Can We Change
the Culture of
Youth Sports?
(BPT) - Youth sports are, and should always
be, a valuable experience, filled with
challenges, competition and fun. But
preventable injuries sideline too many young
athletes; in 2013, 1.24 million kids sustained a
sports injury severe enough to go to the
emergency room.
New research suggests that the current
culture of sports may be leading to
unnecessary injuries. A new report, "Changing
the Culture of Youth Sports," published by
Safe Kids Worldwide, with the support of
Johnson & Johnson, reveals an alarming
number of young athletes are injured as a
result of dirty play. The survey of 1,000 young
athletes, 1,000 coaches and 1,000 parents
also found that young athletes are hiding
injuries to stay in the game and parents are
pressuring coaches to play injured athletes.
Based on the results of the survey, Safe Kids
recommends parents, coaches and players
take three steps to change the culture in youth
sports so kids can stay in the game.
1. Put an end to dirty play. One in four young
athletes reported it is normal to commit hard
fouls and play rough to "send a message"
during a game. This norm leads to a disturbing
number of injuries: 33 percent of athletes
report being hurt as the result of "dirty play" by
an opponent. Sports teach valuable lessons and
should be competitive and entertaining, but we
must move away from a "winning at all costs"
mentality that is actually detrimental to the
health and development of young athletes.
2. Give coaches the training they need and
want. One in four coaches reported they don't
take any specific actions to prevent sports
injuries. Less than half of coac