The YMCA Philosophy of Youth Sports

YMCA Youth Sports is not just another sports program. We have a mission, and that mission is stated in our Seven Pillars of YMCA Youth Sports.

Pillar One—Everyone Plays. We do not use tryouts to select the best players, nor do we cut kids from YMCA Youth Sports. Everyone who registers is assigned to a team. During the season everyone receives equal practice time and equal playing time.

Pillar Two—Safety First. Although kids may get hurt playing sports, we do all we can to prevent injuries. We’ve modified each sport to make it safer and more enjoyable to play. Coaches make sure the equipment and facilities are safe, and they teach the sport as we’ve prescribed so that the skills taught are appropriate for athletes’ developmental levels. And coaches constantly supervise their players and stop any unsafe activities more.

Pillar Three- Fair Play. Fair play is about playing by the rules- and more.  It’s about coaches and players showing respect for all involved in YMCA Youth Sports. It’s about coaches being role models of good sporting behavior and guiding their players to do the same.

Pillar Four—Positive Competition. We believe competition is a positive

process when the pursuit of victory is kept in the right perspective. The right perspective is when adults make decisions that put the best interests of

the players before winning the contest. Learning to compete is important for

youngsters, and learning to cooperate in a competitive world is an essential

lesson of life. Through YMCA Youth Sports we want to help kids learn these lessons.

Pillar Five—Family Involvement. YMCA Youth Sports encourages parents to be involved appropriately in their child’s participation in our sports programs. In addition to parents being helpful as volunteer coaches, officials, and timekeepers, we encourage them to be at practices and games to support their child’s participation. To help parents get involved appropriately, YMCA Youth Sports offers parent orientation programs.

Pillar Six—Sport for All. YMCA Youth Sports is an “inclusive” sports program. We offer programs to all youngsters regardless of their race,

gender, religious creed, or ability. We ask our adult leaders to encourage and

appreciate the diversity of children in our society and to encourage the kids

and their parents to do the same.

Pillar Seven—Sport for Fun. Sports are naturally fun for most kids. Sometimes when adults become involved in children’s sporting activities they over organize and dominate the activities to the point that it destroys kids’

All parents want their kids to do well and have fun in the activities they pursue. We want you to be actively involved in positive ways with your child’s sport experiences in YMCA Youth Sports. To do that, you need to first understand your responsibilities as a parent of a child in YMCA Youth Sports:

1. Encourage your child to play sports, but don’t pressure. Let your child choose to play—and to quit—if he or she wants.

2. Understand what your child wants from sports, and provide a supportive atmosphere for achieving these goals.

3. Set limits on your child’s participation. Don’t make sport everything in your child’s life; make it a part of life.

4. Make sure the coach is qualified to guide your child through the sport experience.

5. Help your child set challenging but realistic performance goals rather than focusing only on “winning the game.”

6. Help your child understand the valuable lessons sport can teach.

7. Help your child meet responsibilities to the team and to the coach.

8. Turn your child over to the coach at practices and games—don’t meddle or coach from the sidelines.

9. Supply the coach with information on any allergies or special health conditions your child has. Make sure your child brings any necessary medications to practices and games.

Be Involved, But Not Too Involved

YMCA Youth Sports needs enthusiastic involvement from parents to be successful. Volunteering your time not only helps the program; it’s also an enjoyable way to meet other adults and make new friends. Here are just a few ways to become involved: 

A healthy involvement will usually be welcomed by both the coach and your son or daughter. However, no coach wants to be—or should be—second- guessed by parents on strategy moves or other coaching decisions. Signs of parents being too closely involved include these:

Be involved, show interest, and help the coach where he or she needs help, encourage your child— and enjoy the sport yourself!