Summer is Officially Here!

June 21, 2011 marks the first day of summer. This means that summer vacation is right around the corner. Help your kids stay healthy and active through sports this summer.  Choose the best sport for your child. Find the best age to start, suitability, rules of the game and tips to help your child pick a sport to play at school or as part of a sporting club.

 

 

Parents, childhood obesity is an epidemic in our country. Let’s end this epidemic and get our kids moving and eating healthy this summer.

Listed below are a few popular summer sports. Click on each sport for additional information.

L.A. Kids

Enrolling your children in summer sports does not have to be expensive. The L.A. KIDS Program is implemented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, made possible by a Community Development Block Grant and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (H.U.D.).

Mission Statement:

The mission of L.A. KIDS is to promote the development of youth in low-income areas and offer equal access to quality recreation programs by providing FREE challenging physical, educational and social activities to occupy the youth’s time constructively and prevent juvenile delinquency.  Our goal is to provide valuable programs and nutrition in a well-supervised, safe, structured and nurturing environment.

Since 1996, L.A. KIDS has been providing FREE recreational opportunities for our City’s youth ages 5-18 at their local neighborhood recreation center.  This program provides young people a level playing field with equal access to quality recreational and educational programming.  Currently, there are over 100 (http://www.laparks.org/lakids/lakidsprog.htm) recreation centers that are a designated L.A. KIDS site throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

For more information about your local parks and recreation please visit www.laparks.org


Baseball
Age to start:
Children can begin to participate in Tee-Ball from the age of 5 years. Tee-Ball is a modified version of the game aimed at introducing children to basic skills and principles of baseball.
Rules of the game:
The basic rules of baseball are;

  • The game is played between two teams consisting of nine players on each time.
  • The object of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team.
  • A batter tries to hit the ball and then run around the bases. Once the batter runs around the bases and makes it back to home plate they have scored a run.
  • A fielding team tries to get the batter out before they reach home plate. A fielding team dismisses the batting team once they have got three of their batters out. It is then their turn to bat.
  • The field consists of three bases and a home plate laid out in a diamond formation.

Suitability:
Baseball is an excellent activity for both boys and girls. Children can equally participate in Tee Ball and junior baseball. They can play together but can also compete separately if desired.

The Play Ball program is a great way for children to be exposed to baseball at an introductory level in a fun and safe environment. Baseball is a non contact sport so the risk of serious injury is low.
Sporting tips:
In order to successfully participate in baseball you require;

  • A sound level of fitness
  • Excellent hand/eye coordination
  • Good ball skills, in particular throwing and catching
  • The ability to work well in a team environment

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Softball

Age to start:
Children can begin playing softball from the age of 5. Children can participate in various modified versions of softball. Different associations may call their modified versions of softball different names.
Rules of the game:

The basic rules of softball are;

  • A game is played between two teams consisting of 9 players on each team.
  • The object of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team.
  • The game is played on a diamond shape field consisting of a home plate and three bases.
  • A batter tries to hit the ball and then run around the bases. Once the batter runs around the bases and makes it back to home plate they have scored a run.
  • A fielding team tries to get the batter out before they reach home plate. A fielding team dismisses the batting team once they have got three of their batters out. It is then their turn to bat.

Suitability:
Softball is a game suitable for both boys and girls. Children can begin to participate in softball at an introductory level from the age of 5.
Softball is a fun way for children to develop basic motor skills in a team environment. It is a non-contact sport so the risk of injury is low. Softball is a great way for children to experience working in a team environment.
Sign up dates:
Softball is a game that is traditionally a summer sport. Typically children can sign up to play softball in late August and early September. Contact your local softball club for specific information regarding their registration process. Even if the season has commenced it is recommended that you contact your club to enquire as to whether there are any places available for your child.
Sporting tips:
In order to successfully participate in softball you require:

  • A sound level of fitness
  • Excellent hand/eye coordination
  • Good ball skills, in particular throwing and catching

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Swimming

Age to start:
Swimming is an activity for all ages. AUSTSWIM (The Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety) advocate that babies can start getting used to water in a formal water familiarisation program from as young as 6 months of age. Babies are not actually taught to swim - instead lessons focus on movement through water, floating, and eventually breath control.

Introducing your child to the water:
Before getting them wet in a swimming pool, though, it is advisable to make them comfortable with water through water play at home.

