"Recruiting Practices in Youth
Sports:
Who's Winning?"
by
Dr. Daniel Frankl
Associate Professor
The Department of Kinesiology and Nutritional Science
California State University, Los Angeles
DISCUSSION
1) What procedures other than those
discussed above exist that may be used to facilitate a child centered
environment in youth sports?
a.condition the parents about practice schedules ,rules
of the game,and sideline protocol(especially) about referees.Are
we developing character in the child or are we developing a character?
2) Are you aware of recruiting and/or
team-building practices in your local youth sport league? How are
the rules broken and what is done to control such behaviors?
As a coach at a local school, I really have seen it all.I ve coached
football and baseball at the JHS and HS for 31 years.In my early
years I saw non-public schools scout the our Junior HS Teams-They
saw that several had potential at there private schools-and off
they went.This went on for several years as these private schools
were being investigated by the state association,little was done.As
for baseball the REC. leagues provided a great outlet for summer
ball,this was not enough.Over the years,elite teams were created-and
of course,they were recruited and the incentive for the player was
they could practice out of season with as many coaches or players
that they wanted to.These coaches set up special clinics and hired
only the best pro and college coaches.The parents of course liked
this because it gave them the best chances of moving up in the ranks
later.These players,at times,could not go out for the school teams
because the rule will not allow them to be on two teams at the same
time.The Elite coaches see that the public system could not offer,games
rewards,incentives-they were playing 60 to 100 games a season while
we are limited by rules by the state.This went on in Girls and boys
sports at all levels.Some of these sports are almost void of experienced
players now that the ELITE teams swag their money to the player.Also
many students are not even playing summer ball because of the lack
of time or interest because the Elite players rarely play in these
MINOR leagues.
3) Should league administrators
organize pre-season tournaments after which team roster readjustments
would take place? How would you suggest implementing such procedures?
In case your answer is "no," explain your reasons.
The better Elite teams usually have there own agenda.They
play outside the league and are deemed to play only other Elite
teams-they also play state to state......and in our area.....Canada
for Hockey.It would wise to level the teams in the league.Do you
really need another tournament-How about we play the schedule and
be done.Could you have ties.Why not?
4) Should volunteer coaches be allowed
to keep last year's dominating champions or should the talent be
redistributed at the onset of each season? Explain your view.
The Volunteer coaches are VERY important to all the players
in all the leagues.They should be required by The REC.Dept to take
some classes about How to deal with sprtsmansship.keeping as many
players in the games,Do not worry about wins and losses like the
ELITE teams.AYSO Soccer does a very good job to monitor problems.We
need strong leaders and better role models in all sprts to let kids
have a positive experience.Parents are so hard pressed to pay for
college tuition,they will go to some extremes to develop an avenue
for their own.Most parents -coaches of these ELITE teams are not
realistic about the long term goals of the players also realize
that our nation, depends alot on volunteer coaches.Special rules
about the number of games,accepting gifts,modified play for age
appropriate sprts and rules of the sports ,should be the emphasis.Remember
the children,or young adults need time between seasons.They need
a chance to remove the stress that some elite leagues and teams
bring.parents need to give their children time with each other-not
be a bus service for one activity after the other.Slow down alittle.Life
is too short to speed thru wondering ten years from now about that
neglected injury because-YOU had to play and needed the rest.
1) What procedures other than those discussed
above exist that may be used to facilitate a child centered environment
in youth sports?
2) Are you aware of recruiting and/or team-building
practices in your local youth sport league? How are the rules
broken and what is done to control such behaviors?
3) Should league administrators organize pre-season
tournaments after which team roster readjustments would take place?
How would you suggest implementing such procedures? In case your
answer is "no," explain your reasons.
4) Should volunteer coaches be allowed to keep
last year's dominating champions or should the talent be redistributed
at the onset of each season? Explain your vie
How to participate with
the discussion ?
- just copy and paste the above questions into your
e-mail program and submit your answers to: guy.vandamme@skynet.be
- he collects your replies.
- The author reads your ideas/reactions and if needed
will add his feedback.
- This all - your reactions and feedback - will be
posted again onto the list.
February 2002 - Dr. Lee E. Brown will start with
a new article. .
Have a good discussion,
co-ordinator
Guy Van Damme