By Alex Perdikis
Has youth sports lost its fun factor only to give way to a highly competitive and angry experience for young athletes? It’s a hot debate. If you’re a parent, you probably worry about the state of sports for children these days. And, rightly so.
Is there anything you can do to give your child the joyful experience of playing youth sports without all the anger and overly competitive atmosphere? The answer is yes.
Why Youth Sports?
Youth sports gives your child an unequaled opportunity to learn about life. Playing on a team teaches children how to work together for a common goal, how to get along with people of various backgrounds and cultures, how to become leaders and builds self-confidence.
Children learn resilience and build problem-solving skills.
“A positive experience with youth sports prepares your child for life as an adult. Research studies indicate that children who play sports get better grades, learn teamwork and are more physically fit.” — Alex Perdikis
Clearly, youth sports benefits both mind and body.
Your Idea of Fun Is Not Necessarily Your Child’s
When you think of your child’s sports team, you might picture tournament wins and a shelf at home with a lot of trophies. Your child probably has a different idea about fun.
A George Washington University researcher asked student athletes why they played. Nearly every child said they played because it was fun. The researcher then asked each player what was fun about the sport they played.
Here are their top answers:
- Being active
- Getting playing time
- Working as a team
- Trying their best
- Respectful treatment from coaches and parents
Winning was on the list, but it was No. 48 out of 81. The young athletes found the greatest joy by playing hard alongside teammates with supportive interactions from coaches and parents.
Where It Goes Wrong
What takes the fun out of youth sports? A McCarthy and Jones research study found that younger children and older children experience loss of joy for different reasons.
Younger children said that coaches were the problem. Not offering positive reinforcement and punishment for perceived mistakes took the fun right out of the game for them.
Older athletes, those from middle school and up, said the excessive training and an emphasis on winning turned sports into drudgery.
Poor coaching is one of the main causes of lack of enjoyment and dropping out. But, in a large number of cases, parents share the blame.
One research study confirmed that the worst part about losing a game for many young athletes was the drive home with their parents.
What Can You Do?
If you want your child to experience the joy of youth sports without the extremism, the ball is in your court. Work with your child to create an atmosphere of positive reinforcement. Evaluate your child’s abilities. Don’t expect performance beyond their capabilities.
Thoroughly examine any sports program you consider. Make sure you and the coaching staff are on the same page as far as goals and coaching techniques. Be proactive as a supportive parent and cheerleader. Youth sports are supposed to spark joy after all.
Alex Perdikis, Koons of Silver Spring general manager and owner, lives in Chevy Chase with his wife and daughters.