| "Because something benefits most athletes does not mean it must benefit all athletes" |
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| on 06 May 2009 | |
A response to:
The runaway train of youth sportsBob,Your column on Sunday, May 3rd about parents and sports was a little short on perspective. You take the poor attitudes and behavior of a small minority of parents as typical and you take the comments of a few coaches as somehow - wise and correct. Those comments might be wise and correct, but they should certainly be examined. For example, what is "not right. This is wrong" with a well planned year round football program for players who love to play football. The reason that schools don't have sports programs for "kids all thumbs and two left feet" is probably due to the cost. However, these kids have the opportunity to play various youth sports. Unfortunately, in America we have a forty year history in soccer showing that the great majority of casual young players quit by the age of twelve. I am more aware about what has been happening in soccer and the good news is that more and more young players who love the sport are playing a schedule based on the World model - a sensible 9 to 10 month season with about 40 games and 80 to 120 practices. This in not an experiment, but copied from programs from all over the world. Not only do many more of these dedicated players continue to play, but they improve with each season - and the health benefits are obvious, continuing and enormous. As a career teacher, now retired, I am delighted to see average young athletes concentrate on one sport they love and play the others, if they wish, in make-up games. There are many sports - long distance running and soccer come easily to mind, in which dedication and hard work can result in an athlete of average size, build and speed - becoming an excellent player. I am old enough to remember when children were admonished not to be "a jack of all trades and a master of none". How excellent a player will be is the result of many variables - grades, luck, coaching, lack of serious injuries, dedication, maintaining focus, not beginning work at 16 - but the biggest necessity is having a love and passion for the sport. Because something benefits most athletes does not mean it must benefit all athletes. If a young person is a "nervous wreck" the adult coaches - along with the parents - should feel a responsibility to help! There is always some helpful nervousness present when people are "striving for excellence" - in any area of life, but it should not be so extreme causing the use the word "wreck". Some parents do expect their children to do too much and they sometimes need the guidance of people they respect. Some parents and their children are unrealistic about their future and they need honest appraisals from people they respect. However, the great majority of parents are sensible and caring and will listen to common sense - especially that based on real events - not personal theory. Thank you! Herb Ziemer |
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