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Postive Coaching Alliance aims at keeping kids in the game

You see it on the professional level in sports : a fight on the ice Or a bench clearing brawl.  But what happens punches are traded at the amateur level between...

You see it on the professional level in sports : a fight on the ice Or a bench clearing brawl.  But what happens punches are traded at the amateur level between parents and coaches.

For example when two parents got arrested in Georgia at a Little League game that’s when Leslee Brady can step in before it comes to that point. Brady is a Positive Coaching Alliance trainer who gives speeches to coaches and parents all across the country including York County. But her talks are not what you might think.

“They all think we are going to hold hands and pat everyone on the back, everyone gets a trophy and we don’t give a rip about winning,” says PCA trainer Leslee Brady,  “but the reality is PCA recognizes the value of competition. The point is teaching life lessons must take precedent over winning.”

The former basketball, lacrosse and field hockey coach says she asks parents to list priorities on what they want for their kids; however, being victorious never tops the charts”They all value teaching life lessons, physical fitness, they all value different things,” says Brady,  “but very rarely put a lot of points toward winning.”

But then comes game day.

“My son was a pitcher, ” says Brady,  “and he is on the mound and he walks with bases loaded, no problem we are up 6 -0 but game tied bottom of the inning now what is it?! Matthew!! throw strikes! ”

Brady puts into perspective for parents at her workshops 35 million kids across the country play organized sports but only a smaller percentage of kids earn an athletic scholarship ball park figure about only 2 for every 48 kids.

 With the start of Little League season in York County,  Richard Petersen say he’s try to  look at the big picture when his kids play a sport and he will admit sometimes there is a fine line between coach and parent

“We try to leave it at the field,  whoever happens at the field, stays at the field, and when we leave we are just Dad and son or Mom and son again,” says coach Richard Petersen,”that’s the hardest part just trying to not to rehash too long when we get home.” >

It all goes back to keeping things in perspective: controlling the game rather than letting the game control you.

For more information on the Positive Coaching Alliance: http://positivecoach.org/

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