Equal Playing Time For All
(Excerpt from “Coaching Youth Sports”)
by Dr. Richard K. Stratton
“CYS received a question asking about our feelings on the emotional
impact on a child who consistently plays 1/4 of a game while the other
teammates play the entire game. This question raises a broader issue.
What is the fundamental purpose of youth sports? How should this purpose
be reflected in practices and games? Granted we are raising somewhat of
a philosophical issue here, and probably a controversial one at that!
As has been reflected in some of our previous articles, we believe that
the primary purpose of youth sports should be to teach fundamental
sports skills in a non threatening environment. That is, children should
have the opportunity to learn new skills and improve previously learned
skills and have fun doing it.
Coaches must create an environment both in practices and games where
children are not afraid to make mistakes. Using fear of failure as a
motivational technique is unacceptable. Mistakes happen as part of the
learning process. Children who hope to become better skilled so they can
move on to more advanced levels of competition have to be willing to
take risks and experiment with more advanced skill techniques and
strategies. They will not do this if they are afraid of making mistakes.
All members of any team come to the team expecting equal opportunities.
They have the right to expect equal quality and quantity of coaching in
practice. They all must be given the same opportunity to try out what
they learn in practices in game situations. In fact, games should be
considered an extension of practices, another opportunity to learn. An
athlete can not learn much by sitting on the bench. Sports involve
movement, physical skills. They are best learned by doing, not
watching.”
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