National Standards for Youth Sports: Modifying the Sports Environment for a Healthier Youth.

This booklet lists 11 national standards for youth sports programs developed to promote a positive social experience as the primary goal of such programs. Each standard includes information on the background of its development, its rationale, and implementation information. Many of the standards address parent responsibilities. The standards are: (1) parents should select proper sports environment; (2) programs should be based on the well-being of children; (3) parents should encourage drug, tobacco and alcohol-free environment; (4) youth sports must be seen as only a small part of a child's life; (5) coaches must be trained and certified; (6) parents must make an effort to take an active role; (7) parents must be a positive role model exhibiting sportsmanlike behavior; (8) parents must annually sign a parental code of ethics; (9) parents must insist on safe playing facilities, healthful playing situations, and proper first aid applications; (10) parents, coaches and league administrators must provide equal sports opportunity for all youth regardless of race, creed, sex, economic status or ability; and (11) parents in any program capacity must be drug, tobacco and alcohol-free at youth sports activities. (JB)