How we can change youth sports culture | Heather Bergeson | TEDxEdina

Our current youth sports culture is putting the emotional and physical health of our children in danger. How did we get here? Why does the culture persist? What can we do to transform youth sports into the positive, inspiring, character-building experience it can be? Heather Bergeson is a Sports Medicine Physician and Pediatrician at TRIA Orthopedic Center, Assistant Adjunct Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Minnesota, and Team Physician for the Gopher Women’s Hockey Team. As a Positive Coaching Alliance - Minnesota Chapter Board Member and an Edina Hockey mom to two kids who also enjoy playing multiple sports, she is passionate about the benefits of youth sports, but also concerned and alarmed by the current trends and culture of youth sports. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@jasonviolette3500]

I took over a gymnastics program where the top level had been training 18 hours a week , then 16 for the next, 12, and 9. They hadn't won a gymnastics meet ever. I cut our top level to 12 hours, next level 9, 6 and 5. In the first year we won 3 out of 4 levels and 2nd , and then last year we finished first in 2 levels, runner-up and 3rd. We encourage all of our kids to live life and play other sports. We tell them to go trick or treating and miss for vacations. This is a sport not life. All my kids train less than their age

[@pames7415]

Excellent talk on a very important topic. As a father, a sports Physical Therapist, and coach of youth sports, I found Dr. Bergeson's talk to be quite useful in our current sports culture.

[@commonsenseedina4337]

In his autobiography the famous NHL hockey player Bobby Orr wrote that most coaches shouldn't be coaching and unfortunately from personal experience I would agree. The Positive Coaches Alliance works for coaches who already get it but the outliers think they have a better way.

[@amybeacom1834]

First, fantastic talk by Dr. Bergeson all around. I actually believe that playing the sport of the season and unstructured play time compliment each other well. At the younger ages especially, a single sport will meet 2, possibly 3 times a week. That in turn leads to more uncommitted time, and the ability to say yes to spontaneous invitations to play. I find these “pearls” of free time lead to the most fun for my eldest child. He and his peers gravitate to the same activities they share in the structured environment but they make their own rules. I notice that they exhibit a different sense confidence and community when they do so.

[@russellkurhajetz550]

Is advocating for playing the sport of the season while asking for more unstructured play time contradictory?