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WHY TEAM?
Reasons to join a team and tips for adults, Article and photos by Carol Goodrow
Reasons to Team | Adults' Roles
CAMARADERIE
When you join a team you gain an instant set of friends. With them you will form a circle of good fellowship and spirit.
SKILL
You get the benefit of a coach who knows how to guide your skill development.
TRAVEL
It's fun to see different towns, even if they're just 10 miles away and perhaps you'll someday get the opportunity to travel across the country.
THRILL OF COMPETITION
It can be exciting to enter a competitive event. If you compete with the spirit that you are doing the best that you can, you can feel like a winner, even if you aren't in first place. Competition will push you, a bit, to do better than if you were running on your own and it's fun to try to keep up with or pass that runner on the other team.
 THE STUFF
You get lots of neat stuff: medals, ribbons, singlets, & team uniforms.
GIVING TO OTHERS
You'll have many opportunities to help others. When you do really well, you can do it for your team. In training you can help your teammates meet their goals by guiding, training with them, and listening to them.
A BUSY SCHEDULE
While your event is in season, you'll always have something to do. It's better for everyone's mental health to have more to do, than nothing to do.
YOU'll WORKOUT MORE OFTEN
You'll be more apt to not skip a workout when you have practices or events on your calendar, and working out more will keep your body fit and trim.
 FIND YOUR BEST EVENT
On a team, you'll get to try different events until you find one that is best suited for you. You'll find out what you like and don't like. You'll also try something you've never tried before.
EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT TRACKS OR COURSES
Teaming will take you to different arenas for competition. You might find a turf that you can run better on.
YOUR ATHLETICS WILL IMPROVE
With good coaching and teamwork you'll get faster and stronger. Your skills will improve.
 ENCOURAGE
No matter the ability of the child, they need to be encouraged.
CHEER
Kids should only hear positive comments while competing from the fans. "You're looking good!", "Keep at it!", "You've got it!", and "Don't give up!" are the kind of things kids should hear. Cheer for kids on your team and the other team(s). These kids are our future and we want to encourage them all.
EMPHASIZE FUN
Sometimes just ask your kids if they had fun. They shouldn't be tied to splits, times, and place every time they train or compete.
HELP THEM SET REASONABLE GOALS
Setting a new PR, finishing a longer event, running with a more steady pace, and throwing with better form, are all great goals that kids should sometimes set in lieu of 'winning'.
GET OUT THERE WITH THEM IN TRAINING
Don't just sit back and direct. Sometimes work out with them and always circulate to observe how all your kids are doing. This is a basic for good rapport.
LET THEM PLAY
Kids want playing time with the team. They don't like to be benched, but they also need the other kind of 'playing time', that is kids' play. Once in a while let them play some fun games instead of structured practice: just old fashioned tag or one of the many varieties of the game can be a nice relief for the kids. Let them make up a game or just give them some down time and see what they come up with. You might be surprised at what you can learn by just observing kids.
PLAN A PARTY
Plan a team party separate from the awards banquet, in which they can just have fun with their friends. An old fashioned field day would be terrific, with some silly events....just for fun.
TEACH THEM
Let them become experts in their event. Teach them about the history of the event, about some of the all time greats competitors, and about the mechanics behind it.
LISTEN
Take time to listen to what they have to say. Every now and then just ask them what they need or what you can do to help them. They may have a need that you could help them with but they may be afraid to ask.
DON'T PUSH
If your child decides a team is not for him/her, don't force participation. Encourage your child to continue to run or stay fit through exercise but don't insist on team competition.
LET THEM TRY OTHER THINGS
A team shouldn't monopolize a child's life. If they want to take up an academic hobby, spend time with a pet, or learn to cook, let them do these things. They also should not specialize in their event or sport to the point that other sports are excluded. Remember they are still children and deserve the chance to try many things. They should also have a say in the decision making about the things they aspire to and participate in as they grow up.
EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
It is important that children are always conscious of the benefits of exercise. They should look at athletics as 'sport for life'. They need to know that winning is not only doing your best but also using athletics to stay healthy. With an active lifestyle they will lower their risk of some cancers, diabetes, heart disease and obesity. It is important that they have the attitude that even without the team they will continue a lifestyle of health and fitness through exercise.
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This article is by
Carol Goodrow Author/Illustrator/Program Creator
Happy Feet, Healthy Food
The Treasure of Health and Happiness
Kids Running: Have Fun, Get Faster & Go Farther
Visit carolgoodrow.com/running.htm
for free printable Muddy Dog Running Log charts and bookmarks.
Visit carolgoodrow.com for more information on Carol's books.
For more information on USATF youthprograms email andy.martin@usatf.org.
Note: I visited this event in Sacramento, California. It was my first and only National Junior Olympics visit. I enjoyed talking to the kids and taking photos.
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