This particular topic resonates with me very much. As you know, I operate a wrestling school, one that caters to individuals who are passionate about training in the sport of wrestling. Specializing in wrestling would seem to help my business in many respects, but it actually doesn't and I don't support athletes specializing in one sport until they compete at the collegiate level.
Sport specialization is a catchy, professional-sounding phrase for those who choose to participate and compete in only sport. They "specialize" in training for thier sport of choice because they believe their undivided focus to it will help them improve at exponential rates. They're wrong. As children develop kinesthetic awareness, it's more advantageous for them to be involved in many different activities and sports.
When I was a young child, I participated in wrestling, soccer, baseball, football, golf and gymnastics. Every sport helped me understand something different about my body, and, in turn, made me better at each sport. As I began to mature physically, the skills and body awareness that I had acquired in each sport became very evident. Add to that my summer love with our trampoline and an appreciation for dancing, I could do things with my body that could never have been taught in one sport.
I was a successful as a wrestler because I worked hard and possessed quality technical skills, but my ability to maneuver my body in unorthodox ways is what set me apart. This is what I learned by participating in other sports. I used those sports to make me a better athlete. Being a better athlete made me a better wrestler.
Aside from the physical tools that I developed participating in other sports, I also learned valuable emotional and mental lessons. As I started winning more on the wrestling mat, it was important for me experience trials in many different ways to develop perseverance and character. I encourage wrestlers to participate in cross country in the fall. Aside from the cardiovascular base one builds, the mental tests are unmatched in other sports. In cross country, athletes face many unpredictable forms of adversity. How one chooses to look at those situations, and inevitably overcome them, is an extremely valuable commodity to take into other sports.
Another benefit of being involved in multiple sports is the opportunity to take a "mental break." Most coaches understand the importance of letting the body recover from physical demands, but equally as important is making sure the mind has adequate rest time. The younger the athlete is, the shorter the attention span and ability to focus on tasks. This includes a sports season. It's important to cultivate the mind at its proper development stage. Young athletes need to be involved in many activities whereas older athletes can be involved is far less because they have the cognitive ability to focus for longer periods of time. I desperately needed a mental break from wrestling every March. I put so much energy and focus into my wrestling season that I didn't have the mental capacity to focus on wrestling when the season was finished. Educators understand this. Look at how public education is assembled.
At the elementary level, kids learn in a broad environment with very little specialization. Certainly, during math time, they learn math, but they do so in the same environment where they learn many other subjects. Throw in recess, physical education and other convenient mental breaks and you have grades 1-5. In middle school, students begin "specialization." As they change class periods, they move into a different learning environment. Teachers even specialize in certain subjects. Most middle schools in Wisconsin have seven or eight class periods in a school day. Moving forward to high school, most schools exercise the block scheduling system (four class periods in a school day) and students start selecting the subjects they are interested in. Obviously, in college it becomes even more specialized. Sports should follow this mold because it's based on the needs of the kids.
Individual sport specialization is dangerous because it prohibits the overall development of athletes. Children need the opportunity to develop their body, mind and soul through many different avenues. Body awareness, mental strength and perseverance are integral in every sport; I didn't even touch on social development.
Continue encouraging your sons and daughters to participate in a variety of activities and sports. The only time it's acceptable to begin the specialization process is when the basic commitment to another sport is compromised (can't make it to practice, competitions, etc.). Until then, participate in everything. Your body, mind and soul will thank you in the long run.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Too many competitions
I'm attempting to gain momentum in this blog series on the issues faced in youth sports. The first two may have been sensitive to a few individuals and I'm not planning on holding anything back. I want to be sure that we confront these issues in a constructive way and, hopefully, we can all grow and learn from these conversations.
This topic is far less personal, but still very sensitive to parents and coaches. What I find to be most interesting about this, the third post of the series, is these topics are more sensitive to the adults than they are to the youth...something to ponder on. Is our focal point the needs of the kids or the desires of the adults?
I believe a major problem in youth sports is there are too many competitions. I'm concerned about this for two reason. 1.) Kids are burning up their competitive years at a young age, and 2.) Learning and developing athletes has gone out the window. I'll explain my thoughts with two simple illustrations.
