They are a good bunch of guys. And yeah, we beat them regularly by about 7-10 goals. You should play with them. I'm only 29 and most of the guys I play with are in their mid-20s. Its still fun to get out and play once a week. Lax is my team sport fix, skiing is my solo endeavour.
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Because kids aren't already soft enough...
- Thread starter John84
- Start date
They are a good bunch of guys. And yeah, we beat them regularly by about 7-10 goals. You should play with them. I'm only 29 and most of the guys I play with are in their mid-20s. Its still fun to get out and play once a week. Lax is my team sport fix, skiing is my solo endeavour.
NYDrew
New member
This just in on the wire:
The US Army has officially adopted the "nancy pants" rules of war, agreeing that they will no longer attempt to win battles with minimal american casualties. The new rules dictate that the armed forces will attempt to keep the casualties as fair and equal as possible.
When I have kids, if I have a boy, I'm going to start them off early and just buy them barbie dolls.
The US Army has officially adopted the "nancy pants" rules of war, agreeing that they will no longer attempt to win battles with minimal american casualties. The new rules dictate that the armed forces will attempt to keep the casualties as fair and equal as possible.
When I have kids, if I have a boy, I'm going to start them off early and just buy them barbie dolls.
ctenidae
Active member
I think this is an effort to keep the coaches from getting beaten up by parents more than anything else. Competitiveness has its place, adn that place is not at your kid's Little League game.
SkiDog
New member
So wait...we take away a "life lesson" in losing or winning becasue of some rude parents??? I think the out of control parents drive that message home even better with thier reactions. you can use them to show "bad sportsmanship".
I think its the coddling of americas youth and it sickens me.
YOU HAVE TO EARN....
M
ctenidae
Active member
Oh, I agree with you, 100%.
SkiDog
New member
I knew there was something in your post that was seemingly cynical..I knew I could count on you...
;-)
M
Jaytrek57
New member
Whoever said it is the parent's fault...is right on the money.
Most parents think their son/daughter is the next Mia Hamm, Derick Jeter, Tiger Woods or [insert superstar here].
Don't fool yourself either...the kids keep score, which makes the "trophy" for every kid mentality that much more of a joke.
Peace.
Most parents think their son/daughter is the next Mia Hamm, Derick Jeter, Tiger Woods or [insert superstar here].
Don't fool yourself either...the kids keep score, which makes the "trophy" for every kid mentality that much more of a joke.
Peace.
Oh I SO disagree...that's what youth sports is for, to foster teamwork and a competitive attitude. The kids are not the problem though, it's the parents.
On my oldest son's last team, I was called by the coach after one game and told that some of the other parents on the team didn't like the way I cheered for my son. Mind you, that consisted of things like "nice pass, David" or "that's some great soccer there" or "Great goal son!". Maybe 3 times a game at most. Fact is, my son was the best player on the team and it wasn't appreciated by some of the other parents who viewed him as a threat to their sons progress. Sick! Most important, David asked me the next game why I was silent and I told him. He signed up to try out for his new team the next day.
And I'm finding at this higher level that the parental BS is proportionately higher. But at least everyone knows it and accepts it and there is good teamwork, work ethic, and most importantly, a burning desire to compete and win. There is NOTHING wrong with that.
Wow. Jim, I'm totatlly on your side with this one. But this how it appears to me. Instead of the other kids feeling insecure with their talent around your son, the other parents are insecure around you because their kid isn't as talented as yours.
So true; let's face it, this all has to do with the key parental buzzword of the past 10 years, self-esteem.
That's why every child has to play the same amount, why they can't score points commensurate with talent (no running up the score), and why cheering for good play is somehow divisive.
And it's all totally counterproductive BS...self-esteem comes from SELF, not play on a field or what you hear from the sideline. Dumbing things down does not increase self-esteem...overcoming long odds, persisting and developing needed skills, and earning playing time are things that help develop self-esteem.
It's being run all wrong.
