Get in the Game!

Team sports play up skills that last a lifetime

A teamed-up family—The Wiselys of Macungie love sports: (l-r) mother Meg plays tennis and golf; Beth, 11, plays basketball and soccer; Frank, 17, is on his high school football and basketball teams; Trisha, 15, is also a high school athlete in basketball and soccer; father Frank coaches basketball in various leagues; and Matthew, 13, is a basketball and travel baseball player. For more on this active family, click the link at the bottom of this article or call 610-402-CARE.

“Batter up!” When your child steps up to the plate, she’s developing valuable physical, emotional and social skills as well as having fun. And you don’t have to be a child to enjoy the game— team sports benefit people of all ages.

“Being on a team can motivate you to live a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape, even after the season is over,” says Jackie Svrcek, exercise physiologist at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “You want to be ready for next year because you enjoyed it so much. Playing a sport doesn’t feel like exercise; it feels like fun.”

Fun is the name of the game, especially for children. “Young children who feel pressure from parents and coaches get disenchanted quickly,” says Svrcek’s colleague, pediatrician Jonathan Pletcher, M.D. “But if they’re having a great time, even if they don’t make a career of the sport (and very few people do), they’ll gain a storehouse of memories, friendships and life lessons.”

Team sports can shape all aspects of a child’s development, Pletcher says. “On a team, children learn social skills in a setting outside school or family. They learn about their own capabilities, and also about interdependence and having an entire team depend on and support them. Sometimes tough decisions force them to think about their core beliefs. This is all part of moral identity development, which is a huge part of becoming an adult.”

A soccer mom, in both senses —When she saw how much fun her sons were having playing soccer, 39-yearold Amy Riegel of Macungie decided to give it a try. Also a runner, Riegel found she loves the team aspect of soccer (and her boys love watching her play)

People who’ve played on teams also may find it easier to work with others and assume leadership roles. “Team sports teach you to accept differences in skills and abilities. You learn sportsmanship and respect, and how to help and learn from each other,” says Jim Ezrow, a social worker at the hospital. Team members also learn how to play by the rules, and how to lose.

“Losing is a tremendous learning opportunity,” Pletcher says. “You figure out how to rebound, stick with it, evaluate your own role, and support each other so you don’t have that loss again.” And while too much competition at a young age can put a damper on the game, as children mature they learn how to use pressure to improve their performance.

Finally, team sports are a great way to meet new friends with similar interests. Team play teaches children and adults the value of doing something for the love of it and building a community. “In the end it’s not about the final score, it’s about what you’ve learned, how you’ve grown and the relationships you’ve developed,” Pletcher says.

If you think some team play would help you or your family, here’s how to get started:

Know what you want and look for a good match. Explore the various types of leagues in community recreation centers, YMCAs, private clubs and school districts. Some are more competitive than others. Consider skill level, goals of the team, coaching style and players’ ages in finding the league that offers your best chance for success.

• For children, look for a positive atmosphere that emphasizes fun, safety and skill-building appropriate to the child’s age. Monitor how much they enjoy the experience and what they’re learning. Make sure they get playing time.
• Don’t overspecialize by position—Stay versatile and remember, Babe Ruth started as a pitcher!
• Learn about the sport—Time commitment, location, season, travel, rules.
• Consider facilities—Indoor/outdoor, year-round, availability, cost.
• Get proper equipment for the player’s size and age.
• Ask others who’ve been on teams about their experience.
• Get in shape if you’ve been inactive—As an all-around conditioner, brisk walking is hard to beat.

Want to Know More? For tips on being a good sports parent, call 610-402-CARE.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, September-October 2007

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