I'm sure the topic has been debated to death and it will continue to be debated to death but I am new here and eager to discuss it. And as for raising the kids as winners, at least 0-10 teams can say they made the playoffs and had a chance to win. Regardless of how much better their opponent is, they still have a chance to pull a massive upset in the first round regardless!

 

No they don't. They will lose and lose badly. 10 weeks of beat downs is too much mentally to overcome. In addition, the last thing these kids and coaches want to do is go play another game. Turn in your equipment and get into the weight room so you don't get your tail kicked next season.

Edited May 6, 201412 yr by Builder1214

For one thing, a team with an 0-10 record doesn't deserve an opportunity in the playoffs. The grind is about showing success throughout the season, not just the playoffs. That playoff system would be horribly unorganized and what would it prove if for example a team like Desales beat Trimble County 65-0? That's not only demeaning to the kids but a complete waste of time.

Ive seen Indiana's system and while every system is flawed, their system is exciting. Play who you want for 8 games allows you to not concern yourself with traveling to a "district" game for a 5 hour round trip affair and build local rivals...BUT...the one thing that is a lot of fun is the blind draw. They televise it and it gets GREAT ratings. Creates an NCAA basketball type of feeling. Imagine, you and your team gathered around the TV at school, waiting for the draw and who you will play. I dont know...just seems like it would be a lot of fun!

Kids should have to actually earn things. It is this kind of T-ball mentality that is leading to downfall of our society. Just showing up for an interview, doesn't mean you will get a job. What life lesson would be taught by allowing all teams regardless of record into the playoffs?

 

While I'm not a big fan of everyone making the playoff's (mainly because it lengthens the season and does nothing to improve play), I think the whole argument about this ruining society is a little overboard. It's been going on for years. Even when I was a little kid in the 70's everyone got a participation certificate at the end of the season, and a snow cone after a game. And there were mandatory playing time rules. School's have been giving varsity letters to seniors who never play a snap since the dawn of high school sports. Even the kid who graduates dead last in his class gets his name announced and a diploma. Heck companies give you awards just for showing up every day for a few years. While there are lessons to be learned in sports (hard work, teamwork, dedication, developing confidence and leadership skills, etc), I don't think any kids life or future is in peril because he/she gets to play in an extra football game at the end of the year, or gets a few extra trophies. It doesn't make you soft, or weak, or even entitled. Kids (especially high school kids) understand that if you go 0-10, making the playoffs isn't necessarily a reward, and it certainly isn't going to change anyone's life. But, when you're talking about little kids, these simple, cheap awards may be enough to keep the marginal kid involved in the sport, and physically active. Sports are great, and I can't imagine my life without them, and yes, I believe they helped me become who I am today. But, in the end, they are still just a game. And participating and trying does mean something. And giving a team an extra game (or a juice box or a trophy) isn't going to lead to the complete downfall of society.

While I'm not a big fan of everyone making the playoff's (mainly because it lengthens the season and does nothing to improve play), I think the whole argument about this ruining society is a little overboard. It's been going on for years. Even when I was a little kid in the 70's everyone got a participation certificate at the end of the season, and a snow cone after a game. And there were mandatory playing time rules. School's have been giving varsity letters to seniors who never play a snap since the dawn of high school sports. Even the kid who graduates dead last in his class gets his name announced and a diploma. Heck companies give you awards just for showing up every day for a few years. While there are lessons to be learned in sports (hard work, teamwork, dedication, developing confidence and leadership skills, etc), I don't think any kids life or future is in peril because he/she gets to play in an extra football game at the end of the year, or gets a few extra trophies. It doesn't make you soft, or weak, or even entitled. Kids (especially high school kids) understand that if you go 0-10, making the playoffs isn't necessarily a reward, and it certainly isn't going to change anyone's life. But, when you're talking about little kids, these simple, cheap awards may be enough to keep the marginal kid involved in the sport, and physically active. Sports are great, and I can't imagine my life without them, and yes, I believe they helped me become who I am today. But, in the end, they are still just a game. And participating and trying does mean something. And giving a team an extra game (or a juice box or a trophy) isn't going to lead to the complete downfall of society.

 

Yup...agree with many points. Society's downfall has more to do with parents and their acceptance of their kids behavior far more than sports. I see parents who are best friends with their little Johnny...I wasnt "friends" with my dad (nothing wrong with loving the old man, but "buddies" we were not! LOL), I had a healthy fear of what would happen if I back talked my Mom, teacher, coach, neighbor...etc and the good Lord knows he never took my side when a phone call came home about my behavior. Sports, if anything, teaches the opposite. Regardless of how many games you play. With that, an 0-10 will not win a first round game...just ain't gonna happen. This ain't Hollywood and these aren't actors. 0-10=0-11. Simple math. I do think though, the extra week is a good opportunity for the coaches and players to do some fun stuff and make a tough season finish with some good memories and start building on the off-season, because there is no pressure for them to go win and they all know the outcome. Just my 2 cents.

