Then let's carry this logic out. Start having A teams in 1st grade. Kids getting cut can get a head start on learning life's tough lessons.

 

Where's the "smiley face"?

 

There has to be an age or grade that earning your minutes or your spot on the team matters. Clyde, what age is that in your opinion?

Where's the "smiley face"?

 

There has to be an age or grade that earning your minutes or your spot on the team matters. Clyde, what age is that in your opinion?

If you tried out for a team and made the team then you EARNED your spot and minutes. We place way too much emphasis on winning at the younger grades and , frankly, it's getting worse. As I said previously THE MOST IMPORTANT thing in middle school is development - not winning. Coaches with egos get in the way of development. We see it all of the time at this level. It's about THEM and sometimes their child.

 

Winning is a priority ONLY at the varsity level IMO. The rest is getting ready for varsity.

edit

Where's the "smiley face"?

 

There has to be an age or grade that earning your minutes or your spot on the team matters. Clyde, what age is that in your opinion?

 

If you tried out for a team and made the team then you EARNED your spot and minutes. We place way too much emphasis on winning at the younger grades and , frankly, it's getting worse. As I said previously THE MOST IMPORTANT thing in middle school is development - not winning. Coaches with egos get in the way of development. We see it all of the time at this level. It's about THEM and sometimes their child.

 

Winning is a priority ONLY at the varsity level IMO. The rest is getting ready for varsity.

Development MS-JV. Winning should be secondary at these levels.

Then let's carry this logic out. Start having A teams in 1st grade. Kids getting cut can get a head start on learning life's tough lessons.

 

That's foolish. Try using some logic rather than irrational nonsense. Your statement is as rational as allowing every child to go to Yale regardless of their academic history. I assume the point of the study is children aren't allowed to fail, WE give them everything without the struggle. Same reason that nearly every school system k-8 "promotes" students without the academic qualifications. The current average high school student reads on a 5th grade level. "Well if they fail and have to repeat then they might drop out". This attitude is killing our country...not just in athletics.

Where's the "smiley face"?

 

There has to be an age or grade that earning your minutes or your spot on the team matters. Clyde, what age is that in your opinion?

 

Didnt ask me, but Ill chime in.

 

For football, their 10th/11th grade year depending in the program you are at (unless we are talking about kids who are a legitimate liability to themselves or their teammatea)..after that, sorry Johnny. Now, Im not saying give them varsity minutes bc of this theory; hell no, but thats why you have freshmen and JV teams.

 

it goes without saying that other factors figure into their playing time at these levels. I'm just basing off of ability.

 

Basically, if they are still a 'tweener' kid at that age; and, he is doing everything to make himself and his team BETTER, find some minutes for him at those levels.

 

He might be a slow WR who struggles catching it, so what....split his happy *** out away from the play and never run the ball to his side. Or throw it to him when you have a comfortable lead.

That's foolish. Try using some logic rather than irrational nonsense. Your statement is as rational as allowing every child to go to Yale regardless of their academic history. I assume the point of the study is children aren't allowed to fail, WE give them everything without the struggle. Same reason that nearly every school system k-8 "promotes" students without the academic qualifications. The current average high school student reads on a 5th grade level. "Well if they fail and have to reoeat then they might drop out". This attitude is killing our country...not just in athletics.

 

See, you , like many, do not get the details.

 

Let's break down your argument:

 

First you say kids need to learn lessons ie life is tough. Why not first grade? Why? Because that's too young - exactly what my point is in regard to the "winning" mentality for middle school sports.

 

Next you try to come strong with a Yale reference. Problem is that I stated TWICE that if you EARNED your way onto the team then you should get some minutes. So your "regardless of the academic history" shows that details are a challenge for you.

 

You then try to equate kids "getting some minutes" in a game for a team they qualified for to kids who can't read. Come on now. I need some better logic.

One of my all time favorite quotes: Playing time is to be respected, not expected.

A mandate on playing time would result in coaches keeping fewer players on the team IMO.

I agree that an emphasis on winning is getting out of hand in youth leagues. However, at the middle school level making the team means you earn a spot, a jersey number, you EARNED the right to be on the team...but playing time shouldn't be equal by the time you are 11 or 12...those kids are old enough to start learning that hard work pays off. That you don't get a promotion...you EARN it! Nothing wrong with that. If it hurts their selfesteem, that's ok...they will get over it and be better for it.

See, you , like many, do not get the details.

 

Let's break down your argument:

 

First you say kids need to learn lessons ie life is tough. Why not first grade? Why? Because that's too young - exactly what my point is in regard to the "winning" mentality for middle school sports.

 

Next you try to come strong with a Yale reference. Problem is that I stated TWICE that if you EARNED your way onto the team then you should get some minutes. So your "regardless of the academic history" shows that details are a challenge for you.

 

You then try to equate kids "getting some minutes" in a game for a team they qualified for to kids who can't read. Come on now. I need some better logic.

 

I agree, you need some better logic. We both see that one the same! Facts are facts Clyde, kids need to be allowed to fail. EARNING a spot does not equal EARNING minutes in middle school. MS students are entitled to being apart of the team...nothing more. Never said a thing about elementary kids...c'mon, need some better logic my friend

I agree that an emphasis on winning is getting out of hand in youth leagues. However, at the middle school level making the team means you earn a spot, a jersey number, you EARNED the right to be on the team...but playing time shouldn't be equal by the time you are 11 or 12...those kids are old enough to start learning that hard work pays off. That you don't get a promotion...you EARN it! Nothing wrong with that. If it hurts their selfesteem, that's ok...they will get over it and be better for it.

 

Someone help me out. Are my posts in Chinese? That must be why DH78 can't follow along.

 

Where did I say anything (or anyone in this thread) say that players should get equal playing time? Keep up or stand on the sidelines, chief.

Except for your cursory shot at the football playoffs :lol2:, I agree with this 100%

I was thinking the same thing and how ironic that RCC is against letting all the players play and he tosses his dig in against football playoffs as if it is the in the same boat yet he ignores his softball where EVERY TEAM gets in the playoffs.

Someone help me out. Are my posts in Chinese? That must be why DH78 can't follow along.

 

Where did I say anything (or anyone in this thread) say that players should get equal playing time? Keep up or stand on the sidelines, chief.

 

Not Chinese...I guess if someone challenges YOUR thought they must not be as intelligent? Nice! My IQ indicates otherwise. You have YET to support anything you say with anything factual. I guess I missed the contract you signed with your coach that said you get playing time because you made the team???? C'mon champ, stay with me here.

 

There is always the kid who is the last kid to make the team (I will break this down further). If there are 17 jersey numbers, the coach will keep 17 kids and cut the rest. The kid whom coach ranks #1 and #17 have both EARNED a spot. A position on the team. Stay with me, it get's tough for you here. #17 (the kid with the least amount of ability or skill) IS NOT AFFORDED ANY PROMISE THAT HE WILL PLAY A SINGLE MINUTE. He hasn't EARNED that part of it. As a coach you hope they all get in every game, but no promises.

 

My whole point (which was way over your head) is how we allow kids regardless of age, to be successful by our deeds, not their own. Kids need to be allowed to fail, to not be good enough at that time. Because eventually...they will learn to overcome.