Coaches are teacher and can have a profound effect on the kids they coach. You have a special opportunity to mold their lives. Pledge to be alcohol, tobacco and drug free in the presence of your players. The links below provide nine weeks of topics to discuss with your players. Click on the related web site. These are excellent sites for you and your players to check out.

Top 5 Resources:
How to talk to kids about drugs. (Page 2 - a must for every coach)
Coaches "do's and don'ts" against drugs
The good Sportsman quiz
What does it cost to smoke cigarettes? How much over a lifetime?
Runner is noticed - stay in school. Great 30 second video.

Week 1: Positive Choices and Respect For All.
Teaching respect
How to keep kids from talking back
Teaching children not to talk back

Week 2: Good Sportsmanship- Play Fair and Be Honest.
The good Sportsman quiz
Teaching the Basics of Sportsmanship
Teaching kids good sportsmanship

Week 3: Don't Use Drugs - Be a Better Athlete
What's up with cocaine and crack?
Inhalants Facts
Test Your Brain - See exactly what pot does to your brain.
Video: Real Stories
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Inhalants
Story of 14 year old dying from huffing "Dust Off" is no urban legend.

Week 4: Alcohol & Athletes Don't Mix!
Young Teens Place for Info on Alcohol (Quiz)
Is your teen drinking?
Sobering facts about alcohol poisoning
Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol
Scared Sober!! - CAUTION not for young children! This is hard hitting New Zealand public service ad on YouTube

Week 5: Smart Athletes Don't Smoke!
What Steroids Can Do To You?
How Your Brain Responds to Steroids
Steroids: Just the Facts
TIPS 4 Youth-Facts About Smoking For Coaches (529 KB) PDF file
What should you know about tobacco.
What harmful chemicals are in cigarettes?
What does it cost to smoke cigarettes? How much over a lifetime?
Tips for coaches anti-smoking fun soccer activities
Smokeless Tobacco - even without smoke there is danger.
Coach Dan's Chalk Talk About Tobacco
Cause of Deaths - Why You Don't Want to Smoke.
Smokeless tobacco...Not a good idea
Dipping, Snuff and chewing tobacco...can kill!
Nicotine Addiction Test

Week 6: Gangs and Violence Lead Nowhere.
Why do kids join gangs?
Different Kids, Different Reasons
Characteristics Of Youth Who Join Gangs
Youth gang prevention and intervention

Week 7: Stay In School and Do Your Homework.
Runner is noticed - stay in school. Great 30 second video.
Power of one - are you the one? Great 30 second video.
Top 5 reasons to stay in school.
Why do kids drop out of school?
Tips on doing homework and great study habits
Additional information on how to get your kids to do their homework

Week 8: Summary
More information on making positive choices
Teaching kids to tell the truth
4 point plan to telling the truth

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