Anonymous wrote:Part of the problem here is the pay to play travel sports industrial complex. Kid plays ‘travel’ soccer. Kid is really not that good but parent and kid have spent huge amounts of time driving to out of town tournaments etc. kid tries out in high school, doesn’t make team and doesn’t know how to deal. Kid assumes he is vastly better than rec. probably he’s not but rec teams are somewhat decimated by the move to travel. If travel sports were actually limited to the absolute top players, and more kids stuck with rec, not making the hs team would be less of a shock and there would be more rec options.

In the rest of the world by 13-14 only the top 5% are playing. By 16 they have cut down to the top 2%. In the states because of pay to play and college system in the US this number is 30-45%.

I do believe these cuts are hard on kids. Travel sports like soccer consume all their free time from u9 to whenever it stops. When they get cut they feel they have nothing left and are embarrassed and humiliated in front of their peers.

Also I think many parents talk about the kid’s friends, playing with teammates, etc. The truth is if your kid is getting cut they most likely are not enjoying the experience. The “friends” on the team will move on without your kid- ie they really are not friends. They were just on the same team and forced to socialize.

Anonymous wrote:Part of the problem here is the pay to play travel sports industrial complex. Kid plays ‘travel’ soccer. Kid is really not that good but parent and kid have spent huge amounts of time driving to out of town tournaments etc. kid tries out in high school, doesn’t make team and doesn’t know how to deal. Kid assumes he is vastly better than rec. probably he’s not but rec teams are somewhat decimated by the move to travel. If travel sports were actually limited to the absolute top players, and more kids stuck with rec, not making the hs team would be less of a shock and there would be more rec options.

Play rec!?! The horror! Not my little Cameron!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

We’re talking about basketball right now, genius.

You have never played pick up in the winter in DC? You are missing out.

The mental gymnastics you are engaging in just to avoid having to admit you were simply wrong is truly amazing to behold.

Sorry, I’m a different poster. But equally puzzled why you think a teenager can’t play basketball outside in DC in the winter. It’s simply not that cold.

Anonymous wrote:Part of the problem here is the pay to play travel sports industrial complex. Kid plays ‘travel’ soccer. Kid is really not that good but parent and kid have spent huge amounts of time driving to out of town tournaments etc. kid tries out in high school, doesn’t make team and doesn’t know how to deal. Kid assumes he is vastly better than rec. probably he’s not but rec teams are somewhat decimated by the move to travel. If travel sports were actually limited to the absolute top players, and more kids stuck with rec, not making the hs team would be less of a shock and there would be more rec options.

Go ahead and make your plan happen.

Part of the problem here is the pay to play travel sports industrial complex. Kid plays ‘travel’ soccer. Kid is really not that good but parent and kid have spent huge amounts of time driving to out of town tournaments etc. kid tries out in high school, doesn’t make team and doesn’t know how to deal. Kid assumes he is vastly better than rec. probably he’s not but rec teams are somewhat decimated by the move to travel. If travel sports were actually limited to the absolute top players, and more kids stuck with rec, not making the hs team would be less of a shock and there would be more rec options.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

We’re talking about basketball right now, genius.

What difference those that make to my key point ?

Dress up properly and you can play basketball outdoors in winter. It’s ok, you will survive and shock horror maybe have fun !

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

We’re talking about basketball right now, genius.

You have never played pick up in the winter in DC? You are missing out.

The mental gymnastics you are engaging in just to avoid having to admit you were simply wrong is truly amazing to behold.

Anonymous wrote:Rejection is part of life. They’re going to be rejected from colleges, jobs, by people they have crushes on, friends, all kinds of things.

If a kid takes it that hard, I’d wonder why their parents didn’t raise them to be more resilient. Sure, it hurts, but kids shouldn’t be completely devastated by it. They should be able to grieve and then move on.

Better for kids to learn the sting of rejection and how to bounce back while they’re young, rather than when they’re older and the consequences are much more severe.

+ a million. This outcry over school sports is just another form of helicopter parenting, attempting to shield kids from any form of upset. Sports are fundamentally about competition. So are many other aspects of life. Giving everyone a trophy, or in this case a spot on the team, doesn’t build resilience. It sucks for the kids who don’t make it but there are many other ways to play sports and get exercise. And lots of other activities for kids who aren’t athletic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

We’re talking about basketball right now, genius.

You have never played pick up in the winter in DC? You are missing out.

Rejection is part of life. They’re going to be rejected from colleges, jobs, by people they have crushes on, friends, all kinds of things.

If a kid takes it that hard, I’d wonder why their parents didn’t raise them to be more resilient. Sure, it hurts, but kids shouldn’t be completely devastated by it. They should be able to grieve and then move on.

Better for kids to learn the sting of rejection and how to bounce back while they’re young, rather than when they’re older and the consequences are much more severe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

We’re talking about basketball right now, genius.

pretty standard everywhere except small schools in small towns.

when my kid tried out for volleyball at a high school of 4000ish, she didn't make it. a few of her friends did. none of those friends made it in 10th grade.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

We had to run cross country during the winter. There this great invention called a tracksuit that keeps you warm in cold weather and exercise warms you up.

Anonymous wrote:
You don’t need to only use the formal basketball court.

For PE we used hoops on wheels on the all purpose playgrounds and fields.

We are talking about casual rec level playing. kids play pick up games in parking lots all over the word. Use your imagination and creativity, it’s not rocket science.

Are you familiar with winter? JFC.

Schools are paid for through taxes, local taxes , it’s not free.