In the United States, 70% of kids are dropping out of youth sports by 13 years old, and the dropout rate is even higher for girls. Not surprisingly, many parents, educators, and coaches are concerned by this trend.
The physical benefits of engaging in sport are clear. But we also know the emotional benefits of building a network of like-minded peers through sport. Ultimately, if kids are dropping out of youth sports at a young age, they miss out on these avenues for camaraderie and community-building during their teens and into adulthood.
It’s easy to dismiss this trend as a reflection of “kids these days” or a characteristic of “the digital generation” where kids may choose video games over sports, but it’s not so simple.
Kids Want To Be Creative in Youth Sports
As an article on USA Today High School Sports explains, kids are actually turning to video games for reasons that could still be satisfied by sport. USA Today HSS notes that kids say they enjoy video games for their “action, freedom to make mistakes without fear of backlash, socialization with friends, control over their own activity.” Opportunities for creativity or the freedom to make mistakes without fear of backlash should be abound in youth sports.
Late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, listed similar goals for his ideal version of youth sports, saying “at an early age, it’s important for kids to have freedom and flexibility to create and imagine, and for the game to be fun while teaching fundamentals…”. Naturally, the freedom and flexibility to create and imagine are going to come with lots of mistakes and subsequent attempts to succeed.
So, if the pros know that sports should be creative and experimental, and kids desire it, why aren’t organized youth sports meeting these needs?
The Adultification of Youth Sports
In the short film, The Cost of Winning, Jason Devos, Director of Development for Canada Soccer, explains that many people are putting an adult model of competitive sports on top of youth sports. Devos calls this the “adultification” of youth sports, saying, “The adultification of sports has left out who it’s supposed to serve — those young men and women.”
Of course, youth sports haven’t arrived at this point of adultication on purpose. Parents, coaches, educators, and volunteers spend countless hours trying to genuinely benefit their youth. And while many have succeeded, many more may be unintentionally pushing youth out of sport, according to the 70% dropout rate uncovered in the United States.
If we’re now looking to perform a course-correction, the best source for how to create a positive sports environment will be the youth we intend to serve.
What do kids want out of Sport?
According to a 2014 George Washington University Study, 9 out of 10 kids list “having fun” as their number one priority in sports. When asked to create a list about what makes sport fun, “winning” appeared in 48th place, on an 81-point list.
In contrast, these are the top 10 things that make sports fun, according to kids:
- Trying your best
- When coaches treat players with respect
- Getting playing time
- Playing well together as a team
- Getting along with your teammates
- Exercising and being active
- Working hard
- When a coach encourages the team
- Having a coach who’s a positive role model
- Playing well during a game
As a youth sports coaches, volunteers and administrators, it’s important to review this list and ensure we’re all doing our best to meet these desires.
It’s clear that kids want to play hard and be challenged in a positive way. They also want to be inspired by their coach and get along with their peers. Ultimately, they desire a positive sports environment.
Creating a Fun and Positive Sports Environment for Youth
There are many things we can do to create a positive sports environment. Of course, this not only includes coaches, officials, volunteers and peers, but parents too!
1)Adjusting the Mindset of Youth Sports Parents
We’ve written an in-depth article on how to be a good sports parent, but perhaps the greatest single thing parents can do is adjust their mind set. Licensed psychologist and professor Aubrey Fine explains, “It’s critical that parents see the big picture and realize that sports are just one window in a child’s life.” This means a parent’s behavior around sports should align with the positive and supportive view they have for all other aspects of their child’s life.
2)Creating open communication between coaches and athletes
Communication is key in any working relationship and that’s also true for coaches and athletes, too. When athletes feel comfortable communicating with coaches, coaches will better understand how athletes are motivated and what they want from sport. When these motivations are understood, it’s much easier for a coach to help an athlete perform at their best and have fun.
For more coaching tips, check out our coaching tips article.
3)Positive sports environments empower volunteers and administrators
As sports software developers, we’re passionate about empowering the hardworking volunteers and administrators that help make organized sport possible. When your club uses sports management software to streamline registration and administrative duties, it frees up time for volunteers and admins. This time can then be better-used to create a positive sports environment and support the quality of service offered at your sports club.
In fact, based on the feedback we consistently receive from sports clubs across the world, we believe sports management software is one of the best ways to grow your club.
4) Treat Working Hard & Fun as Inextricably Linked Values
In the study from George Washington University that we referenced above, there’s a clear pattern on kids valuing effort. Four of the Top 10 answers are derived from a kernel of effort; “Trying your best”, “Getting playing time”, “Exercising and being active”, and “Working hard”. Each of these things have effort at their core. Even something as vague as “getting playing time” suggests that kids don’t just want to socialize or be inspired by a coach. Instead, they want to get in on the action and perform!
However, the focus can’t just be effort, or hard work. This is the path of the professional athlete or “adultification” of sport.
Instead, there has to be a balanced relationship of fun and effort. And the answer to striking the perfect balance, lies within good communication with each child.
We are Continually Inspired by Youth Sports
Balancing fun and effort is a challenging task for each youth coach. Many coaches continually work to perfect this balance with each generation of new athletes. These coaching efforts always inspire us. It’s why we do what we do. When Uplifter’s club software can free up time for coaches and volunteers to focus on their craft, youth athletes reap the benefits.
Does your club focus on fun in a unique and inspiring way? How do you create a positive sports environment for youth?
We’d love to hear about it! Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