Kids are burning up their competitive years
I received amazing advice from a three-time Olympian (wrestler) when I was in high school. He said the average athlete has roughly 10 competitive years in his/her system. Basically, he said we can choose to use those 10 years at a very young age or later in our career. He added there are a few exceptional athletes who can stretch their 10 years into 15-20 years. I haven't been able to dig up any scientific studies on this topic, but I think there's a lot to what this 12-time US National team member had to say.
My wife was a Big Ten Champion on the track in the 10,000 meters and an All-American in the 5,000 meters. Her coach limited the amount of 5K's and 10K's she could compete in throughout each season and in her career. In fact, the 10K race she won at the Big Tens was the first she had competed in during the season. To him it was simple, he believed an athlete's body could withstand only a set number of distance events in a season and career before their productivity started to decline. He had the ultimate standard - time. If your times started getting slower, your body had reached its peak. We don't have a stop watch standard in every sport, but I see athletes declining at much too young of an age in other sports, too.
By the way, this track coach won multiple national team titles, produced over 15 Olympians, coached in the Olympic Games on three separate occasions and never competed in an organized track and field event himself. He used science to win. He saved his athletes so they could reach their competitive peak at the optimal time, and it in wasn't middle school.
Learning and developing athletes has gone out the window
I remember eagerly awaiting the day that I took my driver's test. I turned 16 in the fall of my sophomore year and earned my licence soon thereafter (on my first try). Getting a driver's licence is a pivotal moment in life of a teenager, almost a right of passage into young adulthood. The Department of Transportation doesn't let an individual take a driver's test without first being educated on the rules of the road. In fact, learning needs to take place prior to tests in most facets of life, except athletics.
In youth sports, we forget about the importance of learning the sport. Instead, we thrust kids into the furnace of fire and hope they learn during the competition. There are teachable moments all around us, but teaching during competition isn't effective. What's wrong with making sure that an athlete understands the sport he/she is participating in before competing? We wouldn't dream of putting a 16 year old boy behind the wheel without the proper training, but we don't have a problem expecting a 10 year old to perform on the field, in the arena or on the mat with no training at all. Youth athletes need to learn how to compete before they compete.
I seek opportunities to listen to those who have gone before me and had success at the highest levels. The people I mentioned have been national champions, world champions and Olympic champions, and they're very well-rounded individuals. We miss out on all of this with too many competitions too early.
As an adult, coaching staff or parent, sit down and make conscious decisions on what events are necessary and how to seize the opportunity to help youth athletes learn. My wrestling club is opened 12 months a year, but we're very intentional about when and how much each athlete trains and competes. Together, we choose what events to participate in, and sometimes this means taking a weekend off.
For young athletes, sometimes the best "training" is spending a weekend fishing with Grandpa or building a deck. It's not about competing more. It's about learning more.
This topic is far less personal, but still very sensitive to parents and coaches. What I find to be most interesting about this, the third post of the series, is these topics are more sensitive to the adults than they are to the youth...something to ponder on. Is our focal point the needs of the kids or the desires of the adults?
I believe a major problem in youth sports is there are too many competitions. I'm concerned about this for two reason. 1.) Kids are burning up their competitive years at a young age, and 2.) Learning and developing athletes has gone out the window. I'll explain my thoughts with two simple illustrations.
Kids are burning up their competitive years
I received amazing advice from a three-time Olympian (wrestler) when I was in high school. He said the average athlete has roughly 10 competitive years in his/her system. Basically, he said we can choose to use those 10 years at a very young age or later in our career. He added there are a few exceptional athletes who can stretch their 10 years into 15-20 years. I haven't been able to dig up any scientific studies on this topic, but I think there's a lot to what this 12-time US National team member had to say.
