As we embark upon this holiday shopping season many of us will question why we purchase video game consoles and games for our kids. A valid question if you’re concerned about their reduced or lack of outdoor activities. However, if you make the right video game choices with the proper intervention of how they are used, you may find that today’s technology, along with video games may very well enhance the outdoor sports training experience.

Let me state my case. Over 75% of all kids under the age of 12 quit organized sports. At the same time many youth sports leagues and organizations are doing little to improve the overall experience for kids. A recent study showed that over 90% of all youth coaches have no type coaches training, yet they instruct close to 25 million kids each year. The results are obvious; a majority of kids don’t like the experience they’re receiving when they play organized sports.

Youth sports skills have been taught primarily the same way for the past half-century. However, the way kids receive information and learn has changed drastically. In a rapid pace culture, where information and technology are cornerstones to a child’s lifestyle, youth sports need a contemporary makeover.

Kids are visual learners when it comes to physical activity. If the information and skills being introduced and taught to a child do not engage them, there is limited chance they will comprehend and retain it for any extended period of time. This can place youth coaches at a distinct disadvantage if they don’t tap into today’s technology sources that so many kids are familiar with and use every day. Instruction and skills that are presented in a visual fashion are more likely to appeal and capture their attention.

The other disadvantage we as parents and youth coaches face is our inability to adequately demonstrate skills and techniques. Technology and equipment provided by iphone, ipods, and other smart phones, give you the ability to download video right off the internet. Between iTunes and YouTube there are many ways to download footage of games that can be taken directly onto the practice field and used as a teaching tool. Video sports games can also accomplish this while making a youth coaches job much easier and effective.

I strongly suggest bringing a handheld video gaming device, such as a iPhone, iPad, or a Sony PSP, etc., out to your backyard or next practice. Each hand held device plays both EA Sports Video Games with realistic graphics. Most sports games feature replicas of professional athletes performing skills, and replicating fundamental athletic moves, similar to that of an actual video recording. Whether it’s watching the execution of a sideline tackle or the technique and footwork of a point guard, a video game image is worth much more than a verbal or less than accurate demonstration.

If you think this is type of training is unrealistic, think again. Division One College and several NFL teams have converted portions of their playbook formats over to video games in order to better engage their players into learning all plays while better understanding the tendencies of their opponents.

Unlike video recordings, hand held video game units allow the user to manipulate the athlete on the screen, allowing the operator (the coach) to control all movements. Another teaching technique is to allow the athletes to manipulate the movement of the video game action, therefore further engaging them in the visual interactive learning process.

As an example, during practice if you find kids are becoming bored working on ball catching skill techniques, bring the handheld video game device and show some of the top NFL receivers making spectacular catches. Have the athletes focus on the footwork, the body control and position used to make these catches followed by challenging them to replicate the same moves and techniques on the field. This type of experiential learning that is both contemporary and so closely interactive will not only enhance your practices but will also develop much more engaged athletes in the learning process of the fundamentals.

By bringing the handheld video sports game to practice you are also directly and subconsciously training each kid to focus on technique execution the next time they play the video game at home.

Remember today’s kids are growing up in a fast paced environment where they need to be both entertained and engaged at all times. Using video game training, and handheld video equipment at practice will not only improve the attention of each athlete at practice; it will also increase your legitimacy as a coach that understands their world.

- Scott Lancaster