I wasn't a starter for my HS team. But as a 2nd stringer I learned to stay in tune with what the team is doing, work my butt off, and to step in during a time of need and be a leader if necessary. When young athletes are not coddled there are many life lessons that can be applied to the non-sporting world.
ctenidae
Active member
I'm with you. I've never been able to figure out howself esteem is a good thing if you can work your butt off and get the same "praise" as the fat kid who cries because mommy dropped him off at the game. If everyone's a minner, then winning doesn't mean anything, near as I can tell.
hammer
Active member
Not trying to make an argument (not too much of one anyway :wink
, but what do you do for the kid who may, for whatever reason, just not be all that talented but would like to play? Do you say to that kid "you're just not good enough, so you don't get to play"?Isn't there a bit of a Catch-22 in that? I mean, the kid wants to play and needs the chance to improve, but if the chance isn't there because he/she isn't "good enough" then they won't improve...
I guess I don't have a problem with "recreational" leagues. Not all kids are going to be the next pro sports player (and their parents should wake up and realize this!), but there has to be a way for all kids, regardless of ability, to get out and play in some kind of competitive sport...
And there's no point to playing the game, or keeping score anyway.
We're obsessed with winning any way we can. It's gotten so pathological that we invent winning even when we lose.
Losing, being a good sport, taking ownership of your role in the loss, taking your lumps and showing up and working hard in practice the next day, developing skills, being determined to improve, and performing at a higher level the next time (win or lose) are the traits of high self-esteem.
Winning has little if anything to do with it.
Not trying to make an argument (not too much of one anyway :wink
Isn't there a bit of a Catch-22 in that? I mean, the kid wants to play and needs the chance to improve, but if the chance isn't there because he/she isn't "good enough" then they won't improve...
I guess I don't have a problem with "recreational" leagues. Not all kids are going to be the next pro sports player (and their parents should wake up and realize this!), but there has to be a way for all kids, regardless of ability, to get out and play in some kind of competitive sport...
There are various divisions in each age group in my sons' travel league. Those divisions are based on ability. And if you're not good enough for travel, there is an inhouse program through high school.
There is no reason for anyone who wants to play not to based on this system.
Not trying to make an argument (not too much of one anyway :wink
Isn't there a bit of a Catch-22 in that? I mean, the kid wants to play and needs the chance to improve, but if the chance isn't there because he/she isn't "good enough" then they won't improve...
I guess I don't have a problem with "recreational" leagues. Not all kids are going to be the next pro sports player (and their parents should wake up and realize this!), but there has to be a way for all kids, regardless of ability, to get out and play in some kind of competitive sport...
I think its about managing expectations. I knew I was a second string player and that my couch had confidence in me if I was inserted into the game. If the team knows who the skilled players are and why they play certain positions then they should be fine with it. Regardless of the sport, team sports rely heavily on roles and responsibilities. All types of lessons can be learned if you are a star player or the kid riding the pine.
In regards to the espn article posted, if they want to keep scores "reasonable" just implement a mercy rule. Asking backup high school players who are probably vying for next years playing time to back down is not fair to them. 90-0 though? come on, the coach should be embarrassed. There is such thing as sportsmanship. You actually see it more in the nfl then at the college or high school level.
hammer
Active member
Same system for the soccer program where I live...and I don't have a problem with the travel league being more competitive (e.g., no guaranteed play time). For those kids who are talented enough for it, it's a good idea for them to be there so that they are challenged enough.
One problem that I do have, though, is when I see kids on the rec teams who should have been on a travel team...and their teams don't always do better since they rely too much on their "star" players...
Based on this article, you hit the nail on the head. Its the coaches choice to keep pounding or ease up. Coaches shape how they are perceived by their peers by their actions. If this happens chronically, then the crummy teams will drop these teams from their schedule. When we were up big our coach chose to play the bench players that never got in the big games. Ah, that brings up another point. If the starters run up the score game after game against weaker teams should the games end early or should you reward your bench players with some much deserved game time?
Exactly. In town leagues where everyone makes it and there are minimum playing time requirements, parents need to chill. I saw it growing up. My dad coached in our town for 10 years. He had the 14-16 year olds. Some would go on to play high school ball and played american legion etc. Some could barely tie there own shoes. Most kids whose parents screamed at them or the umps or whatever, were generally more embarrassed and appalled then anyone else out there.
