Playing vs. Competing

Here's a very interesting perspective from Coach Mike Candrea on the value of competition in softball. I strongly support his opinion. See what the rest of y'all think.

Playing vs. Competing

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Have we developed a system that has created an unintended consequence in player development? I can honestly say that kids are playing many more games over a 12 month period than ever before yet we find fewer competitors in today’s culture. What do I mean by this statement? Pound for pound, you will find more kids that are more technically sound than ever before but we are confusing ability for talent. As Allen Fox, author of The Winners Mind suggest, “Most people mistake speed and skill for talent. Real talent starts with energy, drive, work ethic and the will to win. Without these attributes, a player can never be great.”

In this country, we have focused so much on playing, that we have not taught our players to compete-to fight- to work hard or to have the will to win. We emphasize playing, technical ability and skills. Our youth players play a lot of softball, but few compete.

It is not always the fault of the players. Our “system” or our “softball culture” is dysfunctional. When a player is not playing, she simply changes teams. There is no thought about competing for a spot on the team, fighting for a spot, getting better to earn a spot – we simply change teams. The message to the players is that striving to get better is not important; it is simply how you play and how you look.

High School age players don’t care much about the outcome of most games they play. They do care about “showing” – about playing to showcase their skills and abilities for college coaches. How many times have you heard a parent tell their daughter that you played well or you showed well despite losing the game?

Add to this the large number of meaningless games and we have a deadly combination. The emphasis slowly changes from the game to the individual. The emphasis has changed to playing and showing and competing is lost. By the time our players move to the next level, they have not learned how to compete.

In fact, research is very clear that constant praising of children’s innate (softball skills or intellectual) ability can prevent young athletes/students from living up to their potential. On the other hand, studies show that teaching young people to focus on effort rather than ability helps make them high achievers and competitors in school, on the field and in life! As coaches, we must do our part to emphasize attitude and effort – two elements that we have control over each and every day and will largely influence our success in life.

Until next month,

Candrea
Coach Candrea

 

Whole heartedly agree. Been saying this for a long time myself.

 

I agree wholeheartedly!! It sounds like a very close description of showcases! Many on here have mentioned how showcases dilute the true spirit of competition.

How many times have I heard people say winning doesn't matter in showcases?

Candrea is probably not alone in his evaluation.

Showcases have their place but there are far too many of them! Those little pieces of plastic at tournaments that have a champion can represent more than junk trophies; they can bring out the competitor in a player. Those trophies become reminders of what true competition feels like.

Thanks Coach Candrea; and all the other coaches that value the GAME!

 

I agree with much that was said; however, I don't agree with being a competitor as a learned skill...or even calling it a skill.

I believe a competitor is something that you have or don't. Most of the time it is revealed at a young age, but the one's that love to compete, do so all of the time, in everything they do. They HATE losing in anything they are involved in--whether it's a hard fought softball game or playing tiddlywinks. If it's a game and one has to compete, they refuse to lose.

It has nothing to do with talent or skill,..it's character, but I agree, if you don't have that drive, you will never perform at your best. If you give me 9 players that will compete, I'll play the most talented team with no drive and beat them the majority of the time.

It's funny. I've seen most people complain about that player that wears their emotions on their sleeve and displays immature behavior when things don't go right; but if I see that in a young player I like it. They will outgrow the immaturity and figure it out, but they will never outgrow that competitiveness--that lasts a lifetime.

 

Well said, this is what I have spoken to many people about, as I have observed and witnessed the importance of "me" the last few years. I have felt for sometime that a great amount of players either lose of never delevop a heart for the game. It is the one thing you cannot teach, players develop it on there own or they don't. I remember debates on this board about show cases and what there about and it does not matter if you win as long as "you", "show well", with the type of message from coaches and parents its no wonder that kids do not develop a true love for the game and competition. My DD has moved on the college now so I really don't have a dog in the fight anymore, but I am happy to see Coach address it, hopefully it will have a positive impact on how we develop our future players.

 

Competition!!!!!

Call me "old" school and OLD! But I remember the days that you had to compete to make a team's roster , then had to compete to play/be in the starting lineup and win a championship to be given an award. At what point in any sport , did we start giving players a participation award for "just showing up"!? You did not switch teams , you had to compete , because there were not that many options/teams. I know it is hard to believe , but IF YOU DID NOT MAKE THE TEAM..YOU had to try harder to improve..there is a novel idea. I love the game , competing to win and developing the friendships that come with playing on a team that is trying to accomplish a goal...not as an individual but as a team. If you are talented , you will be found! Believe or not , those are friendships that will be with you for the rest of your life. I am sure that showcase's have their place but give me good , old fashioned competition where you are playing to accomplish a goal , win a league , win a tournament , etc. If I were a recruiter , I want to see: how a player interacts as a team mate , how they react to game pressure and their skill set for that sport.

 

Agreed, 100%!!!

 

Ripball, good post. What you are describing is an environment that taught you more than just the ball skills needed to succeed. It taught you life skills.

A college softball program is going to throw a lot of challenges at a girl:

- she's expected to be a contributor to the program for 4 yrs.
- she expected to be able to handle the academic/social challenges
- she's 1 of 18-22 players very skilled players vying for positions with 4-8 new, hungry kids coming in each year.
- she's expect to be a positive influence on the team environment since they spend 9-10 months a year together
- win games as win/loss affect people's job security

I believe Candrea's point is that more and more players are developing the prerequisite softball skill but that fewer and fewer girls are developing the necessary life skills needed to compete in this challenging environment of college softball. Skill such as: drive, commitment, adaptability, patience, humility, etc...

 

I think

I think this is "almost" like politics today and why our country is so split or the non-politically correct to the PC type. A kid that works hard and makes the team and plays 100% teamed with the kid that just looks good in a uniform. The way I am, I want the kid or adult that wants to give 100%. Work hard either hitting a softball or clicking on a mouse. Bill Gates is not worth 54 BILLION just by looking good. This coming weekend in AAU in Concord there will be about 60 or 70 teams. 2 weeks ago there were 115 teams. The AAU people have worked hard to get to that point of having 115 teams and trying make everyone happy. Hard work brings success......................

Showcase is good only for what it is. SHOWCASE a resume' in action....

 

Going "all in": Emotion and being a competitor

Anyone who ever saw my DD play knew she was (and is) a competitor . . . she hates only one thing in this world, losing. Because of this she would show her emotions from time to time, both in the circle and in the dugout. This was one area where she and her college coach clashed. The coach felt any expression of 'fire' was a sign of lack of control. I knew better, though, and so did the radar gun. The more 'fired up' she was the harder she threw (and the more likely she was to 'own the plate').

Honestly I see too many girls, even at the collegiate level, who are not willing to go "all in" when they play. It's a risk to do so but it's only way to ever achieve greatness in sport (or any other aspect of life).