es every StreetSquashpractice mandatory, as well as all StreetSquash events, which occasionally inlcudes communityservice. The program also makes the kids sign a contract, and requires all parents to spend atleast thirty minutes a night helping their children with their homework. This is just anotherexample of the benefits of sport(Fountain 2000).Loyalty is another key element one picks up while engaging in sports. A pitcher cannotsurvive without the support of his catcher. A running back is nothing if his offensive line is notsteamrolling over the defense, giving him room to run. And a goalie would be worn out if thedefense was not constantly keeping the ball or puck out of the defensive zone. Children see howmuch they need to depend on each other in order to succeed, and this is something that no doubtcarries on into their future, on and off the field(Weiss, Smith, Theeboom 1996).Psychology is also a very instrumental part of sport. Every single team, from the lavishNew York Yankees to the cash strapped Pittsburgh Pirates, have sport psychologists on board tooccasionally coach players through the rigors of a long and frequently dissappointingseason(Page and Tucker 1994). While Im hard pressed to name any Little League teams whohave such a person, the psychology one learns in sports can be a helpful tool when approachingreal life problems. Robert N. Singer, PhD, is the former president of APAs Division 47 (Exercseand Sport) and chair of the department of exercise and sport sciences at the University of Floridain Gainesville, notes the coorelation, citing a job interview as an example of fleshing out thistechnique. Just as an athelete might mentally prepare for a sports event, the patient couldrehearse in advance what hes going to say and how hes going to say it, as well as anticipatequestions that might come up and hows hes going toanswer them. Singer also notes that thiskind of visualization reduces stress, builds confidence and ulti...
