Schools, Coaches and Peers Mean Deadly Pressure
Teens Struggle to Meet Demands of High School Athletics
Zach was a seemingly healthy 16-year-old when he collapsed and died on the practice field of the Plano East High School football training facility. The family is left asking questions while the school scrambles for answers.
Parents need to be aware of pressures coming not only from schools and coaches but peers as well. Any of these can be the forces leading a teen athlete to push his or her body beyond healthy limits.
Know the School's Reputation and Curriculum
In understanding the pressures their teen faces in his athletic performance, parents need to first be aware of the school's attitude and approach to its athletic programs. While high school football may be the main push in Texas, other areas have other programs driving teens just as hard.
When enrolling your son or daughter in an athletic program parents need to be aware of several factors. These include:
- The schools reputation for aggressive competition.
- Any history of death or injury in athletic programs.
- The schools ability to respond to emergencies, including have an automated defibrillation device.
- A written curriculum for the athletic program.
In addition, speak with the head of the athletic department and get answers to any specific concerns or questions. If the school dismisses your concerns, take it as a warning sign of a program not focused on participants safety.
Get Answers from Coaches about Their Programs
Coaches and assistant coaches hold a strong sway over adolescents drives to perform. Because athletics tends to involve spending more time with the instructor because of extracurricular time, those instructors have more of a personal relationship with the athlete.
Good coaches and instructors will use this personal connection to bring out individual talents and skills in their players. This can be accomplished through a patient, planned approach, or it can be delivered through emotional manipulation of the player.
Before you sign up your teen for an athletic program, ask for an appointment with a coach overseeing the program in which your teen will be participating. Ask about the coach's personal style and approach. Ask about the win record and how important winning is to him personally. Also, ask about the coach's educational program.
If coaches balk at an appointment or at answering your questions, carefully consider if you can trust their motivation. Be assertive in obtaining the face time to address your concerns and don't worry about appearing to be a worried parent. These are the people who will influence and train your teen, they should be available to you.
Friends and Peers Offer the Strongest Influence
One of the most overlooked pressure sources is peer pressure. Your teenager's friends have the strongest influence over him or her, ranking above the school's expectations or even the coach's approach. Your teen will be experiencing a strong push to outdo his or her friends. Be aware of these issues:
- Peers can be bullies in driving performance of your teen. Watch for a change in friends or avoidance of certain peers.
- Be aware of who is in your teen's peer group. Know names and know the parents of his or her friends.
- Ask about practices and look for signs of aggressive behavior or unchecked emotions. These can be signs of problems with peers.
Understanding the people involved in your teen's athletic performance is important. The school, the coaches and the friends of your teen will be responsible for how hard he or she pushes to perform. If one group of influence seems to be out of balance, take immediate action and be assertive in getting answers to your concerns. As parents, you are your teen's best advocate to a safe and enjoyable athletic experience.
Dangers of Athletics
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