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Standard #2 Sports participation should be fun and a portion of a <br /> child's life <br /> Youth sports are only one portion of a child's life that must be balanced with other social and educational <br /> experiences and activities. <br /> Background: <br /> The foundation for human development occurs during the early years of life. Individuals that are <br /> exposed to many different learning situations increase their potential for successful development. Youth <br /> sports participation is a valuable component to a child's overall healthy development. <br /> Rationale: <br /> Parents, coaches and league administrators need to encourage children to be involved in a variety of <br /> programs and activities to experience positive growth and development, while taking great care to <br /> ensure that the child isn't overscheduled or that activities don't detract from their academic learning. <br /> Parents must respect a child's decision to play or not play, while keeping in mind that commitment is still <br /> important for their growth and development. Parents, coaches and league administrators must also <br /> realize that a child's involvement in youth sports affects the entire family. <br /> Implementation: <br /> 1. Leagues, parents and coaches should encourage participation in a variety of youth activities in <br /> addition to sports while not over-scheduling. <br /> 2. Leagues should establish rules that limit organized practices and games to no more than one hour a <br /> day and three days a week up to age 8; not more than 1.5 hours and four days a week for ages 9 to <br /> 12; and not more than two hours and four days a week for ages 13 and above. <br /> 3. Leagues should adopt policies that make provisions for excused absences. <br /> 4. Everyone involved should understand that positive life skills are learned/gained from participation in <br /> youth sports programs. <br /> \IV <br /> I <br /> National Standards for Youth Sports Copyright©2008 by NAYS <br />