My wife was a Big Ten Champion on the track in the 10,000 meters and an All-American in the 5,000 meters. Her coach limited the amount of 5K's and 10K's she could compete in throughout each season and in her career. In fact, the 10K race she won at the Big Tens was the first she had competed in during the season. To him it was simple, he believed an athlete's body could withstand only a set number of distance events in a season and career before their productivity started to decline. He had the ultimate standard - time. If your times started getting slower, your body had reached its peak. We don't have a stop watch standard in every sport, but I see athletes declining at much too young of an age in other sports, too.
By the way, this track coach won multiple national team titles, produced over 15 Olympians, coached in the Olympic Games on three separate occasions and never competed in an organized track and field event himself. He used science to win. He saved his athletes so they could reach their competitive peak at the optimal time, and it in wasn't middle school.
Learning and developing athletes has gone out the window
I remember eagerly awaiting the day that I took my driver's test. I turned 16 in the fall of my sophomore year and earned my licence soon thereafter (on my first try). Getting a driver's licence is a pivotal moment in life of a teenager, almost a right of passage into young adulthood. The Department of Transportation doesn't let an individual take a driver's test without first being educated on the rules of the road. In fact, learning needs to take place prior to tests in most facets of life, except athletics.
In youth sports, we forget about the importance of learning the sport. Instead, we thrust kids into the furnace of fire and hope they learn during the competition. There are teachable moments all around us, but teaching during competition isn't effective. What's wrong with making sure that an athlete understands the sport he/she is participating in before competing? We wouldn't dream of putting a 16 year old boy behind the wheel without the proper training, but we don't have a problem expecting a 10 year old to perform on the field, in the arena or on the mat with no training at all. Youth athletes need to learn how to compete before they compete.
I seek opportunities to listen to those who have gone before me and had success at the highest levels. The people I mentioned have been national champions, world champions and Olympic champions, and they're very well-rounded individuals. We miss out on all of this with too many competitions too early.
As an adult, coaching staff or parent, sit down and make conscious decisions on what events are necessary and how to seize the opportunity to help youth athletes learn. My wrestling club is opened 12 months a year, but we're very intentional about when and how much each athlete trains and competes. Together, we choose what events to participate in, and sometimes this means taking a weekend off.
For young athletes, sometimes the best "training" is spending a weekend fishing with Grandpa or building a deck. It's not about competing more. It's about learning more.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Uneducated coaches
I have the unique opportunity to coach as my full-time profession. As a result, I put a lot of effort into improving my abilities and knowledge. So, it will come as no surprise that when I have the chance to work in a high school or college wrestling room, travel to an international competition or spend time at the Olympic Training Center, I do my best to soak in as much as I can in hopes of becoming a better coach. Being globally connected in the wrestling world has allowed me to see major differences between the United States and the rest of the world in how we handle sports and coaches.
Our sports systems are drastically different than the European way. Our community identity is in high school sports. They're a part of our public education and create friendly competition amongst kids and adults. I read a book in college that claimed one of the main reason we haven't had a Civil War in recent years is because of high school sports. We settle conflicts on the high school football field whereas countries that don't have this outlet resort to killing each other.
In Europe, sports and school are separated completely. Thinking only about the sport, I can't say which system I am in favor of more, but when it comes to offering students another form of education, I like the American system. However, we're beginning to see a decline in youth sports across America and face an obesity epidemic. So, are we doing well enough to be satisfied with what we're doing?
I'm drifting off course, but I think coaches education has a lot to do with retention and the overall health of our youth athletes. In Russia, for example, they won't let an adult come close to an athlete without an advanced degree in coaching. I'm not talking about a teacher who can coach. Many Europeans universities offer coaching as a major. In fact, a lot of elite international athletes are students at universities earning their degree in coaching.
Our system is starting to fail us at the grassroots level (decline in numbers, etc.) and at the elite levels. In 2008, the United States was shaken by the lack of performance at the Olympic Games. Sure, we won the overall medal count, but sports that were traditionally dominated by Americans weren't in Beijing. There are many theories, but I think it comes down to coaching.
When I return from a major international competition like the World Championships, one of the most common questions has to do with why the Russian wrestling team dominates so much. The Russians chuckle at our training routines and American mindset: train harder and win more. They come from a school of thought that says train more efficiently and train smarter and win more. It's simple, it comes down to coaching. It's not about running more sprints than the other team or taking less water breaks, it's about understanding how to get the most out of each athlete and that takes education and application.
