The Code for Living is important because it supports 30 of the 40 internal and external assets needed to promote healthy, positive lifestyles in youth, as determined by the Search Institute.  In 1996, extensive research led the Search Institute to identify 40 essential building blocks of youth development. These blocks, also called Developmental Assets, are essential for children to develop into competent, healthy, and caring adults. The more assets young people possess, the less likely they are to engage in risky behaviors. Youth with more assets are more likely to do positive things that society values. 

Athletes for a Better World promotes the following assets:

Internal Assets: involve the internal strengths, commitments and values young people need to guide their choices, priorities and decisions.

Achievement Motivation
Caring
Integrity
Honesty
Responsibility
Restraint
Planning and Decision-Making
Interpersonal Competence
Resistance Skills
Peaceful Conflict Resolution   
Personal Power
Self-Esteem   
Sense of Purpose
Positive View of Personal Future 

External Assets: are positive developmental experiences that surround youth with support, empowerment, boundaries, expectations, and constructive use of time. 

Family Support
Positive Family Communication
Other Adult Relationships
Caring Neighborhood
Caring School Climate
Community Values Youth
Youth as Resources
Service to Others
Family Boundaries
School Boundaries
Neighborhood Boundaries
Adult Role Models
Positive Peer Influence
High Expectations
Creative Activities
Youth Programs

Putting assets into action thru sports:

Athletes

• Model positive, responsible behavior.
• Organize a community service project for your team.
• Help a younger team in your community.
• Follow the rules of your team and sport.
• Help and support your teammates.
• Thank people when they do something nice for you.

Coaches

• Create a positive, safe environment.
• Help your team set personal goals.  Expect your athletes to do well.
• Provide many opportunities for youth to be leaders in and contributors to the team.  Allow team members to have a voice in decisions that affect the group.
• Talk with parents about their children. Point out their strengths.
• Find out the birthdays of all your team members. Send them a birthday card.
• Call parents to praise their children when they do "good things" and let them know when you observe bad behavior.
• Organize a community service project for your team - Let your athletes be a part of the decision-making process when selecting a volunteer project.
• Invite parents to participate in their child's experience with your team.
• Take your athletes questions seriously.
• Make sure your athletes know why there are rules.
• Turn your athletes mistakes into learning opportunities.
• Model positive, responsible behavior.

Parents

• Participate in your child’s athletic program-attend as many games as possible, cheer positively for all competitors, get to know your child’s teammates and families so that you can call them by name and chat with them.
• Teach your children that there is more to the game than winning.
• Spend time with children helping them map out their goals. Teach them to plan ahead.  Expect your children to do well.
• Volunteer with your child's team: organize a service project, help with carpool, provide snacks.  Rediscover your role in helping and teaching young people besides your own children.
• Volunteer as a family. Let your children be a part of the decision-making process when selecting a volunteer project.
• Take your child’s questions seriously.
• Make sure your child knows why there are rules.
• Turn your child’s mistakes into learning opportunities.
• Model positive, responsible behavior.

Teachers

• Emphasize that parents are welcome in the school.
• Smile at children.
• Encourage youth in your school to get involved with helping others.
• Build bridges with the community. Schools can be catalysts for community-wide involvement by sharing resources and information.
• Create a positive, safe school environment.
• Establish and enforce consistent boundaries.
• Recruit senior citizens as mentors, buddies and tutors.
• Create volunteer centers at every school for parents and community members.
• Accept students as they are.
• Take your students questions seriously.
• Make sure your students know why there are rules.
• Turn your students mistakes into learning opportunities.
• Model positive, responsible behavior.