What is the Purpose of Youth Sports? ...And Other Questions to Ponder

As we near the triathlon off-season and get out of the whirlwind of racing and travel, it's a good time to look back on the past year, and ask questions about sport participation and why we do what we do in youth sport. In the thick of the season, it's easy to get wrapped up in the competition, but we still have to take time to think about the "why."

I think one of the most important questions parents and athletes have to ask is whether the program they are with is helping them meet their goals for their child in the sport, and if that program has the capacity to continue to meet those goals long-term. However, to answer that question, families really have to take a step back and reflect a bit on deeper motivational questions about WHY they are involved in youth sports to begin with, and what kind of program best suits their young athlete.

I stumbled upon this piece written by Kirk Hanson and Matt Savage of Santa Clara University recently, and it asks some thought-provoking questions that I think youth sport families should be regularly re-evaluating for themselves. I hope this can act as a conversation starter for youth triathlon families as they consider their seasons, and the coming year.

Ethics in Youth Sports - Hanson, Savage

Have a great Monday.

Coach Morgan

Do You Know the Rules?

At the end of a pre-race "intro-to-tri" clinic for a large local kids triathlon yesterday, I had a mom ask me "So what do people do if they haven't come to this clinic? How do they know the rules? I had NO IDEA about any of these!"

This is indicative of a larger problem we have in this sport that comes from youth races being open to any and all athletes regardless of experience, coaching, or team affiliation. Please, do NOT think I am saying we should make the sport less inclusive - actually, I wish we would make the sport MORE inclusive. When I say more inclusive, I mean that if we are going to open USAT sanctioned events up to all athletes, I think we need to take responsibility for properly educating them and their families on the rules of the sport to ensure a safe and fair experience for ALL athletes racing.

For those reading, take a moment to review the USAT rules, particularly those for youth athletes - even experienced tri families might learn something new!

USA Triathlon Rulebook

Remember, it is our job to ensure our athletes know the rules, and understand why it is important to follow them, because we honor our sport. Have a wonderful Sunday.

Coach Morgan

What's it Like Inside an ITU World Triathlon Series Race?

For those who don't know, I'm a big Eric Lagerstrom fan - if for no other reason that that his efforts in video and data sharing give regular mortals and aspiring elites the opportunity to get "inside" elite races, and develop a better understanding of the efforts and strategies being enacted.

Share this with your aspiring young triathlete so they can have an inside glimpse of the "big show!"

Eric Lagerstrom - Stockholm WTS 2015

Happy Labor Day!

Coach Morgan

"The Power of Presence" - Keeping Our Kids Present

Parents,

I think we all know that feeling when we're watching a kid play sports and it is clear that they don't have a thought or worry in the world other than pursuing the competition out of sheer enjoyment. A lot of us probably wish we still experienced sport that way - and hopefully some of us still do. It's something I try to actively pursue in my own training.

What is happening during that journey from childhood to adulthood that is causing us to lose that joy, that "power of presence" in our competition? As a coach, I see more and more pressure being placed on youth athletes as they age - to place better, get a scholarship, etc. (I maintain that most of this pressure is unintentional, and can come from a wide range of sources, not just parents).

The problem is that the success they find has to be from a focus on the process, not on the outcome. This is a key tenet of sports psychology. A focus only on the outcome will eventually lead to one thing - burnout. For this reason, I spend a lot of time, especially with teenage athletes, brainstorming ways to keep that presence in their training and racing.

I encourage all of our parents to read the following article, and think about how we can help our athletes maintain their joy of sport, and therefore their presence, especially in competition.

The Power of Presence - Jasper Blake, Training Peaks

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday,

Coach Morgan

Welcome to the Team Playtri Coach's Blog!

Parents and athletes,

I've added this new page to our website as a means of sharing tips, articles and other resources for parent/athlete education with you as we find and develop them. The posts will not be long (though the articles may be!), and the goal is to keep everyone engaged in the positive culture of our programs!

Check out our first suggested read:

Six Tips for Swim Parents About Letting Our Kids Take Ownership

Have a great Friday!