That's the LAST thing the kids need.

 

That is just your opinion. And if a kid wants to go to college and play.... NVM, PP92 take over if you want.......

That is just your opinion. And if a kid wants to go to college and play.... NVM, PP92 take over if you want.......

 

Don't look at me. I have a kid on the Campbellsville roster who got there without any help from his AAU playing days. AAU isn't needed to play in college. IMO that is a myth. AAU makes it easier to be seen for some kids but AAU is not essential towards getting a kid to the next level.

So how is playing AAU/travel ball helping out the situation you mention? Kids don't want to be left behind either so they still play, work out, condition, etc in the Dead Period. The Deap Period doesn't do anything you mention except keep high school coaches away from their athletes for 2 weeks. Instead they get alone time with their AAU coaches/handlers/advisors/etc. I'd much rather have kids with their high school coaches and teammates than their AAU outfit.

 

AAU is a choice between the kids and their parents. If they want to do that, great. I know some kids (using basketball as an example) who would never leave the court if they didn't have to and have a basketball in their hands 24/7. AAU is a great option for them so they can stay busy playing the sport they love during the summer. Others, however, may relish the break, and/or mom and dad may want it for summer camps, summer vacations etc. and know little Johnny isn't missing required practices, conditioning, etc.

 

I have some parents tell me they are grateful I try to do stuff in the summer for the kids that want to. Keeps them busy, out of trouble, they would miss not being in the gym, etc. Others are in church camp, vacation, visiting grandma/grandpa out of state, etc. Those things are important, and in the realm of everything MORE important, than missing sports for 1 month.

Don't look at me. I have a kid on the Campbellsville roster who got there without any help from his AAU playing days. AAU isn't needed to play in college. IMO that is a myth. AAU makes it easier to be seen for some kids but AAU is not essential towards getting a kid to the next level.

Then we can agree to disagree

AAU is a choice between the kids and their parents. If they want to do that, great. I know some kids (using basketball as an example) who would never leave the court if they didn't have to and have a basketball in their hands 24/7. AAU is a great option for them so they can stay busy playing the sport they love during the summer. Others, however, may relish the break, and/or mom and dad may want it for summer camps, summer vacations etc. and know little Johnny isn't missing required practices, conditioning, etc.

 

I have some parents tell me they are grateful I try to do stuff in the summer for the kids that want to. Keeps them busy, out of trouble, they would miss not being in the gym, etc. Others are in church camp, vacation, visiting grandma/grandpa out of state, etc. Those things are important, and in the realm of everything MORE important, than missing sports for 1 month.

 

And with no dead period, why can't they still do that?

Those who are committed to the sport will do what's necessary, it takes sacrifices. Those who are playing the sport as an extracurricular will still take vacations.

 

Couldn't agree more. Dead period is a waste. Let the parents and players decide what they want to do, instead of this forced stoppage. Coaches can't even send out emails, texts, or use social media. That's going too far.

Only reason there is a dead period is so the KHSAA can get two weeks off in the summer.

Sure they can. Who's saying they can't?

 

Those who are committed to the sport will do what's necessary, it takes sacrifices. Those who are playing the sport as an extracurricular will still take vacations.

 

Wow, so anyone who takes a little down time during the SUMMER, away from the demands of HS sports/coaches is not fully committed and plays strickly as extracurricular?!?!?!

 

I am so glad you are not my child's sports medicine specialist/doctor who is in full support of a shut down period and monitors players for signs before overuse injuries occur. My children, who you refer to as not committed because we embrace the Dead Period, happen to be multi-sport HS athletes. I guarantee you their commitment level is more than just extracurricular. In fact, they realize if they want to pursue a higher level of play, say college, they need a period of down time for their bodies to REST and HEAL. The remainder of the year they are balancing 2-3 sports at a time, with commitment to HS teams in season coming first.

 

Comments like "not committed" and "toughen-up" (from another post) are exactly why the Dead Period should exist. Besides wanting year-round access, coaches are pushing today's teenage athletes to endure training and workouts which were designed for 25-year-olds, hence the KHSAA term "sometimes overzealous". It is not a toughness factor, it is physiological - the body of a growing teen (male or female) does not have the same design as that of an athlete in their 20's.

 

The Dead Period is not a waste of time, but it needs to be monitored and enforced by ADs, and possibly a modification by KHSAA of the bi-law which changes or edits the wording to eliminate "optionals" or "voluntary" practices run by players off-site (so coaches can't find a way around the 2-3 week shut down)!

^Again, without a dead period, all those things can still be done. By eliminating the dead period, it puts the choice into the hands of the parents/athletes.

^Again, without a dead period, all those things can still be done. By eliminating the dead period, it puts the choice into the hands of the parents/athletes.

 

How many of your kids took vacation during the dead period last year ? (and by kids, I mean your biological children)

My kid just missed the entire last week of June basketball with his high school team because of a family vacation scheduled in June. He won't be punished for it either.

 

I'd imagine most wouldn't be as long as they let the coach know ahead of time that they'd be missing things.

How many of your kids took vacation during the dead period last year ? (and by kids, I mean your biological children)

We always scheduled vacations around the dead period.

I'd imagine most wouldn't be as long as they let the coach know ahead of time that they'd be missing things.

 

I'd imagine that this depends strictly on the program...and, you may or may not know what discussions go on in the coaches office

The dead period is absolutely necessary, IMO. High school athletes shouldn't be expected to participate year-round. If they choose to do so with traveling or club teams, so be it. Kids/families shouldn't be punished because they want to enjoy a vacation together in the summer.

 

This.

My kid just missed the entire last week of June basketball with his high school team because of a family vacation scheduled in June. He won't be punished for it either.

 

That's not the case at all schools, thus the need for the dead period.