Even Olympians Were Once Kids...and Some Were Allowed To Act Like Them!

Submitted by Gwenn OKeeffe on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 21:02. | comments

Reading this story a couple of months ago was music to my ears! Ryan Lochte, an elite, Olympic swimmer did not lift weights as a kid. Was his dad a visionary or just being overly cautious?

Brooke de Lench

Playing from the Same Playbook on Concussions

Submitted by Brooke de Lench on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 20:14. | comments

It is my belief that parents have a right to expect, when they entrust their children to a sports program - whether it be Pee Wee hockey, youth lacrosse, Olympic development soccer, or high school football - that it will take reasonable precautions to protect them against harm. In other words, parents have a right to expect that the entire team to whom they entrust their children's safety - including the national governing body for the child's sport, the state association, the athletic or club director, the athletic trainer (if there is one), and especially the coaches - are part of the concussion solution, not part of the problem.

Updating My Concussion Grading Guidelines

In the July-September 2001 issue of the Journal Of Athletic Training devoted exclusively to the subject of concussions in athletes, I proposed some modifications to a set of concussion grading guidelines I first issued in 1986 based on my experience in the fifteen years since.

Death of Ex-NFL Star Highlights Need for Vigilence on Concussions

The finding by a neuropathologist that brain damage from repeated concussions suffered by former NFL star Andre Waters likely led to his depression and ultimate death by suicide in November 2006 highlights once again the critical need for parents and youth athletes to become educated and proactive about concussions.

Qualities of A Good Coach

Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., talks about the qualities that make good coaches and provides first-hand accounts of seeing great coaches in action.

Who's Who in the World of Sports Psychology

Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., explains what the various degrees in sports psychology, sports psychiatry, and education mean, and recommends use of MomsTeam to provide parents and coaches with information.

Counselers and Teachers, the Role of Parents in Youth Sports

Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., talks about the role of parents in youth sports as teachers and as emotional supporters.

Lessons Learned through Sports

Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., discusses the important life lessons children can learn through participation in sports.

Talking With A Child After a Poor Game or Performance

Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., provides tips on how parents can talk to a young athlete after he has performed poorly in a game or competition, and the importance of consoling the child, rather than putting him down.

Approaching Youth Sports Coaches When Parents Share Common Concerns

Child psychologist Shari Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., says that, in most circumstances, a parent's best course of action if she has a concern with her child's coach is to empower the young athlete to speak to the coach herself. When a number of parents on a team find that they share a common concern, however, it may be time to request that the coach hold a team meeting for players and parents. It is important that parents inform the coach in advance of the meeting of the general area of concern and that they emphasize that the goal is to find a positive solution that is best for all the children.

Team of Experts