MVP #GenerationGo: Tips on Youth Sports (& A $50 VISA Gift Card Giveaway)

Since I have joined the MVP Generation Go Ambassador Program, I have shared many topics with you. From my style of meal planning, my favorite kid-friendly recipe to time management skills, back-to-school tips and more.

As a MVP Generation Go Ambassador, I also get to give away, with the help from Kids Fun Plaza, a $50 Visa Gift Card. 😉

Learn more about the MVP Generation Go program by going to their Facebook page to like them to get all the updates!

youth sportsPhoto credit

This week’s topic is about Youth Sports.

By now, most kids have started school.  My kids went back this past Wednesday and let me tell you it hasn’t been easy.  During the Summer, we kicked back, slept-in many mornings and just had fun.  Now it’s time to get down to business and back to a much needed routine.

With that being said, there are also many kids who are back to playing sports.  I remember my 12 year old playing soccer one year (this was a few years ago) and as she was trying to kick the ball to one of her team mates, she tripped and fell on her wrist.  She was screaming with agony.  I was so scared.  Her coach mentioned  that it was a possibility she sprained her wrist.  By the time we got home, she said she felt better. I gave her an ice pack and some Tylenol and she went to bed. Her wrist was a bit swollen but I didn’t think it was that bad.  The next morning, she said she couldn’t handle the pain so I called her pediatrician and we went within that hour.  After the doctor checked her, we were sent over to radiology to have an x-ray done.  After the x-ray, the technician said she had a fracture.

Oh no!

Do you know how bad I felt?  I was so heartbroken for her. I felt really bad but thankfully the nurse reassured me that some parents wait days and days later to bring their child to the hospital.  I’m not sure if that were true but she calmed me down.

After her cast was removed, she was no longer interested in soccer, let alone any sport.  She was my only child who adored sports but what can I do?  She’s a great violinist so I’m happy about that. 😉

Since I know very little about sports, Greg Dashaw, who is the Head Athletic Trainer at Siena College, gave all the ambassadors some tips to share with our readers.

Tips on Youth Sports

“Equipment–- it is extremely important for everyone involved in sports to have proper fitting gear. Your performance and development on the field of play can be affected by your equipment. Two examples would be:

1. Proper fitting footwear: Brand new sneakers, turf shoes, or cleats that are not broken in can cause blisters. This can cause you to miss practice and game participation. Old shoes that are too big or too small can cause you to change your gait; this could lead to other injuries.

2. A helmet that is too big is poor protection and can lead to injury if it slides down and blocks your vision. Ones that are too tight can cause headaches. It is important to have someone that is knowledgeable about the equipment that you need for your sport help you pick out the right size and get the right fit.”

And now for the giveaway.

______________________________

GIVEAWAY

MANDATORY ENTRY: I would love to know how you ensure youth sports safety. (or) What are things you do for your child to have a successful year in their sport?

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES

1) Like the MVP GenerationGo Fan page and add your tip over there as well.

2) Tweet your “Tips” comment with these hashtags: #GenerationGo.

3) Follow New York Chica and Tweet this (Once a day):

Have a Youth Sports tip? Share it for a chance 2 win a $50 GC from @NewYorkChica Ends 9/17 http://bit.ly/pjKrqg #GenerationGo #Giveaway

4) Like this post (button is below this post).

5) “Like” New York Chica on Facebook. If you liked New York Chica already (thanks!), just say so in the comment. 

6) Subscribe by email for free updates. If you’re already a confirmed email subscriber (thanks!), just state it in the comment.

**For official giveaway rules, please click here.**

PLEASE NOTE, if you don’t see your comment right away, it’s not because it didn’t go thru – it simply means your comment went to the SPAM folder and I have to approve it.  Sorry for the inconvenience. Thanks ;)

Disclosure: I am an MVP Generation Go Ambassador. MVP Has provided me with compensation for this post. My participation is voluntary and my opinions expressed here are always my own.

Comments

  1. Definitely stay hydrated and stretch beforehand!

  2. He runs track, so stretching and warming up is essential, as well as making sure he stays hydrated.

  3. Deborah Rosen says:

    To help my son have a successful year in sports…and to help ensure his safety…I always made sure he understood the concepts of fair play and sportsmanship. It seems to me that the kids and teams who understand these things play safer, have more fun and even win more than kids and teams that don’t.

  4. Deborah Rosen says:

    I like MVP GenerationGo and shared on their page: http://www.facebook.com/MVPGenerationGo#!/MVPGenerationGo/posts/279433405400007.

  5. Deborah Rosen says:

    I liked your post.

  6. Deborah Rosen says:

    I already like New York Chica on Facebook.

  7. Deborah Rosen says:

    I subscribed via email.

  8. Carol Bryant says:

    Talk to your kids about sports and the importance of playing hard and smart. If it really hurts – stop playing.

  9. Amanda Sakovitz says:
  10. Tip:
    Make sure they have the proper padding available to them.

  11. Like the MVP GenerationGo FB.
    mrcheapo

  12. Like New York Chica on FB.
    mrcheapo

  13. Follow New York Chica on twitter.
    mrcheapo

    tweet

    https://twitter.com/#!/mrcheapo/status/113338413972860929

  14. Liked this post on FB.
    mrcheapo

  15. Like” New York Chica on FB.
    mrcheapo

  16. Make sure they have the proper equipment for the sport they are playing.

  17. Valerie Mabrey says:

    i try to get the right equipment

  18. I don’t have a child but I’d encourage him or her to win if I did.

  19. Following you on Twitter as @carlyscontests and Tweet’d:

    http://twitter.com/#!/CarlysContests/status/113362962282070017

  20. Francisco Cheng says:

    it is important to always get the proper tools and equipment and always ensure that supervision is provided

  21. Mary Beth Elderton says:
  22. Beth McLeod says:

    I always make sure my daughter stops and pulls her bike to the side of the road whenever a car is coming!

  23. I make sure that my daughter has well fitting, high quality ankle braces (and wears them) for volleyball! It’s saved her from broken ankle at least once so far!

  24. I like New York Chica on facebook (Sk Sweeps)

  25. I liked this post (Sk Sweeps)

  26. My girls are young so I focus on them being well rested and well nourished before classes/practice. If they’re even a little off, their time doing an activity they love is ruined.

  27. renee walters says:

    I follow you on GFC and like you on Facebook! I would love to win this! As long as they wear their safety gear and listen to the coach everything is always fine. Thanks for the fantastic giveaway!
    Renee Walters
    bored2quickly@hotmail.com

  28. I practice with my kids and make sure they are using the proper form when playing.

  29. Soha Molina says:
  30. Mary Beth Elderton says:
  31. Amanda Sakovitz says:
  32. Instead of chemical filled, high caffeine energy drinks, introduce your teen to Switchel: Mix 1 gallon cold water with 1/2 gallon apple cider, add 1 cup unsulphered blackstrap molasses and 1/2 cup powdered ginger. Stir well.

  33. I like the MVP Generation Go fan page on Facebook, posted my tip.

  34. I Tweeted my contest tip with Hashtag #generationgo. My Twitter name is foodhistorian.

  35. I follow New York Chica on Twitter and I Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/foodhistorian/status/113874724530036736

  36. I like this post, clicked on the Facebook button .

  37. I like New York Chica on Facebook.

  38. Soha Molina says:
  39. Daily tweet

    https://twitter.com/#!/JoeyfromSC/status/114055296825036800

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

  40. Scott Martin says:

    Hydrating before the game is so important!
    THANKS for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY!!!

    Scott Martin
    spmartin122 at gmail dot com