Customer Reviews

Good Sports: The Concerned Parent's Guide to Competitive Youth Sports (Art & Science of Coaching (Paperback))

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This is an excellent overview of the proper attitude to have in coaching kid's sports, as well as containing good tips for parents on their role. But I wonder if it needs a chapter on getting the people who need to read it to actually read this book. I think the concerned parent, the one who wants to learn, will seek out this book. It is the unconcerned parent or coach, who thinks they know how to mold champions, that won't even think to read a book like this.

If there is one criticism of this book, it is that it tends to focus on team sports and does not explore the differences of how to interact with a child involved in individual sports (running, swimming, tennis, golf, etc.). Of course, the biggest abuses of poor coaching and loutish parental behavior tend to be in team sports like baseball. But I think the book would be improved with more specific examples related to individual sports to complement the information about team sports

Not only does Wolff point out some of the problems with youth sports today, he also gives solutions. As a concerned parent and coach for my children's basketball, softball and soccer teams, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the important ingredients for coaching and being an encouraging parent. This book renewed me and now my children and their teams are enjoying sports more and becoming more successful. I re-read the book prior to every season and get more out of it each time.

I run youth programs in Iowa, and after reading Mr. Wolff's book I feel more educated in the world of youth sports. Not only will this help me in my programs but also at home with my three sons.

I've enjoyed reading Rick Wolff's columns for years - every one seems to be just on the mark. This book is a great compendium of his thinking, caring approach to being a coach and parent. Any parent signing up a child in youth baseball (or any sport) should have to promise to read this book!