Running up the score

Every now and again we will hear a news story about some crazy lob-sided sports match up. In January 2011, a girls high school basketball team won by an astounding 105 points. It was a 108-3 victory for the Christian Heritage girls' basketball team of Riverdale, Utah over the West Ridge Academy of Jordan, Utah. Coach Rob McGill apologized but also claimed that playing softer and slower would have been an even bigger insult. Some people claim that sports has this "unwritten rule" when it comes to running up the score. Where does the line get drawn, and at what level? When does competitiveness get taken too far? When does sportsmanship factor in? Personally, I feel that at least at the College and Professional level, running up the score should not be an issue because of the level of eliteness. At the youth and high school levels, running-up the score should be something that is often not seen. These are the levels where there are different competition levels, and coaches and parents should be teaching sportsmanship and fundamentals. Nothing is more degrading to a young athletes self-esteem than being embarrassed by the opposition. Check out the Utah story here!


Also, check out this video from the Christian Heritage girls basketball blowout....
Pouring it On

Mistakes Sports Parents Make

Bill Cole, President of IMGCA, wrote about the 77 mistakes that parents make when raising kids to be athletic and competitive. He points out some traps that parents can fall into. He wants parents to be a positive influence on the sporting experiences of young children. Bill has been coaching and certifying coaches for many many years. He has dealt with and came into contact with parents whom make these mistakes. he is trying to help parents avoid simple mistakes when coaching his/her own children, as well as other children. Take a look at this list to avoid making these mistakes. Common Sport Parent Mistakes

Parental Violence in Youth Sports

"It's Just a Game" is a documentary that focuses on the growing epidemic of violence in youth sports. The trend is growing, more and more parents are taking youth sports way too seriously. The affect that this has on the youth of America is detrimental. Angry and aggressive parents can send the wrong message to youth about how to be competitive. Sometimes it appears as if youth athletes are more mature during sporting events and competitions than the parents that raise them. There needs to be a change in the way that parents act at sporting events. The swearing and violence is not good for the kids. In a society where kids are taught how to be good people, with values and morals, how do we allow parents to act in such a out-of-control manner? Youth sports is all about developing talents, focusing on fundamentals, sportsmanship, having fun, and making friends. However, those attributes seem to be lost among the violence and aggression that comes about as a result of the actions of parents and coaches.

Pressures on Young Athletes

The pressure to win among young athletes is causing kids to burn out sooner, develop bad habits, and undergo more frequent injuries. This video shows a news report from Ohio in which the focus is on the pressures young athletes face. A survey was conducted and the results obtained show the bigger picture on the pressures faced by young athletes. The survey involved over 1,000 high school athletes and 200 coaches. More than 40% of the athletes pressured them to play. More than 90% of coaches surveyed say that pressure on young athletes are causing more burn outs.  

Competitiveness in Sports

Demias Jimerson 

Back in September, in a town named Malvern, Arkansas, an 11 yr-old sensation, Demias Jimerson, was told that he could not score more than 3 touchdowns if they are winning by 14 points or more. This 11 yr old runs all over the competition, one game he scored 7 touchdowns. As a result, the principal enacted the "Madre Hill" rule, which limits the scoring of Jimerson to no more than 3 touchdowns when team is leading by at least 14 points. The principal supports her decisions by saying that it is detrimental to the development of other players. Basically, Jimerson takes the snap, runs around, and scores every play he has the ball. Her justification claims that other players are not getting the development of skills from this situation.Do you feel that this ruling is right? Why or why not? Should they just move Jimerson up to the Jr. High level (the rule only exists for 5th and 6th grades)? Here is the article, with a news clip about the situation.....
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/09/29/11-year-old-football-star-told-not-to-score-too-many-touchdowns/

Youth Sports

Youth sports is becoming more and more popular both across the US and world. Parents and coaches are pushing their children harder and harder to become elite athletes in his/her respective sports. We have all seen video footage and news stories about parents getting out of control at youth sporting events. What affect does this have on the child? Are parents and coaches "stealing" the youth out of children? How should such situations be handled?

Here is a clip of several different on-field encounters between coaches, parents, and young athletes. One clip shows a brawl occurring over differences about an umpire's ruling. 

It is the job of coaches and parents to prepare children in all aspects of their lives. Examples like the ones in the clips are sending the wrong message to children as to how people should act and handle certain situations. One clip that will be posted at the end shows two youth football teams being banned from postseason play because of parents involvement with brawl. The kids are the ones who suffer after all that hard-work, not to mention their love for the game. Are we not supposed to teach the youth how to be model citizens? How to respect one another? How to walk away from encounters, such as the ones that occurred?


Youth sports is all about developing a young athlete by both enhancing his/her athletic skills and building character. When coaches and parents act out of control and take the game too seriously, they are sending the wrong image to children. Not only that, but kids are even getting abused by coaches and parents. Take this article, for example, a 10 yr old drops a pass and suffers a broken arm at the hands of his own coach.


   In the article, Fred Engh, president of the National Alliance of Youth sports, expresses his concern and desire to push for mandatory training for parents and volunteers who wish to coach. Should this become a national thing, or should individual states and/or leagues decide on this issue? http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95678&page=1 





I feel that there should be a nation-wide, mandatory training for any individual who wishes to coach youth sports. This training should be completed every 3-4 years. We need to have coaches that we can trust to teach kids the game, and how to act as righteous, respectful human beings.


Here are some more clips of parents, coaches, and aggression at youth sporting events.....