Let's Put the Play Back in Player

A growing trend has been moving towards more structured and specialized youth sports programs. This trend has been driven in part by a desire to help young athletes develop their skills and abilities to a high level, with the goal of achieving success at the highest levels of competition. But, this laser focus on structure and specialization has seemingly come at a severe cost – the cost of play.

Many experts argue that the rise of adult-organized, year-round training programs has led to a decline in the amount of free play and unstructured activity that young athletes engage in. This shift has had a number of negative consequences. And this is reflected in the youth sports dropout rate that shows 70% of kids in competitive sports quit by the age of 13. Why? Because they’re not having fun. With so much structure and adult intervention, there’s not much room for play.

The energy of spontaneous play amongst kids at a local park is often characterized by a sense of freedom, joy, and creativity.

Kids are allowed to explore, experiment, and take risks without the pressure of winning or the fear of making mistakes. They are free to create their own rules and come up with their own strategies. This type of play encourages physical activity, socialization, and imagination, and can be highly beneficial for children’s athletic development and overall growth.

On the other hand, the energy at a competitive, high-level practice is often characterized by a sense of pressure, intensity, and performance. The focus is on winning, improving skills, and adhering to strict rules and structures. This type of practice can be highly beneficial for developing specific skills and improving performance, but it may also come at a certain price.

When adult-organized, year-round, and specialized training completely replaces spontaneous play, children may lose the opportunity to develop their own creativity and decision-making skills. They may also become overly focused on winning, and as a result, may experience burnout or a loss of enjoyment in the sport.

It’s important to find a balance between structured training environments and free play.

Structured training can help children develop specific skills and prepare for competition, but it should be balanced with opportunities for spontaneous play, where kids can explore and experiment in a less structured and pressure-filled environment. This balance can help promote a player’s overall development and facilitate a real love for their sport.

To start, we must really understand the value of play. Understanding the importance of play can empower us to implement real strategies, not one-off tactics, that put person-development at the center. Play is not just about having fun, play is about providing children with opportunities to learn, explore, and develop important life skills. By finding this balance, we can ensure that youth sports programs provide a positive and fulfilling experience for young athletes, so they can become just as good of people as they are players.

With play as our compass, we can navigate toward a new horizon, where growth, creativity, and holistic development are the hallmarks of youth sports programs.