Now, I'm not suggesting that we require every coach to possess a college degree in coaching. However, I do think it's appropriate to expect coaches to be educated on basic human physiological ideas like stretching, strength training and basic periodized training so athletes "peak" at the proper time. I understand that we're not looking for six year old athletes to peak, but we are looking for them to advance and progress at normal rates and most coaches need some light shed in that direction.
What can we do in the United States? I'm not sure. It might not be something that we can control. However, we can start one coach at a time. If you're reading this, are you a certified coach (with any certification program)? Have you considered networking with other coaches to discuss how to get better as a coach? Are you thinking about what each athlete needs to perform his/her best at the most important times of the season? Do you have a self-evaluation in place to assure that you're doing things correctly? These are the types of questions you need to be asking yourself to continually improve as a coach.
What are you doing about educating yourself? Take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available. You might have an athlete that could be the next Olympic champion, or an individual who might invent something that could "save the world," it's imperative that you're cultivating that person properly.
Our sports systems are drastically different than the European way. Our community identity is in high school sports. They're a part of our public education and create friendly competition amongst kids and adults. I read a book in college that claimed one of the main reason we haven't had a Civil War in recent years is because of high school sports. We settle conflicts on the high school football field whereas countries that don't have this outlet resort to killing each other.
In Europe, sports and school are separated completely. Thinking only about the sport, I can't say which system I am in favor of more, but when it comes to offering students another form of education, I like the American system. However, we're beginning to see a decline in youth sports across America and face an obesity epidemic. So, are we doing well enough to be satisfied with what we're doing?
I'm drifting off course, but I think coaches education has a lot to do with retention and the overall health of our youth athletes. In Russia, for example, they won't let an adult come close to an athlete without an advanced degree in coaching. I'm not talking about a teacher who can coach. Many Europeans universities offer coaching as a major. In fact, a lot of elite international athletes are students at universities earning their degree in coaching.
Our system is starting to fail us at the grassroots level (decline in numbers, etc.) and at the elite levels. In 2008, the United States was shaken by the lack of performance at the Olympic Games. Sure, we won the overall medal count, but sports that were traditionally dominated by Americans weren't in Beijing. There are many theories, but I think it comes down to coaching.
When I return from a major international competition like the World Championships, one of the most common questions has to do with why the Russian wrestling team dominates so much. The Russians chuckle at our training routines and American mindset: train harder and win more. They come from a school of thought that says train more efficiently and train smarter and win more. It's simple, it comes down to coaching. It's not about running more sprints than the other team or taking less water breaks, it's about understanding how to get the most out of each athlete and that takes education and application.
Now, I'm not suggesting that we require every coach to possess a college degree in coaching. However, I do think it's appropriate to expect coaches to be educated on basic human physiological ideas like stretching, strength training and basic periodized training so athletes "peak" at the proper time. I understand that we're not looking for six year old athletes to peak, but we are looking for them to advance and progress at normal rates and most coaches need some light shed in that direction.
What can we do in the United States? I'm not sure. It might not be something that we can control. However, we can start one coach at a time. If you're reading this, are you a certified coach (with any certification program)? Have you considered networking with other coaches to discuss how to get better as a coach? Are you thinking about what each athlete needs to perform his/her best at the most important times of the season? Do you have a self-evaluation in place to assure that you're doing things correctly? These are the types of questions you need to be asking yourself to continually improve as a coach.
What are you doing about educating yourself? Take advantage of the educational opportunities that are available. You might have an athlete that could be the next Olympic champion, or an individual who might invent something that could "save the world," it's imperative that you're cultivating that person properly.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Overzealous Parents
The overzealous parent. You've seen him. In fact, as soon as you read "overzealous parent," you probably formulated an image in your mind of one. You know, the guy who lives vicariously through his child because he never reached his dreams and he's hell bent on his kid achieving what he never did. Or the mom who doesn't understand the sport, but screams at the top of her lungs whenever her kid is in the spotlight as if her life depended on it. Both are spectacles at sporting events and both are destroying youth sports.