While I'm not a big fan of everyone making the playoff's (mainly because it lengthens the season and does nothing to improve play), I think the whole argument about this ruining society is a little overboard. It's been going on for years. Even when I was a little kid in the 70's everyone got a participation certificate at the end of the season, and a snow cone after a game. And there were mandatory playing time rules. School's have been giving varsity letters to seniors who never play a snap since the dawn of high school sports. Even the kid who graduates dead last in his class gets his name announced and a diploma. Heck companies give you awards just for showing up every day for a few years. While there are lessons to be learned in sports (hard work, teamwork, dedication, developing confidence and leadership skills, etc), I don't think any kids life or future is in peril because he/she gets to play in an extra football game at the end of the year, or gets a few extra trophies. It doesn't make you soft, or weak, or even entitled. Kids (especially high school kids) understand that if you go 0-10, making the playoffs isn't necessarily a reward, and it certainly isn't going to change anyone's life. But, when you're talking about little kids, these simple, cheap awards may be enough to keep the marginal kid involved in the sport, and physically active. Sports are great, and I can't imagine my life without them, and yes, I believe they helped me become who I am today. But, in the end, they are still just a game. And participating and trying does mean something. And giving a team an extra game (or a juice box or a trophy) isn't going to lead to the complete downfall of society.

 

I agree with little kids getting trophies, awards, juice boxes and popsicles, so long as there is a clear winner and a clear loser in the game. If it keeps them interested, then give them all the popsicles and ice cream possible. At the end of the day, failure teaches people more than success does. I have learned way more from my failures in life than my successes. If I was a player and my team didn't make the playoffs, our goal for the next year would be to make the playoffs and would do whatever we needed to do to make that happen. My take on society is much deeper than making the playoffs. It is about rewarding people for doing nothing. Playoffs should be a reward, just like pay checks.

I don't know why some are so against the current set up with football?They get on here and bash it and never say a thing about baseball or basketball.Every team in the state makes post season play in those sports and everybody's fine with it,and guess what you can lose your district championship game and still andvance.No body says a thang about lope side scores or travel in those sports,just football!!The problem with football in KY is you go from good teams(very few)to bad teams(a lot )

I don't know why some are so against the current set up with football?They get on here and bash it and never say a thing about baseball or basketball.Every team in the state makes post season play in those sports and everybody's fine with it,and guess what you can lose your district championship game and still andvance.No body says a thang about lope side scores or travel in those sports,just football!!The problem with football in KY is you go from good teams(very few)to bad teams(a lot )

 

In basketball, even a bad team can beat a superior team (although rarely) with a really great game plan. In football, a weaker team can't hold the ball.

I'm sure the topic has been debated to death and it will continue to be debated to death but I am new here and eager to discuss it. And as for raising the kids as winners, at least 0-10 teams can say they made the playoffs and had a chance to win. Regardless of how much better their opponent is, they still have a chance to pull a massive upset in the first round regardless!

 

So you are in favor of rewarding youth for poor performance? How do you justify to a team that puts in the work to go 10-0 that a team who was lazy in the off season gets the same reward (playoffs) that they do? When do you stop rewarding them for sub-par results?

Um, when they get beat. Eliminated. Not able to advance.

So you are in favor of rewarding youth for poor performance? How do you justify to a team that puts in the work to go 10-0 that a team who was lazy in the off season gets the same reward (playoffs) that they do? When do you stop rewarding them for sub-par results?

 

In my 6 team districts, the bottom two drop out. Top teams are fighting for seeding while the bottom four may be fighting to be included. An 0-10 team would be heading to conditioning/lifting in my scenario

I would love it if every district had a minimum of 6 teams. 5 classes would probably give us that.

I have to ask...Does anyone actually look at make the playoffs (post season) as a reward or accomplishment in any sport in Kentucky? Even in college (expanded Bowls, 3 post season BBall Tourneys and Conference tourneys), Pro (Expanded playoffs in every pro sport) have diluted what it means anymore.

 

People talk about having to EARN your spot in the post season because that's how it was in my day. Well 30 years ago 1 football team per district made the playoffs, then it went to 2 then to 4 which just about covers every team...but does leave a few teams out.

 

I'm sorry if it was tougher back in "Your Day" to make the HS Football Playoffs but back then 2 teams (5 now) in each league made the MLB playoffs, 5 teams (6 now) per league made the NFL playoffs and 6 teams (8 now) per conference made the NBA playoffs. Expanded playoffs in ALL sports including HS seem to have more to do with the expansion of sports everywhere more so than trying to give everyone a trophy as many keep complaining about.

 

Getting in isn't earning anything, WINNING once you get there is EARNING something for your hard work and dedication.

I'd love 6 team districts with the top 4 moving on!!!

I would love it if every district had a minimum of 6 teams. 5 classes would probably give us that.

 

Five balanced classes would be 44 teams per. That would be 5.5 teams per district, if all were balanced. But whether you had five or six teams in a district, you at least would have to win a district game to make the playoffs, unlike now in four-team districts.