After reading the essay “Children Need to Play, Not Compete” it reminded me a lot of my childhood and how I used to love going to practice but hated playing in the actual game. I was always afraid I was going to mess up and my coach would yell at me and embarrass me in front of my fellow team mates and also my parents. I didn’t want to let anyone down in the game by missing a goal, basket, hit, etc.
This article also reminding me of my brother. In his first week of football practices as a freshman in high school, he tore his hamstring. He let it heal, than began to practice again. When he started practicing the day he was cleared for his hamstring, he landed wrong in a play and his knee cap slid out of place. He’s a tough kid and didn’t complain but this situation really opened my eyes to see how coaches really can push their athletes too far.
Almost every child that plays a sport grows up with the pressure to do right and not fail. It’s a lot of weight to carry on such little shoulders at such a young age. It’s hard to tell whether the child can handle the pressure or be scarred for the rest of their lives.