Youth Sports Red Flags Checklist

Every adult with access to children should be screened. This is non-negotiable for a safe program.

Without documented expectations, coaching quality varies wildly from team to team.

When winning overshadows development, kids burn out and the least athletic get sidelined.

Parents deserve to know the schedule, philosophy, and how to raise concerns.

A documented return-to-play process protects athletes and limits liability.

Untrained coaches default to what they experienced as kids, which often means outdated methods.

Kids need to play to develop. A clear policy prevents bench-warming and favoritism.

Constant turnover signals organizational problems and disrupts player development.

U8 should look nothing like U14. Programs need a curriculum that matches developmental stages.

Transparency builds trust. Programs that ban parents from watching raise serious questions.