2017 is the start of a new initiative for our youth sports programs. Play Smart in Parks encourages youth development and wellness in sports. We have partnered with several local organizations to provide high quality trainings, resources and outreach in areas including positive coaching, concussion awareness, injury prevention, equipment and safety gear access, hydration and nutrition.
Partners include University of Missouri Extension, JCMG, SSM Health, National Alliance for Youth Sports, Healthy Schools Healthy Communities and NRPA's Commit to Health.
Play Smart in Parks is an active guide and support tool for all Youth Sports coaches, parents/guardians, participants and staff. The safety and well-being of participants is our number one priority. Please familiarize yourself with the educational material.
| SPORTSMANSHIP |
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Please review the following sportsmanship information for Youth Sports’ aspirations in our programs.
- Please think about how you coach and how you actually want to coach. (if someone videoed you coaching, would you like what you see?
- Are you showing good sportsmanship?
- Is your team? players and parents? If someone videoed your parents during your game, would you like what you see?
| AWARDS |
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In leagues that do not keep standings, all participants receive a gift (ie. medal) at the end of their season. In leagues that we do keep score, medals are awarded to teams in 1st place and some leagues award 2nd place teams.
| TRAINED STAFF AND COACHES |
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Youth sports coaches, many of which are volunteers, are the foundation of youth sports in the U.S. Those who are trained and educated on the many different aspects involved with coaching kids are best prepared to provide participants with a fun-filled, safe and rewarding experience.
NAYS Coach Training & Membership Program, formerly the National Youth Sports Coaches Association or NYSCA, is the most widely used coach training program in the nation, having trained more than 3 million coaches since its inception in 1981. NAYS Coach Training is available online for coaches to complete at their convenience; and it’s also offered on-site in more than 3,000 communities nationwide.
Training
The top quality NAYS Coach Training features two components: Coaching Youth Sports and a sport-specific training. The Coaching Youth Sports portion covers topics coaches of all sports need to know, such as working with parents; motivating kids; building confidence; instilling good sportsmanship; safety; and nutrition and hydration; among many other areas.
In the sport-specific training coaches learn how to teach the basic skills and fundamentals of the particular sport they are coaching, as well as effective drills to use during their practices.
Membership
After completing the NAYS Coach Training, coaches qualify for an annual membership, which includes a $1,000,000 excess liability insurance policy; access to member-only coaching resources and supplemental coach trainings; SportingKid Live!; a member e-newsletter; a member ID card; and corporate discounts on everyday services like car rentals, hotels and more.
National Standards for Youth Sports
NAYS E-Newsletters
| FIRST AID, CPR, AND AED |
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Please review the following information on First Aid, CPR and AED:
| CONCUSSION AWARENESS |
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Please review the following information on concussions:
- Concussion Management
- Adult Brain Injury Program
- Brain Injury
- DHSS Special Healthcare needs
- Children and Youth with special healthcare needs
- Brain Injury Association of MO
- Brain Injury Association of America
- Early Childhood ToolKit Website
- Heads Up Concussion Education
| INJURIES AND PREVENTION / SLEEP |
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Please review the following information on injuries and prevention:
- Coaches Resource for Preventing Athletic Injuries
- Parents Resource for Preventing Athletic Injuries
- Sleep in Children
- Heat Policy
| EAT SMART IN PARKS |
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Please review the following information on nutrition and hydration:
- Parent Letter
- Coach Letter
- Eat to Compete Poster
- FASTER
- Hydration Pee Chart
- Healthy Schools Healthy Communities Menu Boards (Ballfields)
- Eat Smart In Parks Menu Board (The Linc)
| AGE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT, DIMENSIONS AND RULES |
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All leagues use age appropriate equipment, dimensions, and rules to ensure safety and proper age progression in the sport.
Appropriate Shoes, Attire, and Protective Gear
- Athletic pants or shorts are encouraged which allow for more comfort.
- No skirts, dresses, or wide leg pants that could hinder safe movement or cause a participant to trip and fall.
- No sandals, flats, or sneakers similar to Chuck Taylors as they have no foot support. The only acceptable footwear is a true closed-toe athletic shoe.
- Participants may wear sport specific shoes such as plastic cleats if the program allows it. No metal cleats are allowed. If you have a participant who does not have proper footwear, let league administration know as we have a supply of new and gently used athletic shoes that they can have.
- No jewelry. This includes earrings, necklaces, watches, rings, bracelets, etc. Medical alert items are allowed.