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I found this article to be one of the best articles I have ever read about youth sports in general today.
Have we developed a system that has created an unintended consequence in player development? I can honestly say that kids are playing more games over a 12 month period than ever before yet we find fewer competitors in today's culture. What do I mean by this statement? Pound for pound, you will find more kids that are more technically sound than ever before but we are confusing ability for talent. As Allen Fox, author of The Winners Mind suggest, "Most people mistake speed for skill and talent. Real talent starts with energy, drive, work ethic and the will to win. Without these attributes, a player can never be great."
In this country, we have focused so much on playing, that we have not taught our players to compete-to-fight-to work hard or to have the will to win. We emphasize playing, technical ability and skills. Our youth players play a lot of softball(baseball), but few compete.
It is not always the fault of the players. Our "system" or our "softball (baseball) culture" is dysfunctional. When a player is not playing, she(he)simply changes teams. There is no thought about competing for a spot on the team, fighting for a spot, getting better to earn a spot- we simply change teams. The message to the players is that striving to get better is not important; it is simply how you play and how you look.
High School age players dont care much about the outcome of most games they play. They do care about "showing"- about playing to showcase their skills and abilities for college coaches. How many times have you heard a parent tell their daughter/son that you played well or you showed well despite losing that game?
Add to this the large number of meaningless games and we have a deadly combination. The emphasis slowly changes for the game to the individual. The emphasis has changed to playing and showing and competing is lost. By the time our players move to the next level, they have not learned how to compete.
In fact, research is very clear that constant praising of childrens innate (sofball/baseball skills or intellectual) ability can prevent young athletes/students from living up to their potential. On the other hand, studies show that teaching young people to focus on effort rather that ability helps make them high achievers and competitors in school, on the field and in life! As coaches, we must do our part to emphasize attitude and effort- two elements that we have control over each and every day and will largely influence our success in life.
Mike Candrea
*Olympic Gold Metal 2004
*Olympic Silver Metal 2008
*United States Olympic Committee Coach of the Year in 2004 and honored with Olympic Shield
*University of Arizona NCAA 8 Time National Champions 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2006, 2007
*4 Time National Coach of The Year
*10 Time Pac-10 Coach of The Year
*Coach 39 NCAA All Americans who have received a total of 82 All American Awards
*Coach of 5 Honda Broderick Award Winners given to the best player in collegiate softball each season |
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