Building Social Skills Through Sports
At Y2S Sports, we pair kids up with a buddy for the season to help kids learn how to work together, communicate, and support each other. Our goal is to help kids make friends, practice teamwork, and build social skills that transfer beyond our program.
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” –Franklin D Roosevelt
Why We Use ‘Buddies’
When kids are toddlers, parents are there to teach them how to share, take turns, and understand why we don’t hit (or bite). But, as kids get older, the opportunity to intervene is almost nonexistent.
During these years, kids are also going through major changes in how they see themselves and how they think others see them. The mindset of “I don’t need to wear a helmet because that will never happen to me” is similar to “I am the only one struggling emotionally or socially,” causing a fear of opening up due to the risk of being judged.
Pairing kids up creates teachable moments that help them learn how to be supportive and how to ask for support, building a solid foundation for friendships beyond sports.
Y2S Buddy System
Pairing Into Buddies
During the first practice, coaches pair players up to be buddies for the season.
Working Together
Weekly practices provide opportunities for buddies to collaborate and practice offering encouragement and support.
Accountability
Depending on age, buddies hold each other accountable on and off the field to help each other stay on track with their goals.
Support and Encouragement
During practice, buddies learn the importance of communication. Whether it’s how to communicate if they need support or how to support a friend in need. As accountability partners (depending on age), using various forms of communication, such as weekly phone calls, daily text messages, or meetups outside of practice are encouraged
Why we use 'buddies'
When kids are toddlers, parents are there to teach them how to share, take turns, and understand why we don’t hit (or bite). But, as kids get older, the opportunity to intervene is almost nonexistent.
During these years, kids are also going through major changes in how they see themselves and how they think others see them. The mindset of “I don’t need to wear a helmet because that will never happen to me” is similar to “I am the only one struggling emotionally or socially,” causing a fear of opening up due to the risk of being judged.
Pairing kids up creates teachable moments that help them learn how to be supportive and how to ask for support, building a solid foundation for friendships beyond sports.
Our Buddy System
Pairing Into Buddies
During the first practice, coaches will pair players up to work together during weekly practices.
Working Together
Weekly practices provide opportunities for buddies to collaborate and practice offering encouragement and support.
Accountability
Buddies are responsible for holding each other accountable outside of practice time (depending on age) to help each other stay on track with their goals
Support and Encouragement
During practice, buddies learn the importance of communication. Whether it’s how to communicate if they need support or how to support a friend in need. As accountability partners (depending on age), using various forms of communication, such as weekly phone calls, daily text messages, or meetups outside of practice are encouraged
Improves Mental Health
Friendships not only provide a sense of belonging, but with a supportive friends can help us change the way we respond to stress, keeps up grounded, and help view situations from a different perspective.
Decreases Social Isolation
Research shows adolescents may not feel understood or comfortable discussing their feelings with parents. Having a friend they can trust reduces the instinct to socially isolate.
Provides a Safe Space
Knowing you can share your feelings without the fear of being judged or labled means you feel safe to open up and ask for support which can literally speaking be a life saver.