Reader,
In a recent LinkedIn post, PDP contributor and Co-founder of Myfastestmile, Mark Upton shared this quote from an article from the USA.
“That word – ‘elite’ – has become a marketing crutch, if not an all-out lie, in sports. This is especially true in youth sports, where the sale of nearly everything these days seems to lean on some kind of elite status.”
Elitism and status culture in youth football (and sport) is rife globally. The cost of sport continues to rise, and clubs around the world sell a dream of “academies”, careers and high performance in youth sport.
This narrative frustrates me and takes away from what youth football is really about – the players and their experience. Whether it’s parents wanting their child to be the next superstar, or whether it’s clubs and private providers competing for dollars, we need to reflect on what’s most important in player development settings.
I was recently presenting to a group of players I am working with and reminded them about the importance of joy. It’s all too easy to get all too serious about the game too often when we’re in the grind of the season. I know I (still) find myself doing it after 22 years of coaching. I have to check myself to remember that football is a game, and a game is to be played.
The kids we work with will reflect the behaviours that we model. So, by prioritising joy in your training context, perhaps we can get back to the focus of what the game is about – maximum enjoyment, connection, challenge, friendship, fun, learning and any number of other adjectives that should describe the youth football experience.
Two things to consider.
- Are we measuring the stuff that matters? We’re always looking for performance gains, or improvement in our players, but some of the most important elements of a child’s experience in sport might not be reflected in data.
- Don’t be a “deficit detective”. Coach from the positive and look for what’s right.
One thing for you to try this week.
Reflect on your coaching approach. If you need to, take your foot off the gas and let them play. It might be worth observing the social outcomes that emerge when joy and play are at the forefront of the session plan.
One critical resource on the topic.
Check out this incredible Masterclass Discussion from Clinical Psychologist, Professor Stephen Rollnick on coach communication and how you can change the way you interact with your players.
