7.2.B. PRSR 12-12-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Standard #1 Quality Sports Environment Youth sports programs must be developed and organized to ensure,as well as to enhance,the emotional, physical, social and educational well-being of children. Background: A wide variety of youth sports experiences are available today. Historically, many programs have been modeled after adult-oriented programs using rules,skill expectations and competitive requirements replicated from high school, college and professional levels. Today, programs must be designed and administered so that every child, regardless of their abilities, has an opportunity to positively benefit from participation. Rationale: Youth sports programs should be based on meaningful participation.All children physically and emotionally mature at different rates. In order to have a quality youth sports environment consider the appropriate age range of the participants,the rules of the sport and the proper level of physical and emotional stress. Implementation: 1. Leagues should be required to abide by written policies and procedures. 2. Leagues should be guided by a written mission statement that provides a foundation for the program's purpose and goals. 3. Leagues should maximize play time for all by establishing a minimum play rule/policy. 4. Leagues should organize programs using the following guidelines,although modifications can be made when total participation numbers are low: a. Developmental Programs for children 6 years old and under: * Informal teams * Focus on motor skill development * Scores and/or standings not emphasized * Roster size, rules, equipment and fields modified * Limited uniforms * Post-season tournament or all-star competition highly discouraged * Encourage boys and girls to participate together whenever possible * No travel * Coaches permitted on playing surface b. Instructional Sports Programs for 7 to 8 year olds: • Focus on skill development and rules of the game * Scores and standings not emphasized • Roster size, rules, equipment and fields modified * Limited uniforms • Encourage a variety of position and situational play • Post-season tournament or all-star competition discouraged • Encourage boys and girls to participate together whenever possible * Travel discouraged * Coaches permitted on playing surface c. Organizational Programs for 9 to 10 year olds: * Scores kept but standings de-emphasized * Roster sizes, rules, equipment and fields modified when necessary • Encourage a variety of position and situational play * Out-of-community postseason play only when necessary • No national tournament participation d. Skill Enhancement and Enrichment Programs for 11 year olds and above: * Scores and standings de-emphasized • Proper grouping and selection procedures to ensure fair and equitable teams • Encourage a variety of position and situational play 5. Leagues should develop skill level assessments to establish teams using methods to ensure teams are balanced by considering weight, skill and special needs when grouping children. 6. Leagues should establish a no-cut policy so all children can participate in recreational programs. 7. League standings should be discouraged below the age of nine and de-emphasized below the age of 13. 8. Leagues and coaches should not require sports specialization or year-around participation. J National Standards for Youth Sports Copyright©2008 by NAYS