http://www.argusleader.com/article/20110919/NEWS/109190311/Mental-preparation-key-child-competitors

This article comes from my hometown. It discusses the psychology of sport of children in my area, and in the end, refers to a bit of the societal influence as well. Touching on the differences in the various areas of the country backed up some experiences I have encountered in my transition from the Midwest to Southern California. This article provides many areas to which I can directly relate, and explains the differences between sports in youth. I grew up playing soccer and this article explains how some sports (football, basketball, baseball) begin to teach children on a more technical level at younger ages. The author accredited this to the fact that most parents played these sports or at least know the basics. Sports like soccer and volleyball wait until the participants are much older until the instruction from coaches becomes more technical. The article also refers to pressure on athletes from parents and others, and eludes to the financial strain sports may put on parents, which we discussed in class.

Adams
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