Poor Coaching

The coach of a youth sports team has the ability to make the experience an enjoyable or miserable one for a young athlete. If a coach is in it to win games and championships rather than emphasize learning and enjoyment, then he is not the right kind of person to lead young people. Some coaches will act warm and friendly to young players when they perform well but then act like they barely know the youngster when they go into a slump. This can ruin a young person's attitude and make the experience painful.

Injuries

Organized youth sports take steps to keep young people from getting hurt while playing. But sports are not risk-free and even with the right techniques, players are going to get injured. This is particularly true when they play contact sports such as football, hockey and soccer. Injuries can also occur in basketball, baseball, volleyball and tennis. Youngsters who suffer serious injuries (knee, shoulder, back and neck) might be hesitant to take the field in competitive situations again.

Parental Pressure

Sometimes the parents of athletes put undue pressure on young performers. Some might be blatant and provide specific expectations. "I expect you to get at least two hits tonight," a father might say because he hopes to bring out a good performance. Others might indicate that the family name is on the line and issue a threat. "You better not do anything to embarrass me," could be a parent's last words before their child takes the field. Those are harmful words. Even if the child does perform well after hearing those words, all he might feel is relief. He won't feel any of the joy that these sports are designed to promote.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/95532-negative-effects-youth-sports/#ixzz2OCTFS1Ws

The Negative Effects of Youth Sports

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Stan Mack

Stan Mack is a business writer specializing in finance, business ethics and human resources. His work has appeared in the online editions of the "Houston Chronicle" and "USA Today," among other outlets. Mack studied philosophy and economics at the University of Memphis.

By Stan Mack, eHow Contributor

Having fun will prevent kids from burning out.

Children love sports, but since they are still developing physically and mentally, they may encounter some negative effects. If possible, choose an organized-sports league that actively promotes healthy attitudes and lifestyles among its members. With a supportive environment and the right encouragement, you will be able to minimize the chances of either physical or mental injuries to your child.

Injuries

• A 2009 report published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) outlines some common risks of injuries for children in sports. These include sprains and strains (muscle, ligament and tendon injuries), growth plate injuries (damage to areas of tissue growth near the ends of bones in growing children), repetitive motion injuries and heat-related illnesses. To avoid these injuries, the NIH recommends researching the sports organization you enroll your child in to make sure it has officials and coaches trained in CPR and first aid. Also, the NIH recommends that your child have all necessary protective gear. Finally, make sure your child stays hydrated and follows the safety rules of the sport.