I appreciate when parents are genuinely excited for their children and I'm always thankful to see a mother or father love their child and care for them deeply. Our society needs more parents who raise their children this way. We don't need anymore parents creating problems because of the way they act.
These parents harm youth sports because they scare people. Children are afraid of their unjust wrath and other parents fear they physically, mentally or emotionally will hurt their kids. They're unapproachable and confrontational, making it nearly impossible to hold them accountable. I've heard many stories of kids quitting sports because these parents. I've also heard of parents not permitting their kids to participate because of them. Not only are they affecting the number of participants, they're having a drastically negative impact on the experience of those who do participate.
The problem with the overzealous parent is an issue of perspective. The best way to combat this issue to be sure everyone with a clipboard and in the stands has a healthy perspective on youth sports. Perspective, simply put, is the capacity to view things in their true relation and relative importance.
Sports should be used as a metaphor to teach life lessons and parents shouldn't be exempt from the educational opportunities. Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. We need to be clear about our objectives and pay attention to what counts most -- helping these children become great men and women someday.
The best way to make sure we keep these parents in check is by having a coach-parent-athlete meeting. Ideally, this meeting would be held by the coach, but it can also be arranged by a parent or group of parents. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the main objectives of the season and make sure everyone is on the same page. During this meeting, it's important to talk about the expectations of everyone involved -- coaches, parents and athletes -- and develop high standards of sportsmanship. The behavior of parents is important so they don't torpedo the experience for the kids. Be proactive.
When I was in 3rd grade, my father had a moment that isn't proudly displayed on his mantle. I was competing in a local youth wrestling tournament and the young high school official didn't have a complete grasp on the rules. My opponent performed an illegal hold and my dad came unglued. He made a scene as he reprimanded the official. After all, he was right, the official wasn't aware of what was happening, but the way it happened was a problem.
Another parent from our youth club pulled my dad aside with a very calm demeanor. He explained that he understood why my dad was upset, so my dad felt like he had done well to confront the official. Then, the other parent asked my dad to take off his River Falls Wrestling shirt because he didn't represent the character that the program wanted to promote. It was a very humbling experience for my dad. If that other parent wouldn't have held him accountable to the club standards, more negative experiences may have happened and I may not have been involved in the sport much longer. There's always a lot at stake when we're dealing with children.
There's no room for overzealous parents in youth sports. High standards and accountability can help assure everyone is on the same page. It's not about the parents, but they still have a place in the sport to grow and learn, just like our children. But in the end, it's about the children.
I appreciate when parents are genuinely excited for their children and I'm always thankful to see a mother or father love their child and care for them deeply. Our society needs more parents who raise their children this way. We don't need anymore parents creating problems because of the way they act.
These parents harm youth sports because they scare people. Children are afraid of their unjust wrath and other parents fear they physically, mentally or emotionally will hurt their kids. They're unapproachable and confrontational, making it nearly impossible to hold them accountable. I've heard many stories of kids quitting sports because these parents. I've also heard of parents not permitting their kids to participate because of them. Not only are they affecting the number of participants, they're having a drastically negative impact on the experience of those who do participate.
The problem with the overzealous parent is an issue of perspective. The best way to combat this issue to be sure everyone with a clipboard and in the stands has a healthy perspective on youth sports. Perspective, simply put, is the capacity to view things in their true relation and relative importance.
Sports should be used as a metaphor to teach life lessons and parents shouldn't be exempt from the educational opportunities. Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. We need to be clear about our objectives and pay attention to what counts most -- helping these children become great men and women someday.
The best way to make sure we keep these parents in check is by having a coach-parent-athlete meeting. Ideally, this meeting would be held by the coach, but it can also be arranged by a parent or group of parents. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the main objectives of the season and make sure everyone is on the same page. During this meeting, it's important to talk about the expectations of everyone involved -- coaches, parents and athletes -- and develop high standards of sportsmanship. The behavior of parents is important so they don't torpedo the experience for the kids. Be proactive.
