WHY NAFBF TEACHES LIFESKILLS

The information accessed via the internet is unfiltered, this has opened a complex information age with a wide range of stimuli. It can get young people into an emotional mess. Not to mention the misinformation, cyberbullying, and other negative consequences affecting kids in the modern age — it’s hard to cope.

That’s why teens and young adults need real-life skills empowerment, now more than ever.

All-encompassing skills can’t be left to learn in the home setting alone — especially since teens often spend more time in athletics.

Imagine young people graduating from school with excellent grades but not knowing the first thing about coping with reality. What if they couldn't communicate effectively? Or couldn’t handle money issues and were always in debt?

It’s both alarming and all-too common. That is why NAFBF should play an active role in preparing kids for the future. Where NAFBF is concerned, that means doing more than merely teaching baseball skills. While no one can downplay the importance of teamwork and athletic skills, it's just not enough without the necessary life skills.

Learning life skills helps young people understand who they are and what they want out of life. Young people grow more aware of their own struggles and those of the people around them.

By becoming aware of this, young people are better equipped to handle what they’re going through and recognize when they need help. This helps reduce incidences of violence. This is per the American Psychological Association.

As these numbers describe, the positive impact of successfully learning the LifeSkills that NAFBF teaches, are published by the APA.

Violent Behaviors, including, but not limited to:

Carrying a Knife or Sharp Weapon

Carrying a Gun

Having used a knife to stab Someone

Having Shot at Someone

Physical Fights with Students/Teachers

Student Displays Aggression

The improvement of student-athlete behavior in the categories listed above range from 40% to 75%. This is significant considering the evolution of technology.

Young people are bombarded with flawless pictures usually taken out of context. Couple this with the fear of missing out, and you have a recipe for mental turmoil, all relative to social media. Not to mention the strain low self-esteem places on relationships with family, friends, and even romantic relationships. The bottom line, young people have a lot to deal with.

It’s no surprise that adolescent mental health issues have been steadily rising.

Through a holistic teaching approach that brings life skills to the NAFBF, athletes can feel more competent and prepared for the challenges life brings.

A life skill program such as NAFBF’s, will teach young people to show empathy and distinguish between listening and hearing. Moreover, it will help them avoid miscommunication, overreacting, and misinterpretation.

This program will help them build healthy relationships with family and friends. Not only that, but these skills will also help students to form healthy connections in the workplace and society.

A good life skills program is crucial for student-athlete success and to set up young people for the future.

Sadly, most teenagers are ill-equipped to handle decision-making and succumb to the negative influence of peer pressure.

A comprehensive life skills program, like that which is offered by NAFBF can help with this. Through the Complete Athlete program, student-athletes learn the importance of self-introspection and taking responsibility for their actions.

Teaching young people how to evaluate situations from both a logical and emotional perspective will improve their decision-making skills.

Young people are brimming with untapped potential. And they need dedicated skills that empower them to bring out the best in themselves.

The NAFBF Complete Athlete program can help teachers, parents, and coaches set young people on the right path.

NAFBF will help student-athletes achieve the best outcomes — well rounded, empowered, and educated young people.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Steven Covey