In this current era of analytics and big data, we cannot go far without seeing or referring to key metrics or dashboards. Like a dashboard on a car that monitors the tire pressure, traction control, RPMs, speed, engine temperature, oil pressure, and fuel gauge ……. (as we hope that the check engine light does not come on), we also measure and display key performance indicators (KPIs) in young athletes.
(Radio crackling … monotone voice) We interrupt this blog with this important PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. A reminder that the most important KPI on the youth sports dashboard is not throwing velocity, sprinting speed, home runs, points per game, medals, 12U national rankings, etc. but rather smiles per hour.
Of course, there are a myriad of positive benefits of youth sports covering physical, cognitive, mental, educational, emotional, and social aspects. But (and this is a big BUT), they need to consistently participate … and this hinges upon their interest and motivation to participate. Furthermore, the experience counts in terms of getting them to keep coming back.
Children cite ‘fun’ as the primary reason for participation in organized sport and its absence as the number one reason for youth sport attrition.
What makes sports fun for kids?
In her seminal work published in 2015, Dr. Amanda Visek created the FUN MAPS identifying 11 fun-dimensions composed of 81 specific fun-determinants. Here’s a great infographic summarizing the research.
And to hear a detailed account of this work by Dr. Visek see below:
As mentioned by Working With Parents in Sports, another great youth sports organization, “we are prone to believing that winning and scoring would be high on the adult agenda of what is fun (and it probably is for adults) and important for their children. However, whilst winning may be a determinant of what makes the experience fun for children, it doesn’t make the top of the list in terms of importance. In fact, it falls in the middle of the list of 81 fun-determinants ……….Upon further reflection though, this too makes sense, does it not? Winning is simply the outcome of the competitive match, though the process of playing and moving and being challenged.”
The four keys areas are:
trying hard or effort
being challenged in learning environments
setting goals and working toward achieving them (improvement)
having the opportunity to play and compete
Keep as many in the pipeline as long as possible
Unfortunately, the Public Service Announcement at the beginning of this blog is brought to you by the 70% of kids who drop out of sport by age 13! If you follow me, you have heard or read a major mantra of long-term athletic development is “keep as many in the pipeline as long as possible”.
A surefire way to accomplish the many goals and objectives of youth sports is to create a fun and challenging environment, and pay attention to the smile-o-meter. And, this is not just for youngsters <12 yrs of age. Middle schoolers, high schoolers and all of us like to have fun.