Children or Competitors?

As the youth football season heads into the playoffs, we see an increase in the pressure put on children to WIN. While some competition can be healthy, there are definite side effects from putting children into the pressure cooker too young. Besides the obvious physical stresses of the game, we have parents and coaches putting extra stress on the kids to "win it all". Should there even be a playoff for children under 12?

Competing and losing do teach some life lessons, but only if the child is at an appropriate age to digest the lesson. With the main goal of youth sports being participation and sportsmanship, playoffs bring another dimension. The extra emphasis on "win or go home" can't be ignored.

Watch the reaction of parents and coaches: then ask who the playoffs are really for. As kids mature, they can handle tougher competition. Introduce it too soon and they are unable to learn the lessons it can teach. How sad........