When I was in 3rd grade, my father had a moment that isn't proudly displayed on his mantle. I was competing in a local youth wrestling tournament and the young high school official didn't have a complete grasp on the rules. My opponent performed an illegal hold and my dad came unglued. He made a scene as he reprimanded the official. After all, he was right, the official wasn't aware of what was happening, but the way it happened was a problem.
Another parent from our youth club pulled my dad aside with a very calm demeanor. He explained that he understood why my dad was upset, so my dad felt like he had done well to confront the official. Then, the other parent asked my dad to take off his River Falls Wrestling shirt because he didn't represent the character that the program wanted to promote. It was a very humbling experience for my dad. If that other parent wouldn't have held him accountable to the club standards, more negative experiences may have happened and I may not have been involved in the sport much longer. There's always a lot at stake when we're dealing with children.
There's no room for overzealous parents in youth sports. High standards and accountability can help assure everyone is on the same page. It's not about the parents, but they still have a place in the sport to grow and learn, just like our children. But in the end, it's about the children.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
7 biggest problems in youth sports
Before I get started with this series about the problems that we face in youth sports, I think it's appropriate to outline what I believe to be the largest hurdles. I did my best to channel my thought process into the seven biggest problems. This way, I can tackle one issue each day.
To wet your palette, here are the 7 biggest problems that we face in youth sports:
- Overzealous parents
- Uneducated coaches
- Too many competitions
- Sports specialization
- Weight management
- Emphasis on winning
- Communication
Obviously, there are other problems within the culture of youth sports, but I believe these seven are the largest, most relevant and need immediate attention.
Often times, when people discover problems, they don't offer solutions to fix them. I don't want to be a cowardly complainer who lacks the courage to make positive changes, so I will offer solutions to make each situation better. In addition, I will try every solution first hand at Victory.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The condition of youth sports...let's go
I have written two blogs about my philosophy on coaching youth wrestling and have received a lot of positive feedback from athletes, coaches and parents. I've been very pleased by how many people agree that youth sports needs immediate attention and a general make-over as soon as possible. We need everyone to embrace healthy perspectives.
Obviously, I look at youth sports through the eyes of a wrestling coach. Many of the hurdles that we face are similar in other sports. This has motivated me to write a new "blog series" addressing the major issues that our society and culture faces in regards to youth sports (particularly, youth wrestling). I will attempt to outline a few of the major problems and offer suggestions on how to better serve the needs of our youth.
I'm embarking on this adventure much like a crusade. I'd like this to be a catalyst for change in the wrestling community as I confront these issues head-on. I've met too many parents who have children walk away from sports because of these issues. With your help, we can change the culture. It may seem impossible with all of the voices, all of the inertia and all of the counter productive momentum pushing in the wrong direction, but together we can do it.
I'm asking my readers, as large or small as the following is, to engage in difficult discussions with other members of your club and community. I'm also interested in what you have to say about these issues, so feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail. If you have an issue that I don't address but would like me to, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to offer my two cents.
It is possible to uphold new standards of excellence and expect the best from our parents and coaches so that we can do what's BEST for our future generations. I believe we can change the culture of youth sports in America and I'm looking forward to this challenge. It's not too late to get it right and it's never wrong to do what right! Let's go!
Obviously, I look at youth sports through the eyes of a wrestling coach. Many of the hurdles that we face are similar in other sports. This has motivated me to write a new "blog series" addressing the major issues that our society and culture faces in regards to youth sports (particularly, youth wrestling). I will attempt to outline a few of the major problems and offer suggestions on how to better serve the needs of our youth.
I'm embarking on this adventure much like a crusade. I'd like this to be a catalyst for change in the wrestling community as I confront these issues head-on. I've met too many parents who have children walk away from sports because of these issues. With your help, we can change the culture. It may seem impossible with all of the voices, all of the inertia and all of the counter productive momentum pushing in the wrong direction, but together we can do it.
I'm asking my readers, as large or small as the following is, to engage in difficult discussions with other members of your club and community. I'm also interested in what you have to say about these issues, so feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail. If you have an issue that I don't address but would like me to, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to offer my two cents.
