Team sports are a great way for kids to learn the lessons of teamwork, problem-solving and simply how much fun it is to exercise and get some fresh air. But the example that some sports moms and dads are setting are far from ones that are appropriate. Did you know that the National Association of Sports Officials documented more than 100 assaults on referees and umpires last year? It may seem extreme, but sideline heckling, argumentative coaches and teaching kids dirty tricks to win undermine the entire point of the game, which is fun. Up to 70 percent of kids quit playing team sports by the time they hit middle school, and many cite the reason as too much parental pressure and coaches' negative attitudes. So as adults, it sounds like we need to grow up and adjust our attitudes when it comes to team sports. Maybe you're trying to live vicariously through your athletic child if you weren't into sports, so you're hard on her when she has a bad practice or botches a key game play. It's important to react positively and with encouragement, regardless of the child's performance so that she doesn't get discouraged.

Perhaps you'd like to encourage your child to be more of a team player by yelling at him when he seems to hog the ball during a game. Offer a pro/con style of constructive criticism, praising all the great things she does with the ball, but giving her the understanding of how great her team can be when they function as a team. It is important to allow kids to experience their own successes and failures - he may not make the team, and it's not your job to call up the coach and go off on him. Instead, encourage the child to obtain pointers from the coach so he can improve and make the team another time. Sports should be fun, and parents should be there to ensure it stays fun.