Young athletes are expected to be able to participate in a wholesome, form of competition while meeting people and acquiring valuable life skills through youth sports. However, it quickly escalates to something else, something awful.
Bear Bryant’s biography was successfully finished by me. Coach Bryant admits to paying players throughout his Hall of Fame teaching tenure as he had no choice because everybody else was paying college sports players at the time. USC was penalized in 2004 for player perks involving Reggie Bush. Performance-enhancing substances have cast a pall over the legacies of Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, and Roger Clemens. A few years ago, the World Champion New England Patriots were found cheating by recording competitor training, and the Denver Broncos were found recording competitor practices this season.
The New York Jets were also penalized in 2010 for a corner line episode involving a coach and many players trying to climb a competitor sliding down the Jets’ sidelines on a specific team play, and now a preparatory NFL report claims that the Jets’ Special Teams sideline performances could be used by other players in the plays.
Well, perhaps I reside in a Gomer Pyle world, and I’d like to think that everyone is nice and will do the correct thing, but I’m strongly doubting it. Because child sports are a representation of all sports, this win-at-all-costs mentality is alive and well today. This year, more than in previous years, I’ve overheard more complaints about age panel fraud than I’d want to admit.
This is not just cheating, but it is also a security concern and a potential legal problem if someone is badly injured during a match. When youth football organizations set age and weight limitations, they do so to safeguard our young athletes, not to allow trainers to take advantage of the system in order to win a youth championship game and trophy. If you really want a cup, go out and purchase one.
Coaches and trainers, each match or trophy you win and victory you achieve is a fraud if you deliberately cheat, particularly on roster age and weight limitations. You’re causing harm to yourselves, the sport, and your teammates. Coaches, you are frequently the only other male figure for your athletes, and you are regrettably training them to start growing up to be liars and cheaters rather than professional athletes. So, dear young coaches all across the world, do us a favor and stand above what everyone else is doing to succeed and do what is right for the game, yourselves, and the kids. They may still not win a Super Bowl, but they will be prepared to succeed in life.
When it concerns child sports, it is critical for players and teachers to understand that while victory is a wonderful feeling, it does not have to be the final objective. Regardless of how appealing it may be to violate the rules, succeeding the right way will always seem better in the long run, for both the kids and the grownups.
Remember to have fun while playing, and winning is even better!