Let’s get one thing straight from the start—we play to win. That’s the reason every kid laces up their cleats or skates, and it’s the reason we as coaches show up day in and day out. Winning is why we play the game, but there’s a problem brewing in youth sports that needs to be addressed. It’s not the pursuit of victory itself; it’s the obsession with winning records at the cost of player development that’s becoming toxic. And it’s killing the foundation of what sports should be teaching our kids.
Let’s talk about the programs most kids come through—“feeder” programs. These clubs are supposed to set kids up for success when they get to the big leagues, high school varsity, or beyond. They’re designed to mimic the offensive and defensive schemes of the top programs. The idea is that by the time a kid steps up to the next level, they’re already familiar with the system, and can hit the ground running.
But too many coaches today are focused on padding their win-loss columns instead of ensuring these kids are actually learning and growing. Coaching for the scoreboard has taken priority over coaching for the future. Development gets pushed to the back burner, and winning the next game takes center stage. And don’t get me wrong—this isn’t a call for handing out participation trophies. If you think I’m here to celebrate mediocrity, you might want to close this window and tune into a politics podcast instead. This is about striking a balance between teaching kids to win and making sure we’re preparing them for the long haul…