How to Pick the Right Youth Sports League for Your Child

Sports can be a wonderful addition to your child's life, providing exercise and social interaction -- as well as lessons in winning and losing. Choosing the right league for your child can be a tough decision, but there are a few steps you can take to make the process easier.

Instructions

    • 1

      Meet with the league director. Attend a youth-league meeting to get to know the director and other officers. If a meeting is not planned in the near future, set up a personal meeting with the league director to discuss how the league operates. Ask how coaches are trained and if the league has faced any serious issues in recent seasons.

    • 2

      Verify background screenings. You cannot be too safe when it comes to your child. Verify that all coaches and assistants working with children in the league have passed criminal background checks. Conduct your own sexual-offender search online through your local law enforcement office or state police website.

    • 3

      Speaking to other parents may be your best resource of information. Talk to those who have children in the league and ask about their experiences. Find out if parents support the league and volunteer in a concession stand, at ticket tables or in other ways.

    • 4

      Attend a few games at the field, court or arena where the league operates. Take note of how players and coaches interact, as well as the actions of parents in the stands. Although there is often at least one parent in every crowd who gets loud or inappropriate with officials, you may be able to tell if this is the general behavior of most parents or just an isolated case. Decide if the environment is the right one for your child and family.

    • 5

      Assess the league's values. Ask organizers about standards of conduct, then observe whether coaches seem to support that mission. Some leagues, such as Upward Sports, focus on character-building and Christian values.

    • 6

      Seek your child's input. Have a serious talk with your child about the leagues they may want to join. If there is a specific sport your child enjoys most, make a league offering that sport a priority. Classmates or friends playing in a certain league may also influence your child's decision. Take your child's age and attention span into consideration. If a league requires long practices on several afternoons, evaluate whether that will work for your family.