Who's game is it?
Who's game is it? ... Competing at the Entry Levelby Martha Marpole - Alberta Alpine Club Development / Entry Level Coordinator - CSCF Performance Level 3 - CSIA Level 3 - Park & Pipe
Ahead of you, in helmets adorned with stickers and autographs, their sinewy athleticism cannot be contained. You watch as one pair of ski tips slides forward, only to be outdone by another pair, and an unspoken challenge unfolds. Back and forth, both contenders push themselves to an invisible finish line.
"Back off kid!" warns the man ahead of the dueling duo. "You’re scratching my skis!" But this gruff warning does not discourage the competitors, as they rush to be the first to sit down on the chairlift. Laughter ensues.
If this sounds familiar, then you must have spent time in a lift line with young ski racers. This type of behaviour is a reality for coaches working with Entry Level athletes. With so many options available for youth to commit their energies, why is it that they find themselves having so much fun nudging one another in a lift line?
According to research, the reasons why children participate in sport are:
to have fun and to enjoy participation in sport.
to learn new skills and to improve existing sport skills.
to become physically fit and to enjoy good health.
to enjoy a team atmosphere and to be with friends
to enjoy the challenge and excitement of sports participation and competition.
The final motive, listed above, brings to light the importance of competition in Entry Level sport from the perspective of the children involved. The element of competition is a concept that is so commonly used and misused, forced and avoided, all within the context of Entry Level sport. How can we, as coaches, ensure that we make the most of the competitive spirit growing within so many of the young athletes with whom we work? If all children were naturally blessed with self-confidence, goal perspective and intrinsic motivation, coaches could rely solely on providing an environment in which to train and compete. Coaches could stand off to the side of the hill, drink coffee, find the "optimum tanning angle" and side slip the course from time to time. Every child would have fun, feel good about them selves and try their best…but this is not the reality.
Fortunately, we can learn from effective Entry Level ski coaches who have discovered that in order to encourage a balanced competitive environment de-emphasizing winning is key. Through experience, they have developed respect for their athletes and accept that anxiety, self-doubt and the fear of disappointing others are all negative factors that can eclipse the number one reason why children participate in sport … having fun.
How can we keep "fun" and "competition" from becoming adversaries within the realm of alpine ski racing? Consider the following thoughts and reflect upon your own approach as a coach to Entry Level competition:
"Children want and need positive experiences in sport. They want to play, not watch others play; they want to achieve their own goals, not adult goals; they want less emphasis on winning and more freedom to have fun. Unfortunately, what children want from sport is often overshadowed by what some adults have done to children’s sport."(Orlick and Zitzelsberger, 1996, p. 330.)
As a coach, wanting the best for your team of athletes is natural. If you are able to provide a safe environment and responsibly manage competitive activities that motivate and challenge your athletes on a regular basis, the likelihood for long-term successes will increase. The Husky Snow Stars program has been revamped for this season and it is filled with innovative ideas and challenges to infuse into your daily Entry Level plans. For instance, "Skill Duals" is contained in each level.
"Skill duals should be used in every training day. They are fun and a productive way to incorporate competitive elements of skiing.”
Teach a drill in free skiing until the skiers become proficient.With brushes or foamies, set a quick, rhythmical dual course on easy terrain involving at least 15 direction changes.Have the skiers race each other while performing the drill in the course. Encourage the skiers based on their speed, and quality of performance."
"Scrimmaging" in most sports is what kids look forward to during their training time.
We are fortunate in ski racing to have so many variables to draw from that will support athletic development. Rremember to reward your athletes with the opportunity to challenge themselves in a scrimmage setting, every day that they are on snow.
It would seem that many of the answers to finding an optimal competitive balance lie within your young athletes, so listen to what they say, and observe each child as if they were your own. After all, if kids can find fun, challenge, and excitement as they get on the chairlift, imagine what they can do when they actually make a few turns.
Ahead of you, in helmets adorned with stickers and autographs, their sinewy athleticism cannot be contained. You watch as one pair of ski tips slides forward, only to be outdone by another pair, and an unspoken challenge unfolds. Back and forth, both contenders push themselves to an invisible finish line.
"Back off kid!" warns the man ahead of the dueling duo. "You’re scratching my skis!" But this gruff warning does not discourage the competitors, as they rush to be the first to sit down on the chairlift. Laughter ensues.
If this sounds familiar, then you must have spent time in a lift line with young ski racers. This type of behaviour is a reality for coaches working with Entry Level athletes. With so many options available for youth to commit their energies, why is it that they find themselves having so much fun nudging one another in a lift line?
According to research, the reasons why children participate in sport are:
to have fun and to enjoy participation in sport.
to learn new skills and to improve existing sport skills.
to become physically fit and to enjoy good health.
to enjoy a team atmosphere and to be with friends
to enjoy the challenge and excitement of sports participation and competition.
The final motive, listed above, brings to light the importance of competition in Entry Level sport from the perspective of the children involved. The element of competition is a concept that is so commonly used and misused, forced and avoided, all within the context of Entry Level sport. How can we, as coaches, ensure that we make the most of the competitive spirit growing within so many of the young athletes with whom we work? If all children were naturally blessed with self-confidence, goal perspective and intrinsic motivation, coaches could rely solely on providing an environment in which to train and compete. Coaches could stand off to the side of the hill, drink coffee, find the "optimum tanning angle" and side slip the course from time to time. Every child would have fun, feel good about them selves and try their best…but this is not the reality.
Fortunately, we can learn from effective Entry Level ski coaches who have discovered that in order to encourage a balanced competitive environment de-emphasizing winning is key. Through experience, they have developed respect for their athletes and accept that anxiety, self-doubt and the fear of disappointing others are all negative factors that can eclipse the number one reason why children participate in sport … having fun.
How can we keep "fun" and "competition" from becoming adversaries within the realm of alpine ski racing? Consider the following thoughts and reflect upon your own approach as a coach to Entry Level competition:
"Children want and need positive experiences in sport. They want to play, not watch others play; they want to achieve their own goals, not adult goals; they want less emphasis on winning and more freedom to have fun. Unfortunately, what children want from sport is often overshadowed by what some adults have done to children’s sport."(Orlick and Zitzelsberger, 1996, p. 330.)
As a coach, wanting the best for your team of athletes is natural. If you are able to provide a safe environment and responsibly manage competitive activities that motivate and challenge your athletes on a regular basis, the likelihood for long-term successes will increase. The Husky Snow Stars program has been revamped for this season and it is filled with innovative ideas and challenges to infuse into your daily Entry Level plans. For instance, "Skill Duals" is contained in each level.
"Skill duals should be used in every training day. They are fun and a productive way to incorporate competitive elements of skiing.”
Teach a drill in free skiing until the skiers become proficient.With brushes or foamies, set a quick, rhythmical dual course on easy terrain involving at least 15 direction changes.Have the skiers race each other while performing the drill in the course. Encourage the skiers based on their speed, and quality of performance."
"Scrimmaging" in most sports is what kids look forward to during their training time.
We are fortunate in ski racing to have so many variables to draw from that will support athletic development. Rremember to reward your athletes with the opportunity to challenge themselves in a scrimmage setting, every day that they are on snow.
It would seem that many of the answers to finding an optimal competitive balance lie within your young athletes, so listen to what they say, and observe each child as if they were your own. After all, if kids can find fun, challenge, and excitement as they get on the chairlift, imagine what they can do when they actually make a few turns.
posted by Ski 2 Tee at
10:00 AM
|
0 comments
