Fundamentals Lost?
Recent feedback is showing that quality of competition is going down because fundamental skills are not being passed along to our youth.
Welcome to edition 192 of The Physical Movement.
2 weeks ago we featured 6 inspirational athletes that you likely have not heard of, and last week we added a thumbs up for the Netflix documentary on Bill Russell. This week, in the inspiration category, a feature on ladies basketball coach Tenisha Gittens reminds us of what coaches should be to their athletes.
Speaking of coaching, have you noticed a lack of fundamentals in today’s youth sport? A shortage of critical skills within the game? I have.
As young athletes get older and more competent in the game, more and more focus seems to be performing key metrics rather than getting better at the game.
Here is what I mean:
A recent article in The Athletic quoted Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora lamenting about the basics not being taught enough in baseball, from the pro level and starting in youth baseball.
From the article:
“Base running, around the league, around baseball, it’s at its worst,” he said Friday afternoon, following the team’s workout at Fenway South. “Guys don’t get good primary leads, they don’t have good secondaries, they don’t see the game before it happens. They don’t anticipate.”
“That comes from youth baseball, you know, showcases and all that stuff,” said Cora. “You don’t play baseball. You just go and hit the ball far, throw it hard, and run as fast as possible for 60 yards.”
“The game itself, the development of the instincts, it doesn’t happen in youth baseball anymore,” he said.
The article reminded me of a clinic I was coaching at a few years ago with young baseball players aged 11-13. My station for the clinic series was on baserunning, specifically getting a good start and the proper way to slide. More than 1 coach came to me and thanked me, saying they did not spend time on baserunning. In fact, it was not until college that my son felt the coach focused on baserunning in practice. Reading the pitcher, watching the game while in the game or on the bench, anticipating the play, the right footwork around the bag, reading the runner ahead of you, understanding the count to the batter when on base are just a few aspects of baserunning not covered enough with our youth.
Instead, young players are being taught about launch angle, even before they have stopped growing. Something is being missed.
This is not exclusive to baseball.
Have a look at basketball, and kids are more focused on launching 3 point shots before mastering the layup, the drop step, the bank shot. More interested in points than assists, and have not been properly schooled on footwork, anticipation and the skills that make a player “basketball smart”.
Hockey has kids who can handle the puck better than ever, and shoot it incredibly well at a young age but are not as skilled on defending off the puck, protecting themselves as they move up levels into body contact, passing and receiving and protecting the puck, as well as using their backhand.
Reasons why fundamental skills of the game are on the decline?
· Coaches struggle with breaking down the key skills that will improve performance as young athletes develop. Catching and applying a tag at 3rd base, the give and go in soccer or basketball, safely blocking a shot in hockey are more examples of critical skills that are required for success but not obvious to the untrained eye or the new coach.
· Lack of practice, too many games as well as decline in informal play also contribute decline in developing game skills. Think of the average youth athlete playing so many games and how many touches they get of the ball/puck or repetitions in general. If you take the time to count the touches, there is no surprise at why skills are not there.
Not enough reps = no improvement.
· Change in evaluation metrics. No sport has been affected more than baseball. As Manager Cora is quoted above, players are evaluated on exit velocity (how hard they hit the ball), how hard they throw the ball and how fast they run in a straight line for 60 yards. They don’t measure a players ability to move the runner over when less that 2 outs, or putting the ball in play when have 2 strikes.
Game skills.
Those intangibles that make a young athlete very valuable to a team are not measured anymore.
NFL football continues to measure bench press, ability to jump and running in straight line in the combine when it has been proven over and over again that those skills only partially transfer to high level performance on the field.
· The growth of the skills coach. The skills coach can help young athletes a ton but also do a lot of damage.
From former big leaguer Jeff Frye:
Parents! There is so much misinformation out there regarding the “Swing” in baseball that you need to understand. First, there is no one best way to swing. A Lot of the #hittinggurus out there are teaching one cookie cutter swing to all the players they work with. Be very careful when finding someone to work with your kids.
We all have different skill levels and abilities and our swings are unique to us. Take your kids to someone who teaches the basic fundamentals of hitting and stresses balance, timing and rhythm. Someone who teaches your kid based on his/her strengths and weaknesses.
What can bring the fundamental game skills back?
· Let the kids play. If time is limited for practice, use the time in mini-games and play will give them more opportunity for touches. Less time standing around, more play time.
· Continue to provide coaches at the youth level proper instruction on teaching fundamental skills. The skills that can be developed as they develop are critical in their enjoyment of the game.
· If you are going to use a skill coach, find one with a proven track record of developing players. Finding a good skills coach should be treated like a job interview.
· Don’t fall victim to only evaluating individual skill metrics. How well a hockey player stick handles has little application if they can not pass or receive one.
Every sport is made up of individual skills, skills within competition which includes teams skills. Individual sports are not immune from the same concept as the golfer with the big drive or the tennis player with the power serve makes up only part of the requirements for success in competition.
Remember the intangibles when coaching youth.
Those are the fundamentals that will grow with the athlete and keep them playing for a long time.