that stress individual accomplishment, such as karate, wrestling, track and field,and tennis. A sport like baseball may move too slow, while soccer and basketball rely too muchon the explicit demands of the coach. Hoepfully, with help of Ritalin, those who suffer fromADHD can take part in sports, and achieve some balance with their peers(Alexander 1990).Self-concept also plays a key role in sports. In a study conducted by Rosalie Miller for theFebruary 1989 addition of Perceptual and Motor Skills, a sample of 120 children (69 boys, 51girls), ranging from age nine to age fourteen, was administered the Harter Self-perception Profilebefore and after a five week program of swimming instruction. The Harter Self-perceptionProfile predicts that children who improve most in swimming will also have the largest gains inathletic self-concept. Sure enough, this was true. Those improved in swimming also gained themost in self-concept as well as self-steem, according to those who were interviewed.Children who play sports generally have a wholesome and rewarding experience. I know Idid. I played Little League baseball for nine years. I made a ton of friends, and while I can neverbe talented enough to ever play on a Major League level, I still got to play the game that I love. Astrong bond between my father and I also grew out of this. We spent hours in the backyardplaying catch, fielding ground balls, and just talking about the game. I also had the luxury ofhaving coaches who were competitive as well as kind. They wanted to win, but everybody,regardless of skill, got to play and just have fun. As documented in this paper, however, noteveryone has an experience like this one. Some parents want their kids to be professionals somuch that they forget the object of it all is to just have fun. Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant werelucky. Their grew up under the umbrella of kind, loving parents who knew when to push andwhen to let up. As a result, both have bee...
