My son had never chipped before, but was eager to try. I had him watch me chip two shots while I explained the basics, and then I let him loose to try it on his own. After about 10 minutes he came back to ask how to get his chips in the air.

I started what was to be a long explanation on this, but after my first point, about moving the ball back in his stance, he said "Dad, that's all the instruction I need." Sure enough, he soon hit a few chips with the right trajectory, and was thrilled.

So was I, both at his success and for the lesson he taught me. The best part is, he's more interested in golf than ever, which is what I was hoping for in the first place.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 10:05 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

Golf is known as a sport that players often call penalties on themselves, penalties that usually have not been noticed by anyone else. These examples of sportsmanship usually receive some media coverage, in part because they are growing ever more rare in sports today.

In last week's PGA Tour event, the Honda Classic, golfer Mark Wilson's caddie broke a rule when he told another player's caddie what club Wilson used for a particular shot. Doing so is considered giving advice, which is a rule violation. Wilson immediately told a tour official, who assessed Wilson a two-stroke penalty for his caddie's actions.

Undeterred, Wilson overcame the penalty to finish in a four-way tie for first at the end of 72 holes. Of course, one could say that Wilson would have won his first PGA title, and more than $900,000, if he didn't assess himself the two-stroke penalty, but Wilson didn't look at it that way.

Instead, Wilson made a 10-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole to win the title, the oversized check golfers always get and the respect of his peers and sports fans everywhere for his honesty and sportsmanship in the heat of competition.

Calling the penalty on himself reduced Wilson's chances to win, but he didn't consider any other action because it was the right thing to do. We as parents and coaches of youth sports athletes would do well to share stories like this with our kids, and to act this way ourselves.

Posted by Chris Lindsley at 11:12 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

There are several musts for a true baseball fan: Going to the National Baseba