Things Your Kids Didn't Learn in School and the Youth Sports Environment

In this type of framework, much more emphasis is placed on the outcome with little reward on the actual efforts put in on the process...so outcome over process. This is something I have emphasized on many occasions as being a big issue in the youth sports environment.

To me, there should always be a more balanced approach that emphasizes the process over the outcome. That principle alone accounted for much of my success as an athlete, as a coach, and as a teacher.

Now I should point out that I don’t follow the “new age” concepts I discussed above myself simply because I do not believe them to be appropriate for the age I teach, high school. I could write pages of details as to why this is the case; however, let me just say that I am much more inclined to support the idea of allowing one to get what one actually earns.

Even though very blunt and possibly a little harsh, I suppose I am pretty much in line with the list of items suggested by Sykes. I most certainly could apply many, if not all, of them in some way, shape or form to what happened to me, or for me, in my athletic career.

Bringing this conversation back full circle, what I find most interesting about Sykes’ list is the way he tactfully implies that the responsibility for one’s success lies within the individual themselves, the choices they make and the perception they take. Anyone reading through many of my blog posts on youth sports will surely notice the same underlying theme.

From my vantage point as a teacher, former coach, and parent of athletes who have grown up through the current youth sports environment, I see the same type of issues with too many adolescents and athletes in high school.

It is becoming much more difficult to find young athletes today who have the fortitude and perseverance to take personal responsibility themselves for achieving what they want, have the perspective it takes to do so, and make the types of choices necessary to accomplish personal and team goals that are set.

And I find the relationship between what Sykes implies and what I am discussing in youth sports to be something worth pondering.

With that purpose in mind, I would like to create several questions that promote thought on the topic I have presented. Hopefully, they will initiate good discussion on that list of things that kids won’t learn in school and their possible relationship to youth sports.

Questions to ponder:

1. What relationship, if any, do you see between Sykes’ list and youth sports?

2. Is this list something that is “all” age-encompassing, gradual in nature...so as to encompass age-appropriate application, or is it simply not applicable to youth sports in any form?

3. Are there other implied meanings within that have relevance to the environment our young athletes are growing up in today? (I have a few more)

4. Are there specific rules on this list that seem to have a more direct relationship to youth sports? Others that don’t apply at all?

5. Do any of these have personal connection for you, something that you emphasized as a parent and maybe hoped your kids might learn through their participation in sports?

6. Anything else you might want to add to the conversation?

Your thoughts and discussion are welcome and encouraged. Please elaborate and give examples whenever possible. It will help with continued discussion and create better clarity.

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