The balance of challenge

A common practice in today’s sporting world is for youth athletes to compete in older age groups, or older youth athletes to compete in adult environments. The objective for playing in older age groups is to place a higher level of challenge on the athlete to enhance their long-term development. I am a believer that this practice, when conducted appropriately, provides an invaluable method of developing young athletes striving to obtain elite status.

 

There are many factors to consider, and questions to be asked, before subjecting younger athletes to older age groups. I have listed some of the more important questions below;

(1)   Is the athlete (and parents!) mentally, physically, and emotional mature to be able to adjust the increased challenge?

(2)   Are there positive role models (e.g. experienced coaches, athletes) in the older age groups that can nurture the development of the underage athletes?

(3)   Will the athlete continue to experience and recognize success? This will help to maintain their passion/motivation for the sport.

(4)   Will the athlete positively influence the older team/environment that he/she is competing in? It is important for the athlete and his/her teammates to recognize the benefit of the decision to play in an older age group.

(5)   Does the athlete have all the relevant information before making this important decision? Remember it is the athlete, not the parents, who should be making this decision. If the athlete is not able to make the decision, then the answer to question one is probably NO.

 

It is not a question of whether the athlete is chronologically old enough to compete in older age groups, it is whether all of the above questions can be asked, and answered, by the athlete/parents.

Craig Dalrymple

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