--- title: Worthington Christian School Parent Blog | Sports description: Sports | Navigating your child's education is more than just the three R's. Here you'll find trends, resources, and perspectives on issues facing today's students who are preparing for kindergarten, college, and the grades in between. --- - [VISIT WORTHINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WEBSITE](https://www.worthingtonchristian.com/) - [![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Backgrounds.png) ![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Dark%20Backgrounds.png) ![WC Logo](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Light%20Backgrounds.png)](https://www.worthingtonchristian.com/) [![DOWNLOAD VIEWBOOK](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5627441/c9015685-d41c-4099-a319-5e3b3dacf482.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5627441/c9015685-d41c-4099-a319-5e3b3dacf482) - [Ages 3-K Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k) - [Grades 1-5 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades1-5) - [Grades 6-8 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8) - [Grades 9-12 Blog](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12) ## Navigating Your Child's Education: Grades 9-12 ###### 4 min read ## [Thoughts on Coaching](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/thoughts-on-coaching) By [Jeff Hartings](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/jeff-hartings) on Apr 1, 2021 8:00 PM [![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/Coaching%20Blog%20Post.jpg)](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/thoughts-on-coaching) *\[Editor's Note: This blog post is an adapted excerpt from the [Navigating Your Child's Education Podcast](https://anchor.fm/worthington-christian)episode "What makes a good coach?" featuring a candid conversation with Coach Hartings. Make sure to check it out [here](https://anchor.fm/worthington-christian/episodes/What-makes-a-good-coach-eubg0a).\]* With [over half of high school students across the U.S. competing in interscholastic sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/28/high-school-sports-participation-drops-first-time-years/), it’s safe to say that coaches have a strong influence on our young people. In my own journey as an athlete, parent, and coach, I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of coaching. Coaches can have a tremendous impact on their players—both positive and negative. It’s important for parents to carefully consider who is influencing their children when it comes to athletics and coaching. Topics: [Whole Child Education](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/whole-child-education) [Parenting](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/parenting) [Dads](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/dads) [Sports](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/sports) [Coaching](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/coaching) [Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/thoughts-on-coaching) ###### 3 min read ## [Youth Sports: To Specialize or Not to Specialize](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/youth-sports-to-specialize-or-not-to-specialize) By [Jeff Hartings](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/jeff-hartings) on Oct 31, 2019 7:00 PM [![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/Youth%20Sports_-2.png)](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/youth-sports-to-specialize-or-not-to-specialize) Over the last two decades, the trend of sport specialization has hit an all-time high in youth athletics. More and more young athletes are *specializing:* devoting their energy, time, and ability to one singular sport. Many club sports play eleven months out of the year. School sports teams play their season and often spend the remainder of the year in extended workouts, team training camps, and skill-building sessions. In addition to team commitments, it’s not uncommon for individuals to hire private trainers to help them further develop their abilities. Topics: [High School](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/high-school) [Sports](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/sports) [Specialization](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/specialization) [Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/youth-sports-to-specialize-or-not-to-specialize) ###### 5 min read ## [Through My Lens: An Example of Christian Sportsmanship](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/through-my-lens-an-example-of-christian-sportsmanship) By [Brian Bayless](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/author/brian-bayless) on Aug 22, 2019 7:00 PM [![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/close%20up%20of%20a%20soccer%20tactics%20drawing%20on%20chalkboard.jpeg)](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/through-my-lens-an-example-of-christian-sportsmanship) I have had the privilege of pacing the sidelines at hundreds of amateur sporting events, beginning in my high school days and continuing over the past 36 years. It has always been a delicate balancing act because in most cases, I usually have a vested interest in the game at hand as a player, a parent, a fan, or as a teacher. But I am also a professional photographer, and I have a job to do covering such games. During my career as a photographer, I have seen the full gamut of sportsmanship and conduct, from noteworthy to notorious. I have witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly, sometimes even in the same night. But I have one particular experience that lifted my heart, blessed me beyond measure, and exemplified for me the essence and power of Christian sportsmanship. Topics: [High School](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/high-school) [Sports](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/topic/sports) [Continue Reading](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/through-my-lens-an-example-of-christian-sportsmanship) [All posts](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12/all) ### Featured ### SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE MORE HELPFUL ARTICLES FOR NAVIGATING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION ![](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/hubfs/WC%20Assets%20(Logos%20and%20Fonts)/Logos/Horizontal%20Academic%20Logo%20for%20Dark%20Backgrounds.png) Worthington Christian School is Columbus, Ohio's leader in K-12 grade Christian education. - BLOG MENU - [Navigating Ages 3-K](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/ages3-k) - [Navigating Grades 1-5](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades1-5) - [Navigating Grades 6-8](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades6-8) - [Navigating Grades 9-12](https://discover.worthingtonchristian.com/grades9-12) ###### Contact Us 614-431-8215 [info@worthingtonchristian.com](mailto:info@worthingtonchristian.com) 6675 Worthington-Galena Road Worthington, OH 43085 ###### Subscribe ©2020 Worthington Christian School, Inc. All rights reserved.