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To win or to develop?
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
PAUL REID
Thursday, April 28, 2011
DURING the half-time break at the recent launch of the ISSA/Western Conference Under-14 boys' basketball league at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, officials and coaches of Cornwall College and Muschett High debated the rules.
The rules of the Under-14 competition are taken from the Minor League. Under that system all teams should have 12 players, but no player should play three straight quarters and all 12 players must take part in the game once they are named on the list. Additionally there can be no substitution, outside of an injury, during the first or second quarters. Teams can, however, make changes between the first and second quarters and through the third and fourth.
There appeared to be some confusion among the officials and coaches as they sought to interpret the rules with some sugesting they were contradictory.
The coaches and officials appeared to be thinking along the lines of how best to win while it was obvious that the rules were put in with a view to the development of all the players on the team.
It means that coaches must use all the players they have on the team, no matter how good or bad they are and bad coaches who can only see wins at the end of the day as a good result are prevented from overusing the youngsters.
It was obvious that the Muschett coach was not aware of the rules. Muschett dominated the first half, outscoring Cornwall 23-10, but they had used their best players who then had to sit out the entire third quarter. They were outscored 25-4 in the second half.
In most developed countries or in situations where the welfare of the young athletes are put ahead of everything else, such rules are not just established but also strictly enforced.
The thinking is that at that age group, the emphasis must be about the children learning and enjoying the sport and not necessarily about winning at all cost.
Maybe it is time that all our national sporting bodies make sure such rules are enforced for all competitions played by youngsters under 14 years old.
Too often we see abuses where the better players get to start and play the majority of the games all season long, be it football, cricket or netball while those not yet as developed are kept on the bench.
Years ago I asked the organisers of the St James FA VMBS Under-13 competition if they had thought of putting in such a rule but got some vague non-committal response.
In too many instances, winning at this level is promoted way above actual teaching of the game and ensuring that children are enjoying themselves.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...#ixzz1L0mtuwn5
ON THE SPORTING EDGE
PAUL REID
Thursday, April 28, 2011
DURING the half-time break at the recent launch of the ISSA/Western Conference Under-14 boys' basketball league at the Montego Bay Cricket Club, officials and coaches of Cornwall College and Muschett High debated the rules.
The rules of the Under-14 competition are taken from the Minor League. Under that system all teams should have 12 players, but no player should play three straight quarters and all 12 players must take part in the game once they are named on the list. Additionally there can be no substitution, outside of an injury, during the first or second quarters. Teams can, however, make changes between the first and second quarters and through the third and fourth.
There appeared to be some confusion among the officials and coaches as they sought to interpret the rules with some sugesting they were contradictory.
The coaches and officials appeared to be thinking along the lines of how best to win while it was obvious that the rules were put in with a view to the development of all the players on the team.
It means that coaches must use all the players they have on the team, no matter how good or bad they are and bad coaches who can only see wins at the end of the day as a good result are prevented from overusing the youngsters.
It was obvious that the Muschett coach was not aware of the rules. Muschett dominated the first half, outscoring Cornwall 23-10, but they had used their best players who then had to sit out the entire third quarter. They were outscored 25-4 in the second half.
In most developed countries or in situations where the welfare of the young athletes are put ahead of everything else, such rules are not just established but also strictly enforced.
The thinking is that at that age group, the emphasis must be about the children learning and enjoying the sport and not necessarily about winning at all cost.
Maybe it is time that all our national sporting bodies make sure such rules are enforced for all competitions played by youngsters under 14 years old.
Too often we see abuses where the better players get to start and play the majority of the games all season long, be it football, cricket or netball while those not yet as developed are kept on the bench.
Years ago I asked the organisers of the St James FA VMBS Under-13 competition if they had thought of putting in such a rule but got some vague non-committal response.
In too many instances, winning at this level is promoted way above actual teaching of the game and ensuring that children are enjoying themselves.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/weste...#ixzz1L0mtuwn5
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