Day 1342 | Why so serious?
I remember playing soccer as a kid like it was yesterday. It was the highlight of my week to go out and play with my mates and while I made some rep teams along the way, I wasn’t a star. But as a kid at 7-10 age group it didn’t really matter about that, and it was more about the oranges at half time. At age 10 it got competitive and by 12 it was either win or complete failure… nothing in between.
The pressure was immense and I watched kids in my teams drop away because it stopped being fun and they either weren’t weren’t getting the time on the field or when they did it was nerve-wracking because they didn’t want to make a mistake. So these players that were on the fringes but absolutely loved being part of a team, eventually went to another sport (or out of sport altogether).
Fast forward 30 years and I get to now coach my son in junior basketball and the same things are happening, and I was as guilty as anyone of focussing on the wins and losses only. That was until a month ago I sat in a meeting about retention of kids in sport and how much damage can be done to kids that are developing and growing through these junior age groups by constantly having them worried about being the best, and only winning is enough, instead of just having fun and feeling a part of something.
I love the competition side of sport and there’s a place for elite programs and development opportunities… BUT that can come later than 7-12 year olds surely. Shouldn’t we just be concentrating on everyone being a member of a team (or an individual in a sport where the athletes support each other) or do we turn them into ‘win at all costs’ kids?
I’ve told my under 10 kids that I want 3 things from them each game this season. To rush to pick each other up if someone falls to the floor, to give out high 5s and fist bumps to teammates as much as possible over a game, and to keep their head up and a smile on their faces while they play. 3 things that whether we win or lose will hopefully make them into well-rounded young men that value sport and the part it can play in your happiness, and not just when you win.
#teamtime #winsandlosses #thelonggame #hudson365