It is possible to uphold new standards of excellence and expect the best from our parents and coaches so that we can do what's BEST for our future generations. I believe we can change the culture of youth sports in America and I'm looking forward to this challenge. It's not too late to get it right and it's never wrong to do what right! Let's go!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Who's going to coach my son?
Coach's education has become very important to me. As I open my mind to what the world has to offer me, I have come to expect other coaches to do the same. Individuals never outgrow learning, especially those who are educators and coaches.
Why is it then, that the place that I see those who are least willing to learn are in positions that have the most influence in the life of a child? The most influential person in the life of a child is, in fact, Coach. Studies have proved the two most important words that American children hear or say is, “Coach says.” That’s a heavy burden to carry and a very large responsibility that must be taken seriously by anyone who calls themselves “coach.”
The problem that we have in the United States is that anyone can call themselves coach. We let every Tom, Dick and Harry put on that title if they’re willing. Never mind if they’re qualified for the position, if they’re interested then give them a clipboard and whistle. I guess it’s consistent with the “participation mindset,” that everyone is a winner and everyone gets equal playing time. Why should it be different for adults, right?
I’ll tell you why it should be different, because the lives and overall well-being of children is at stake. Their character development is in the hands of coaches. Our future leaders are being shaped by these individuals. Sometimes, this is left up to an adult with no positive character traits and no leadership skills. I think it is wise to have very high standards for coaches.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everyone who has given their time and energy to helping children in sports. I believe that most coaches are genuinely doing the best that they can and doing what they believe is right. However, this doesn’t give everyone a free pass to coach because not everyone is a good coach, even if they’re doing the best that they can. Sorry, but not everyone is qualified to coach.
I communicate with coaches and parents on a regular basis. I hear many different perspectives and my conviction on youth sports grows stronger and stronger each day. There is a right way to coach youth athletes and there is a wrong way. The right way is to encourage participation by making sports fun and focusing on development and retention while promoting healthy lifestyles and sound decision making abilities with positive character. Period. That’s it. That’s youth sports. Notice, I didn’t mention anything about winning?
The wrong way, 100% of the time, is to focus on winning. When winning becomes the focus, development is hindered. Short cuts are inevitably taken to find immediate success. There are no long-term goals to those who focus on winning at the youth level. This short sightedness leads to the demise of youth programs and high school sports. We’re getting everything out of our children at an age when they don’t understand its significance and it’s robbing them of future opportunities to grow. Sorry, but your 3rd grader is not an exception, either. I don’t care how advanced you believe he/she is, or how ambitious you are as a coach, you can’t, can’t, CANT substitute development for a chance at fleeting, temporary success. If this offends you, I'm glad someone is finally telling you because you're wrong.
The best analogy that I have to understand my commitment to development at the youth levels is like planting a tree. I planted a small pine tree in my back yard three years ago. It would have been easier to plant that little thing right outside my backdoor instead of far away in the corner of my yard. It would have been easier to care for it, water it and watch it grow. Heck, it may have even grown quicker because I would have paid close attention to it. However, in a few short years, when that pine started to mature, it would not have been able to grow anymore. The roots would have grown into the house. I’m certain the insurance company would have eventually made me dig it up because it could damage the integrity of the foundation. Plus, who wants a tree alongside the house? I'd much rather have a beautiful deck outside my backdoor. This is how youth sports should be viewed. This is the right way. It’s wrong to plant your tree outside your door.
Today, there are 57 million kids playing youth sports who are between 6 and 14 years of age, but only 7 million 15 years or older. Too many people are planting their trees next to their houses and it's time to do something about it.
One coach will impact more young people in one year than the average person impacts in an entire lifetime. So, what’s our filter for these people? How do we choose who gets to coach my son? What are the qualifications, if any, to hold these precious, moldable hearts and minds in our hands? A child’s future is at stake. I don't think we need to make sure a coach understands the cognitive abilities of children, or their kinesthetic capabilities and awareness of lactic acid threshold and periodized cycles. We need someone who is willing to learn and grasps the sport they’re teaching, and above all, loves children and wants to see them develop into men and women?
