Parent Educational Resources
The Rhode Island Magic believe that developing great players starts with educating everyone involved in the youth sports experience—including coaches, parents, and guardians.
This section of our website provides articles, videos, and educational resources that address many challenges and opportunities families encounter throughout their child's athletic journey. These resources cover topics such as sportsmanship, player development, communication, recruiting, playing time, and the important role parents play in helping young athletes succeed both on and off the court.
We encourage all parents to spend a few minutes exploring these resources throughout the season. If you have suggestions for additional articles or videos that would benefit our families, please don't hesitate to contact one of our directors.​
The Role of Parents/Guardians
Ryan Zimmerman: The Goal of Youth Sports
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World Series Champion Ryan Zimmerman shares his perspective on what youth should truly be about and why keeping the experience centered on children is so important.
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Why It's Okay for Kids to Fail
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Learning to overcome adversity is one of the greatest benefits of youth sports. This article discusses how setbacks help children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, confidence, and independence.
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Frank Martin on Parenting Young Athletes
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Successful Division I basketball coach Frank Martin shares his philosophy on watching his own children compete and offers valuable advice for sports parents.
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Why Your Presence Matters
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This article discusses why simply showing up to support your child may be one of the most important things you can do as a parent.
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Maintaining Perspective
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Written by an experienced AAU director and skills trainer, this article highlights common mistakes youth sports parents make and serves as an excellent reminder to keep the focus where it belongs - on helping children grow and enjoy the game.
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Although the title is intentionally attention-grabbing, the lessons are extremely valuable for every parent involved in youth sports.
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USA Basketball Gold License Parent Recommendations
Many Rhode Island Magic coaches have earned the USA Basketball Gold License, which emphasizes best practices for player development and parent involvement.
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Some of the key recommendations include:
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Cheer for your child and their teammates.
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Provide a listening ear after games and practices.
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Avoid breaking down the game during the ride home.
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Respect your team's culture and standards.
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Encourage your child to communicate directly with their coach whenever appropriate.
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First-Time Sports Parents
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If this is your family's first experience with organized youth sports, this article provides excellent advice on maintaining perspective and focusing on long-term development instead of wins and losses.
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Read Here​
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Supporting a Player Who Isn't Getting Much Playing Time
Every athlete experiences challenges during their athletic career. This article provides strategies for helping your child stay motivated, continue improving, and develop resilience when playing time is limited.
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Helping Your Child Improve
Developing a Growth Mindset
This link discusses how important a growth mindset is compared to a fixed mindset and how parents can help instill a growth mindset in their child.
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Purdue Head Coach Matt Painter shares a powerful story about a former walk-on who earned a starting position by embracing his role and consistently doing the little things that helped his team succeed.
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College Recruiting
Dan Hurley on Recruiting
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​Back-to-back National Champion and UConn Head Coach Dan Hurley explains why parents often play one of the biggest roles in the recruiting process. He discusses how family behavior, communication, and support can significantly impact a student-athlete's opportunities at the next level.
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Read Here​​
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Parents Matter in Recruiting
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Northwestern Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald discusses why college coaches evaluate parents just as closely as they evaluate student-athletes throughout the recruiting process. Character, communication, and family dynamics all play an important role in college recruiting.
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The Rhode Island Magic believes parents are on of the greatest influences in a young athlete's development. By working together and continuing to learn, we can provide every player with a positive experience that helps them become better athletes, better teammates, and better people. ​
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