Saturday was a tough day for my two sons who play little league baseball. Both teams lost and lost very badly. Each team was a victim of the 10 run rule and both teams seemed to just not have it yesterday. Both teams are much better than they performed, but had one of those days. Its why we need competition and adversity to become better....they have to understand that its how you deal with these days and your attitude that impacts whether or not these type days can actually be an opportunity for growth. In an effort to teach them just that, we went to the ballpark today for a workout. Trying to show them that when things don't go well, you simply go to work!
On Tuesday night, I will be participating in a discussion on the chat utility at the following website: http://becomingatruechampion.blogspot.com/. I encourage everyone and anyone to attend and participate. The idea is to have a general discussion and the direction will be dictated by the participants. Hope to see you there...
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Are you serious...
This article is an example of exactly the attitude that is ruining the youth sports leagues around our country.
http://www.momsteam.com/team-of-experts/brooke-de-lench/editorials/rethinking-youth-sports?page=0%2C0
It actually advocates many ridiculous ideas. The strategies in this article have no place in any youth sports programs that have the intention of actually helping the participants become better people, not just players. Why do we want to work this hard to make kids feel good about themselves as players....when its simply not true in many instances.
It is obvious that safety, sportsmanship, adherence to all rules and parent behavior are important priorities for all leagues. But reducing youth sports to intramural, non-compete, everybody plays-everybody wins activities is removing what makes sport great. Where are the lessons of dealing with adversity, sacrificing for the team, hard work to earn playing time and other ideas that can benefit young people for their entire life, beyond sports. Its about more than making everyone feel good.
http://www.momsteam.com/team-of-experts/brooke-de-lench/editorials/rethinking-youth-sports?page=0%2C0
It actually advocates many ridiculous ideas. The strategies in this article have no place in any youth sports programs that have the intention of actually helping the participants become better people, not just players. Why do we want to work this hard to make kids feel good about themselves as players....when its simply not true in many instances.
It is obvious that safety, sportsmanship, adherence to all rules and parent behavior are important priorities for all leagues. But reducing youth sports to intramural, non-compete, everybody plays-everybody wins activities is removing what makes sport great. Where are the lessons of dealing with adversity, sacrificing for the team, hard work to earn playing time and other ideas that can benefit young people for their entire life, beyond sports. Its about more than making everyone feel good.
Why I am Here....
I have been coaching youth sports for years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science with a specializing in Sports Management and a Master's Degree in Sports Management, studying the issue for a long time. More importantly, my personal experiences have led me to find the motivation to begin to speak about the things I think are WRONG with youth sports today. I am also hopeful to find others that share my views and are interested in REPAIRING YOUTH SPORTS programs around the country.
This blog will likely be controversial due to the views I hold of our youth sports programs. Change is needed before we lose an entire generation of children who will not have an opportunity to benefit from the life lessons that participation in sports has taught for so many years. This is a beginning that will hopefully provoke a new thought process for many who have simply accepted the current direction of our youth sports programs.
Lets get to work....spark debate....change attitudes....and impact kids!
This blog will likely be controversial due to the views I hold of our youth sports programs. Change is needed before we lose an entire generation of children who will not have an opportunity to benefit from the life lessons that participation in sports has taught for so many years. This is a beginning that will hopefully provoke a new thought process for many who have simply accepted the current direction of our youth sports programs.
Lets get to work....spark debate....change attitudes....and impact kids!
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