Just for Fun? Not Keeping Score? I think this is a failing model...


I JUST RANTED TO A COMPUTER USER AT WORK ABOUT THIS
NOT SURE IF SHE WANTED TO HEAR THE MADNESS IN MY HEAD
this is an ancient post I never published



A Lack of Competitiveness in Younger Runners is Turning Some Races into Parades


kickball... dodge ball... sure
but leagues?

do people get kicked out for trying too hard?
is it bad to be good?

In kids soccer if a kid is scoring too many goals... they get pulled from the field
after all
we do not want the kid who tries to be rewarded
they may make the kid that does not care or try feel bad
and well
we would not want any reality in this situation

I am a kids soccer coach... "rec" soccer
it is not that competitive
it is not that skilled
yet... I want the kids to develop
I want the kids to put something in and get something out

PERSONAL BEST!

it is not your personal best if you are not trying your best

JUST FOR FUN is akin to JUST SHOW UP

and well... that will have a directed relationship to the INPUT TO REWARD RATIO

in travel soccer the kids meet for multiple practices a week... multiple games a weekend...
they practice longer on practice days
and
they play four seasons rather than two

it is obvious why travel soccer players are better than rec players

yes... better coaching
higher level of play surrounding each player
but really it comes down to one thing
more touches on the ball or more simply more time playing soccer

not everyone needs to play sports
but... if people are playing sports
why not ask them to try?
and
why not allow there to be reality to the game

there is a motivation in avoiding failure
in this everybody wins model... most everyone loses

if there is no consequence for losing why bother breaking a sweat
everyone gets a snack after the game
everyone gets a trophy at the end of the season
the mind of today's youth does not understand the notion of failure

there needs to be some reality
kids need to try harder to avoid the penalty for not trying
but this does not happen
parents cheer no matter what

I push my kids... maybe a little hard at times
well... compared to other parents
it is awkward
their brains are like the other kids in this modern age

this is another ancient post...
but it does ring true

it is more than "touches on the ball"
there is genetic potential
and
there is want... the child must have want
want comes from within
how do we instill want?
how do we light the fire inside?