Soccer, Baseball, Ball Hockey, Rugby....who gets it right? What is it all about? Who is it about?
My kids play lots of sports, both the boys and the girl. I have been a spectator, and a coach though 15 years of their activities, and if my body holds up, I will continue to be involved. Through the years, I have seen many strange and wonderful things in the kids sports world.
Is it about winning? Player development? Engaging players? Community? Some people think great athletes are born. Some think great athletes are made. I think great athletes are a combination. They are coached, and guided and moulded. The difference between any two players is opportunity. Give an athlete the best coaching you can, give them guidance and direction. Provide them motivation by engaging them and giving support; it's a start. Players need the opportunity to develop. This can only happen with opportunity. Players need to be given the opportunity to succeed or fail, and this can only be done in a game environment.
Coaches need to realize kids will fail, and through failure they will learn to succeed. Put them in game situation, and if they make a mistake, let them work though it. Don't take them out of the game, encourage them to rise to the challenge.
It has taken me a long time to learn that it is not all about winning, but by engaging players, developing their skills and forming a community around the sport they play in, winning is a by-product.
So, Who gets it right? What is it all about? Who is it about? What's the point? Good questions. What is the answer? Ask the kids.