I'm very passionate about seeing children succeed and I'm not sorry if this offended you. I'm not interested in making coaches feel good about what they do. It's not about them. We need to start thinking about what the kid’s need, not what the adults want.
Why is it then, that the place that I see those who are least willing to learn are in positions that have the most influence in the life of a child? The most influential person in the life of a child is, in fact, Coach. Studies have proved the two most important words that American children hear or say is, “Coach says.” That’s a heavy burden to carry and a very large responsibility that must be taken seriously by anyone who calls themselves “coach.”
The problem that we have in the United States is that anyone can call themselves coach. We let every Tom, Dick and Harry put on that title if they’re willing. Never mind if they’re qualified for the position, if they’re interested then give them a clipboard and whistle. I guess it’s consistent with the “participation mindset,” that everyone is a winner and everyone gets equal playing time. Why should it be different for adults, right?
I’ll tell you why it should be different, because the lives and overall well-being of children is at stake. Their character development is in the hands of coaches. Our future leaders are being shaped by these individuals. Sometimes, this is left up to an adult with no positive character traits and no leadership skills. I think it is wise to have very high standards for coaches.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everyone who has given their time and energy to helping children in sports. I believe that most coaches are genuinely doing the best that they can and doing what they believe is right. However, this doesn’t give everyone a free pass to coach because not everyone is a good coach, even if they’re doing the best that they can. Sorry, but not everyone is qualified to coach.
I communicate with coaches and parents on a regular basis. I hear many different perspectives and my conviction on youth sports grows stronger and stronger each day. There is a right way to coach youth athletes and there is a wrong way. The right way is to encourage participation by making sports fun and focusing on development and retention while promoting healthy lifestyles and sound decision making abilities with positive character. Period. That’s it. That’s youth sports. Notice, I didn’t mention anything about winning?
The wrong way, 100% of the time, is to focus on winning. When winning becomes the focus, development is hindered. Short cuts are inevitably taken to find immediate success. There are no long-term goals to those who focus on winning at the youth level. This short sightedness leads to the demise of youth programs and high school sports. We’re getting everything out of our children at an age when they don’t understand its significance and it’s robbing them of future opportunities to grow. Sorry, but your 3rd grader is not an exception, either. I don’t care how advanced you believe he/she is, or how ambitious you are as a coach, you can’t, can’t, CANT substitute development for a chance at fleeting, temporary success. If this offends you, I'm glad someone is finally telling you because you're wrong.
The best analogy that I have to understand my commitment to development at the youth levels is like planting a tree. I planted a small pine tree in my back yard three years ago. It would have been easier to plant that little thing right outside my backdoor instead of far away in the corner of my yard. It would have been easier to care for it, water it and watch it grow. Heck, it may have even grown quicker because I would have paid close attention to it. However, in a few short years, when that pine started to mature, it would not have been able to grow anymore. The roots would have grown into the house. I’m certain the insurance company would have eventually made me dig it up because it could damage the integrity of the foundation. Plus, who wants a tree alongside the house? I'd much rather have a beautiful deck outside my backdoor. This is how youth sports should be viewed. This is the right way. It’s wrong to plant your tree outside your door.
Today, there are 57 million kids playing youth sports who are between 6 and 14 years of age, but only 7 million 15 years or older. Too many people are planting their trees next to their houses and it's time to do something about it.
One coach will impact more young people in one year than the average person impacts in an entire lifetime. So, what’s our filter for these people? How do we choose who gets to coach my son? What are the qualifications, if any, to hold these precious, moldable hearts and minds in our hands? A child’s future is at stake. I don't think we need to make sure a coach understands the cognitive abilities of children, or their kinesthetic capabilities and awareness of lactic acid threshold and periodized cycles. We need someone who is willing to learn and grasps the sport they’re teaching, and above all, loves children and wants to see them develop into men and women?
I'm very passionate about seeing children succeed and I'm not sorry if this offended you. I'm not interested in making coaches feel good about what they do. It's not about them. We need to start thinking about what the kid’s need, not what the adults want.
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