Are there some things that every mother should know to be an effective parent of a child playing sports? What do the experts say? What do you think is important? MomsTeam will include articles and stories on such topics as

• The right reasons to get your child involved in youth sports

• Boys and girls in sports: does gender matter?

A Conditioning Program Can Prevent Many Sports Injuries
Topics to Cover in Taking of PPE Medical History
Back To School Safety Prevention Tips
Playing Chunkis
Thanksgiving Football Memories
Attending Your Child's Practices: It Can Be A Rewarding Experience
Are You An Over Involved Parent
Resist The Urge To Critique Your Child's Athletic Performance
The Role Of A Parent In Youth Sports: Wearing Many Hats
Guidelines For Parents Of Children In Sports
When Your Daughter Wants To Play On The Boys Team
Youth Sports: Taking A Toll On Family Life
American Academy Of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry On Children And Sports
Ten Things To Remember When Your Child Loses Or Doesn't Play Her Best
Cheers And Tears: Five Ways For Sport Parents To Set A Good Example
Escaping The Parent Trap
Successful Development Of The Young Athlete: Guidelines For Parents

When to start, what sport to play, and what program to join are important decisions with potentially long lasting effects. MomsTeam will offer practical advice and suggestions from experts and veteran moms on these topics and others, such as:

• Trying a new sport

• The signs of a good youth sports program

Successful Development Of The Young Athlete: Guidelines For Parents
Youth Sports Motivation Questionnaire (To Be Completed By The Youth Athlete)
Youth Sports Motivation Questionnaire (To Be Completed By Parents)
When Is Your Child Old Enough For You To Get Involved In Youth Sports
Does Your Child's Program Use The "Games Based Approch" To Teaching Sports?
Youth Sports: Taking A Toll On Family Life
Teaching Your Child To Snowboard
In-Line Skating: A Primer For Parents
Baseball
Risk And Types Of Injuries In Basketball

Will a $125 baseball glove make your 7-year old a better baseball player? What kind of shinguards offer the most protection? Do you need to buy all new equipment or is used equipment okay? MomsTeam will provide answers from experts.

How To Buy Football Cleats
Youth Soccer Buying Guide
Shopping For Athletic Shoes For Your Child
How To Tell If Your Child's Shoes Are Worn Out
Factors To Consider When Replacing Your Child's Athletic Shoes
Ways To Save Money On Sports Equipment
Advice When Buying Bicycles
Tips On Buying Bike Helmets
What To Look For In An In-Line Skate
Buying Equipment For Aggressive Skating
Teaching Your Child To Snowboard

Is there anything you can do to help your daughter make the travel soccer team? What can and should you say to her if she doesn't make it? MomsTeam will include advice from experts and include your ideas, stories and tips on such topics as:

• Registration: traps for the unwary

• Try-outs: helping your kid shine

• Playing "up" or "down": when is it appropriate?

• The Unkindest Cut Of All: What To Do When Your Child Is Cut

The Effects Of "Cutting" Athletes From Middle School Athletic Programs
Being Cut From A Youth Sports Team

There is no person more responsible for the success of your child's season than her coach. Opening lines of communication between parents and coach before the season starts is critical. In this section MomsTeam will have articles and stories on such topics as:

• The importance of the pre-season parents meeting

• What to look for in your child's coach

• What to ask your child's coach before the season starts

8 Tips for a Successful Youth Sports Preseason Meeting
Twenty Questions to Ask at a Preseason Meeting
Preventing Abuse And Harassment: Setting Behavioral Boundaries ...
TeamBuilders: Techniques For Building Better Relationships In Youth Sports
Successful Development Of The Young Athlete: Guidelines For Parents
Walking The Talk: The Importance Of Mission Statements
Talking To The Coach

Much like sniffing a wine before you taste it, you can often predict what kind of season your child will have by watching a practice. We'll tell you what the experts say to look for, and cover such topics as:

• Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

• Missed Practices: Truth and Consequences

Signs Of A Well-Run Youth Sports Practice
Does Your Child's Program Use The "Games Based Approach" To Teaching Sports?

You are all members of MomsTeam. Because no one person or even small group knows everything there is to know about youth sports, and because MomsTeam.com wants everyone's input, "growing" the preseason department will be a grassroots effort. Do you have some advice or a point of view to share with other moms about any of the topics in the Preseason Department? A personal story? A question to ask one of MomsTeam.com's professionals, experts or veteran moms or a topic you think should be addressed? Send it to editor@MomsTeam.com.