[JohnE]

I have spent quite a bit of time coaching youth sports (Soccer, baseball and ice hockey) and as I am sure many of you know, there is quite an emphasis these days on political correctness in sport. Participation awards, not keeping score etc. Are we doing the kids a disservice by not teachign them to go all out for the win? It should not be important for the coaches to win; this is what ruins youth sport, misguided adult involvement. But kids need to learn to do what it takes to win, to sacrifice and push to win in and go all out, and to lose gracefully.
Thoughts?

 

[MMcG]

I think that kids should be encouraged to strive to win yes. But that should be balanced at the younger ages with teaching them about what it means to be on a team, and what it means to compete to the best of your ability,and also to teach the kids the skills and nuances of the game they are playing (hockey, soccer, baseball etc.).

It definitely should not be about the coach's ego however.

During our last three games our kids came out flying and got up real early on our opponents. So at that point, I enforced a team rule that we had to make three passes before taking a shot - but at the same time I emphasized the importance of puck control in the game of hockey and I encouraged them to be as creative as possible while making those three passes before taking a shot.

At the end of the second period of our last two games that rule went up to a 4 pass rule. And the kids did great with it. They were moving the puck and moving to open space without it. It was a good way to teach and to allow them to see what can happen when you pass and move without the puck.

Now we'll need to carry those lessens over to our future games, and I'll emphasize to the kids that they'll just have to pass and move quicker against our better opponents this weekend.

I'm anxious to see how they'll do.

 

[LordOpie]

There should be two types of leagues. A competitive -- walk it off ya pvssy -- leagues and social leagues.

We shouldn't force kids to be competitive in any way.

As an old man, why would I want to play in a competitive softball league? If I can't drink a beer at first, fvck it.

 

[JapaneseZero]

This is all because the country is being run by a pack of idiots that were never athletic and always lost at sports so this is their version of restitution for the new generation...

 

[MMcG]

This is all because the country is being run by a pack of idiots that were never athletic and always lost at sports so this is their version of restitution for the new generation...

Huh?

 

[JapaneseZero]

People who have always been the last one picked at recess because they sucked feel bad because they see others not getting "picked." Competitive sports are made to be competitive... duh... so if you arent as good as the next guy, suck it up, practice a lot, and make yourself better. every child should be recognized for their participation, and every child (up to a certian age) should play, and that should be pressured on by the coach and league (everyone plays). However by making leagues less competitive by not pushing to accept only 100% is crap. im probably ranting incoherantly, however i understand myself.

 

[Flakey Jake]

I was lucky in high school as I had a really cool wrestling coach. The poor guys playing football had one of the biggest a holes for a coach you've ever seen. We trained to win and were the most succesful sports program at the highschool (we were ranked 6th in state my senior year). The football team, not so much. They definitely trained to win, but they didn't do that great. The point is you can be a cool, down to earth coach, and still coach to win. I think sports are about competing and hopefully winning. Don't let em water that down, but don't be an a hole in the process.