4 minute read
Empowering Student-Athletes to Make Healthy Choices: How Coaches and Parents Can Support Substance-Free Living
BY: Marnie Maraldo
Executive Director of Influence the Choice
As parents, we want our children to grow into strong, responsible individuals who make healthy choices. The teen years are a critical period, particularly for studentathletes. They face unique pressures both on and off the field. For teens, especially those in sports, the choices they make about alcohol, drugs, and their health can have a lasting impact on their lives. This includes athletic performance, personal growth, and future opportunities. That’s why we’re excited to share a new program, Protect Your Game. This program equips coaches to guide student-athletes in making substance-free choices through regular, impactful conversations.
This program, developed by Influence the Choice for coaches in the Issaquah School District, focuses on educating athletes about the risks of substance use and the benefits of staying substance-free. More than that, it empowers coaches to reinforce this message in a straightforward and positive way. Through short, focused talks at the end of each practice, coaches can provide practical prevention tips that resonate with athletes. These brief discussions cover critical topics like the risks of underage drinking and the impact of drugs on athletic performance. One additional topic is the Good Samaritan Law—which protects teens when they seek help in a substance-related emergency.
How Coaches Become Key Mentors for Teen Health
Athletes often view their coaches as role models. They trust their guidance on and off the field. Coaches have the opportunity to influence their athletes’ choices in positive ways. This program harnesses that influence. Giving coaches accessible prevention messages helps them reinforce to athletes that making healthy choices doesn’t just improve performance. It helps them reach their goals, protect their health, and safeguard their futures.
The program’s practical structure allows coaches to bring up serious issues in a supportive and approachable way. Rather than lecturing, coaches provide practical tips. These tips include how to stay sober at social events, how to recognize the signs of substance misuse in friends, and how to make choices that align with their goals. Athletes hear these messages regularly, building a foundation for good decision-making without feeling overwhelmed or judged.
Encouraging Accountability and Smart Choices in Social Settings
We know that social pressures play a major role in teens’ choices about drugs and alcohol. This pressure is strong around events like homecoming or team celebrations. This program addresses those pressures head-on. Student-athletes are encouraged to plan ahead, choose supportive friends, and stay accountable to themselves and their teammates. They are equipped with strategies for avoiding substances and making smart choices in social settings.
Parents Play a Vital Role, Too
While coaches are trusted voices, parental support is equally essential. Talking to teens about the messages they’re hearing from coaches reinforces the importance of these lessons at home. Conversations about substance use and health don’t have to be uncomfortable. In fact, they can be empowering. Parents can ask their teens what they learned from these discussions with their coach. They can encourage them to share any questions or concerns.
Building Strong, Healthy Futures with Influence the Choice
Ultimately, this program is about setting student-athletes up for success in all areas of life. With the guidance of coaches and the support of parents, athletes learn to prioritize their health, respect their bodies, and make choices that align with their goals. By creating a culture of accountability and care, this program helps equip coaches with resources that inspire young athletes to navigate challenges and make healthy decisions.
We invite all parents to join us in supporting this mission, reinforcing these messages at home, and empowering our student-athletes to make choices that keep them healthy, happy, and focused on their goals. Together, we can help our teens thrive both on and off the field.
