Why Team Sports Don't Promote Growth

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 09:42:05 +0000
By
CoachGaz
September 3, 2023
Why Team Sports Don't Promote Growth

CoachGaz

   •    

September 3, 2023

Before I continue, I want to preface this by saying I by no means hate organized team sports, in or outside of school. I think they're great for kids to get into, even for adults!

But���Organized team sports do not encourage growth.

Why? Because everyone wants to win.

Therein lies the problem. When everyone wants to win, only the best players play. That doesn't leave much room for the mediocre players, never mind the ones that still have a lot to learn. 

Here's the problem with it. Playing organized sports, especially as a kid (this is completely different for adults), should be about developing skills such as how to dribble a ball, swing a bat or skate on the ice. These skills should be tested in practice and in games; otherwise the kids are never going to get better.

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But rarely does this happen, because everyone wants to win and when everyone wants to win, only the best players play.

Now, I'm not saying this happens all the time. I know it doesn't. There are great coaches out there that understand what youth sports are all about, but there are plenty more that don't, and it's unfortunate. 

The good news is not all hope is lost. There are sports that promote skill, teamwork and community, and do it all while encouraging personal growth. Sports such as karate and CrossFit bolster personal growth, teaching skills such as body awareness, motor control, discipline and mental fortitude while promoting teamwork in a community-like environment. 

In these sports, kids work on their own personal goals, the next stripe or the next personal record while encouraging and helping others in class. These types of sports only lift up, never tear down.

Does this mean you shouldn't let your kids play traditional team sports? Of course not. But in a world that defines success and failure by wins and losses, consider showing your kids another side of athletics, too one that rewards effort with growth. 

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