Dads Guide to the Ages of Kids For Starting Sports

A lot of the fun of being a dad is helping kids discover their passions, and that starts with sharing what turns you on. If you love to play golf, you'll hope that you and your child will one day be walking the links together. For others, it's basketball or baseball. Here's a quick look at when many kids are ready to experiment with different sports:

Swimming
Since babies swim in the womb, this is the most natural sport they can do. And, it's one you can do with them. Many baby swim classes exist. Check out your local Y, around one year old. Aggressive swim coaches will suggest that all kids can learn to swim; be aware that kids learn on their own schedule and that some can't actually swim until around five, no matter how many lessons you force on them. Swimming is a basic life skill though, and one all dads should help their kids learn.

Downsides: Poop in pool (never let your kid in the pool without swim diapers), long prep time with showers and locker rooms.

Football
Fast and furious, this is a good game for active energized kids, beginning around five. Don't allow anything other than flag football until around eight though.

Downside: Depending on how protective you are, it may create safety concerns.

Tennis
While little kids can bat the ball around, watch for the kind of hand/eye coordination need to develop around eight years old.

Downside: While tennis elbow may not be the greatest danger, watch out for flying racquets.

Soccer
The love of parents everywhere since kids can run and kick very early on. Some classes start at four, but wait until five if you want to see kids learn to play as a team.

Downside: Do you really want to become a "soccer mom?"

Baseball
The great American pastime is also hard to learn until the kindergarten years, though T-Ball can be fun for pre-schoolers around four.

Downsides: Seen as very slow and boring, and often requires a major time commitment for parents as well.

Gymnastics
Start on gymnastics as early as three. Kids at this age show no fear and can learn things older ones just won't try.

Downside: Strenuous and requires good coaching to prevent injuries.

Basketball
You can try basketball earlier, but little kids may find dribbling and especially, shooting frustrating until age six. Basketball is a great game for cardiovascular exercise throughout life.

Downside: Kids who are not as tall or fast may feel left out of the game.

There's nothing 6 year olds or older kids Camping with dadlove more than being in the outdoors. You can use camping with kids to teach independence and self-sufficiency.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on pregnancy, parenting and many more topics related to dads. Your parenting skills is likely to impact the way your child grows basketball Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, basketball clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.

Organizing Your Practice Time - 25 Time Proven Ideas

Preparing for practice is a key step toward success. Teaching time on the floor with your players is limited and valuable. Much time and thought should be put into each practice session basketball maximize productivity and make positive steps forward as a team. The quality of your practices will eventually determine how many games you win or lose during the season. The talent level of players, number of players, time, facilities, and equipment are all things to consider when putting your practice schedule together.

The following is a collection of ideas that will contribute to more organized and productive practice sessions.

KEYS TO ORGANIZING PRACTICE

1. Each day ask this question: What do I want to accomplish this practice session?

2. Certain aspects of the game should be performed every day. These include ball handling, shooting, defense, rebounding, passing, and setting picks.

3. Be a teacher on the floor and assume nothing when teaching. These four points are important when teaching: explain, demonstrate, perform, and critique. basketball positive comments.

4. Teach new concepts early in practice sessions when players are most alert.

5. Once new ideas have been taught, repetition is the key to progress.

6. When showing a new concept to the team, walk through it first so players can see what is expected. This is the whole-part-whole concept.

7. Follow up demanding drills with free throws or less strenuous drills. Shoot free throw when fatigued to replicate game settings.

8. Simulate game conditions in practice so players are accustomed to these conditions. Use the game and shot clock to simulate various game situations.

9. Practice what you stress and believe in. Work on those things you will use in games.

10. Build conditioning into your drills to avoid excessive running after practice. Don't make players dread the end of practice. Great teaching can be done at the very end of practice sessions.

11. Limit drills to 5-7 minutes. Half and full court team situations will take a bit longer, depending on your goal for that drill.

12. Explain the purpose of drills. Share with players the reason for drills and why they must be mastered.

13. Organize drills to minimize periods of player inactivity. Keep them constantly involved.

14. Stretching and warm-up drills should get players ready to practice and help avoid injury.

15. Meet with certain players before practice for needed individual or small group work.

16. Meet with your coaches before practice so that all teaching points and practice goals are understood.

17. Meet as a staff following practice to discuss how the practice went and identify things to be worked on or repeated the next day.

18. Construct a master practice plan for everything that needs to be covered throughout the course of the season. Break the master plan down into weekly and daily practice plans.

19. Consider the number of players, balls, and assistant coaches in order to utilize your facility to its fullest.

20. Use managers or student assistants as helpers in practice. Managers make great passers in practice.

21. Incorporate jump ropes, toss backs and blocking pads into your practice.

22. The floor should be swept before practice and have towels and water available at courtside.

23. Use video tape equipment to tape practice so coaches and players can evaluate the previous day's practice or scrimmage.

24. Include a saying or emphasis of the day on each daily practice plan and share it with your players

25. End each practice on a positive note. Team oriented drills give them a feeling of togetherness as they leave the floor.

Beginning coaches must devise a practical practice plan template that you can use daily. There are many ways to design your plan for optimal use and effectiveness. Select the practice plan that fits you and your staff's needs best. As you organize your practices, attempt to stay with the original time allotted for each drill or activity.

Take your coaching one step further by writing notes or reminders after practice on the back of that day's sheet. These changes, observations, and ideas may become a big part of your next big victory. They also come in handy when planning the next days practice and will provide insight into your own coaching for years to come.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA apprearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com.

Life Direction Coach - Becoming a Coach

What is basketball Life Direction Coach and Why? The why first. Even the best of the best use coaches. Basketball, baseball, hockey, they all need coaches and some even have a personal coach. The reason because we can't do everything and a outside perspective can help.

I had a friend who was a great basketball player, but he couldn't play golf basketball all. Even after hiring a good golf coach he still was Ok at best. The point is we all get stuck in a routine and at a level we find comfort in. So I ask the question, Why Not if you have the money why not improve your life and others around you.

Here are a few things a Life Coach can help you with.

• encourage you to set and achieve goals important to you (even goals you thought unattainable).
• focus you to produce better and faster results.
• encourage you to do more than you would do on your own to attain your personal best.
• provide you with support, tools and structure to accomplish more.

We don't always have someone we know that has the experience or is bias enough to help us find our way to the next steps.

Is it that life is so complicated that we need a coach, well no it didn't start out that way, but I can say it may be that way today. I can tell you from experience and watching others that a problem can hinder your future for years and be a anchor that stops progress until it is solved.

Who know, after you investigate this subject further you might find you would be a candidate yourself to become a Life Direction Coach.

Visit Don Richardo's Solution Hub for more information. Go through the Don's Rolodex to read about this subject and more. Tell Him I sent Ya.