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Fair Play
Give the Game Back to the Kids
By Scott Lancaster
There is a gaping wound in youth sports that's created a much-ignored crisis. I'm referring to society's outrageous need to take our children and create champions, MVPs and select or travel team players.
The fact that more than 70 percent of all young children who begin participating in youth sports quit by the age of 12 is appalling. Unfortunately, there are signs that this percentage may continue to grow, resulting in an even more sedentary lifestyle than ever for an increasing number of kids.
Perhaps, like me, you are the parent of a young child and worry about how your child will fare when he or she is ready to participate in sports. With all the negative events that occur today on our children's playing fields, the time has come for a new and proven structure that eliminates all of the off-putting aspects from youth sports and, instead, emphasizes the positive. It's time for real solutions – not discussions – and the solutions lie in a non-traditional approach.
The most compelling evidence that change is needed can be found in the following facts:
- Kids are seeing no significant improvement in their skills and on-field performance.
- Practices are disorganized and boring.
- Too many kids are sitting on the bench with little or no opportunity to play.
- There is a 15 percent chance that violence will break out at youth games or practices.
- There is a greater than 70 percent chance that your child will drop out of organized team sports by the age of 12.
Youth sports have unfortunately become a monumental stage for adult entertainment and fulfillment. Whether it's to relive their childhood experiences or erase past athletic disappointments, some parents expect their children to excel to compensate for their own inadequacies. In order to see any improvements in youth sports, we must stop forcing kids to play adult versions of games.