Safe summer sports for kids

The long, hot days of summer are upon us, and many parents are dying to get their kids out of the house (and out of their hair) while they don’t have any school. But selecting a proper summer sports clinic is not as simple as it seems. There are some things to check off before enrolling your child in a program that may leave him or her traumatized and hating sports instead.

Ask your child. Not every kid wants to be a Michael Jordan or Mark Spitz. Even if you feel your child would be suited to a particular sport, ask him or her if that’s what he or she really wants. Sometimes, parents use their children to fulfill their frustrations of becoming a competitive athlete. If your child wants to quit right away, try to convince them to give it a second chance. But if they do so and still want to stop, there’s no sense in forcing them, because they will just end up resenting you for doing so.

The name game. It is often much safer to put your child in a training regimen implemented by a former national player or coach. They usually have the clout to bring together ranked or experienced coaches and trainers, as well. Summer sports clinics staged in schools usually have more credibility than those merely being held in someone’s home. The Milo Sports Clinics all over the country, and those conducted by various long-time sports groups are great entry points.

Watch your child. I know that there are still some swimming schools that disallow parents from watching when they toss your inexperienced child screaming into deep water. Frankly, I don’t agree with that approach, because I’d rather let children build confidence before throwing big challenges at them. Besides, I’m always suspicious of coaches who won’t allow me to watch how they treat my child. Remember baby sitters who abuse children when the parents aren’t around?

Have your own guidelines. Make sure you know what you’re expecting. Obviously, having a drill sergeant for an eight-year old is not healthy. What result do you want? Do you just want your child to understand the fundamentals of the sport, or are you after a competitive career for your kid? Reinforce the training with some individualized practice if you can.

Bring supplies. Since it’s very hot, be sure your child gets a lot of water. Excitement and exertion always make a person consume more water than usual, and there is a very real danger of heat stroke, particularly in outdoor sports. Sun block and head gear may also serve your child well in these situations.

When in doubt, pull out. If, for any reason, you don’t feel comfortable with the way your child is being treated, pull them out. It is better to err on the side of caution when it comes to their fragile emotions. Some parents are hard on their children without knowing it, thinking that if they can take the punishment, their offspring can, too. You may want to opt for instructing your child yourself, as long as you don’t pressure him into immediate performance.

Follow up. If your child shows interest, don’t let the fun die at the end of summer. For all you know, your son or daughter may have found his calling; that is a priceless gift. Many adults regret not having pursued their athletic careers as far as they could. I know I do. Besides, some of the world’s greatest athletes became unbelievably talented over the span of a summer. After he was cut from Laney High’s basketball team, Michael Jordan spent the summer getting better. And the rest, as the cliché goes, is history.

* * *

The Dickies MP Turbo Racing Team of Tonton and Monching Gutierrez will be launched tonight at Ratsky Tomas Morato. American Star Apparel, which manufactures Dickies, is sponsoring the event in the hope of bringing together the diverse racing fraternity. Slapshock will be performing after the program.

Incidentally, Johnny Abarrientos settles rumors about his alleged drug use once and for all on The Basketball Show tomorrow at 2 p.m. over RPN 9. Also on the program, your favorite Fil-Am players and imports make their fashion statements.