Young people who play organized sports can get many benefits from the activity, such as learning the importance of teamwork. However, playing organized sports is not always beneficial.
Attitude
The attitudes of young people who participate in team sports can be impacted negatively. This situation can be exacerbated by the young person's parents if they make the child's performance in their chosen sport seem too important. If a young player performs extremely well, he might get an overinflated opinion of himself and develop an attitude of self-importance. Parents who feed into this can make it worse by telling the youngster how great the young athlete is. On the other hand, a young person who struggles in his chosen sport may start to develop a negative self-image and feel that he is not worthy and lacks value. Again, parents who pressure a child to perform can make the situation worse.
Injury
Playing sports can be dangerous. A basketball player can go up for a rebound, fall awkwardly and injure the back, knee or ankle. Football players may be at risk to concussions, broken bones and torn ligaments. Baseball players can get injured if they get hit with the ball or take a hard fall while chasing down a ball. Soccer players are at risk for knee injuries. While injuries will happen at all levels of sports, athletes should have a preseason health exam to make sure they are healthy to start.
Poor Coaching
Coaches are in a position to teach children about their sport and also influence them for the positive about other aspects of life. Coaches who are abusive should be avoided at all costs. Make sure your child's coach has an adult perspective and is not motivated to win at all costs. The coach must always have the kids' welfare at heart and not his own ego.
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