Babies must be permitted to learn at their own rate. Programs that include movement exploration and development, games and parent/carer involvement in various land and water activities are appropriate. Development of specific swimming skills should never take priority over your baby's enjoyment of the water, but should be seen in relation to their overall development.
You can ensure that your baby's swimming lessons are a success by checking that:

  • Lessons are short and frequent - in-water time should be kept to half an hour
  • There should be a ratio of one parent/carer to each child and the adult should be in the water with the child at all times
  • Classes should have no more than 8 children
  • The water temperature should be at least 30 degrees Celsius and ideally the air temperature warmer as babies can quickly become cold

IMPORTANT!
Constant supervision by a competent adult is essential for the safety of all young children when they are in the water. Increased confidence and ability in the water doesn't mean that children need less supervision.
If you choose to use floatation aids, remember that they are no substitute for adult supervision. The goal of swimming lessons is for children to become water safe and learn to swim on their own and dependency on floatation aids can hinder this process.
Successfully starting swimming lessons:

  • Select a suitable swim school. Water familiarisation, swimming and water safety lessons are conducted at commercial aquatic facilities including private swim schools and home based centers.
  • Speak to your friends and get their recommendations. Once you have a few possibilities, call each school and ask questions about their method and approach for your child's age. Some swimming schools teach the strokes carefully from an early age - while others get the basics right and then correct strokes at a later stage. Consider what you think is best for your child and then trial one.
  • Don't let your kids eat before lessons. Children are not recommended to have any food for at least 1 to 2 hours before her/his swimming lesson.
  • Encourage fun and learning. During the lesson be careful to encourage the fun and learning without the pressure of learning quickly. Each child learns at a different pace and your patience and encouragement is important. If you have any concerns regarding the instructor or methods used to teach your child, discuss further with the Aquatic Coordinator of the teacher.
  • Shower after the lesson. Shower your child after each swimming lesson to rinse the harsh chlorine from their tender skin. You might want to take a snack with you - swimming tends to grow their appetite.

Suitability:
Swimming is a great form of exercise for boys and girls of all ages. A child of any body type can participate and learn to swim. Swimming lessons help a child to build strong bones and muscles as well as develop an excellent level of overall physical fitness.

As it is a water sport, consideration needs to be given to any medical conditions that may be affected as a result of spending considerable time in the water.
Sporting tips:

To be successful at swimming you require;

  • Physical fitness
  • Excellent lung capacity
  • A high level of co-ordination, balance and flexibility

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Water Polo

Age to start:
Most water polo clubs have junior teams that start at the under eight age level. Children can begin to play water polo at the under eight level depending on their swimming ability.
Rules of the game:
The basic rules of water polo are:

  • Each team consists of seven players with one player being the designated goal-keeper. The goal keeper wears a designated cap for identification.
  • The duration of a water polo game is four periods of eight minutes. Time shall stop at each whistle.
  • Players tread water and swim as they move around the pool.
  • A goal is scored when the ball passes entirely over the goal line between the goal posts and underneath the crossbar.
  • The object of the game is to score more goals than the opposing team.

Suitability:
Water polo is an excellent activity for boys and girls. It is a great way for children to incorporate swimming and a ball sport into a team environment. Water polo is suitable for children who are strong swimmers and have the ability to tread water for extended periods.
Clubs offer junior teams for both boys and girls. Water polo is a sport played entirely in the water so children must be able to spend considerable amounts of time in the water. Any medical conditions that may be affected by this must be considered. Water polo can involve physical contact and this also needs to be considered when deciding whether to participate.
Sporting tips:
To successfully participate in water polo you require:

  • Strong swimming ability
  • Excellent physical fitness
  • The ability to spend long periods in water

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Tennis

Age to start:
Children can begin tennis lessons as early as 4 years old.
Rules of the game:
The basic rules of tennis are:

  • A singles match consists of one player against another on a rectangular court separated by a net in the middle
  • Each player uses a racquet to hit a ball over the net attempting to win a point against their opponent
  • Tennis matches are either played over a best of 3 or a best of 5 set match. A set is won when a player reaches 6 games with a lead of two games over their opponent. If both players reach 6 games each a tie-break is played.
  • A game is scored when a player wins four points except when both players win 3 points then the score is "deuce." After deuce the score goes to advantage for the next point, then if that same player wins the point they win the game.

Suitability:
Tennis is suitable for boys and girls of all ages. Children of all different sizes are able to participate in tennis. Children as young as four can begin to receive tennis lessons at their local club.

Tennis is a non-contact sport where children can exercise in a fun and safe environment.
Sporting tips:

To participate in tennis you are required to:

  • Be physically fit
  • Possess good hand/eye co-ordination
  • Possess great agility
  • Have great decision-making ability

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Soccer

Age to start
Children as young as 5 years old participate in soccer.
Rules of the game
Some basic rules of soccer are:

  • 11 players are on the pitch at one time with one of these players being the compulsory goalkeeper
  • Goalkeepers are the only players allowed to play the ball with their hands or arms but are only allowed to do so when they are in the penalty area in front of their own goal.
  • Each goal is worth one and is awarded when a player kicks or headers the ball into the oppositions goal that they are guarding.
  • The field of play is rectangular and must between 90 and 120 meters in length. Its width must be between 45 and 90 meters.

Suitability
Soccer is suitable for both boys and girls. Local associations offer basic introductory programs for children. Children learn the fundamental skills and rules of the game.
Soccer caters for all types of children. It is a low contact sport and is therefore an excellent and safe sport for children to participate in.
Sporting tips:
To successfully play soccer you require;

  • Aerobic fitness
  • Excellent ball skills
  • Good vision
  • The ability to work well in a team

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