From Library Journal
The authors, who all have children of their own who have played youth sports, contend that children should compete in these programs to have fun and learn the basics of sports activities. However, as former NBA player Bigelow, journalist Tom Moroney, and writer and editor Linda Hall show, children often have difficulties enjoying themselves because organized sports programs emphasize winning at all costs. Many parents also apply a great deal of pressure on their own children to perform at a thletic levels beyond their abilities. The authors argue that both the parents and organizations that sponsor sports programs need to change their philosophy to allow children to enjoy themselves while participating in games. This unique book suggests ways to organize athletic programs to emphasize play rather than competition, stressing that younger children should become involved to have a good time. Only when they become older should they participate in more competitive programs. With practical tips on restructuring the sports programs themselves, this book will be invaluable for parents in preparing their children for organized sports. Recommended for all public libraries. Patrick Mahoney, Off Campus Lib. Services, Central Michigan Univ., Mount Pleasant Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
"Bob's message is a must for all parents and coaches. He challenges adults to understand their effect on youngsters, and that kids' needs have to be met first."
Bob Trupin, Westport, CT
This is not just another book touting improved sportsmanship and better coaching to remedy the violence in youth sports today. Just Let the Kids Play is the first book to identify the youth sports systems as the cause of the problem, and offers practical ways to rebuild them so they better serve the physical and emotional needs of children.
First-round NBA draft pick, part-time NBA scout and youth coach Bob Bigelow joins journalists Tom Moroney and Linda Hall to put youth sports under harsh review. They explain the controversial belief that elite traveling teams at young ages should be abolished and replaced with equal playing time, team parity and shortened seasons, among others. Focusing on soccer, basketball, baseball and hockey, they highlight ten programs nationwide where these principles are working, and offer ways to integrate them into existing programs without sacrificing a child's chances for success.
Soccer moms and hockey dads will discover that it really is possible to sleep in on Saturdays without sacrificing their child's future!
About the Author
Bob Bigelow is a first-round draft pick and former NBA player with the Kansas City Kings, San Diego Clippers and the Boston Celtics. Named one of the 50 best basketball players in the country in high school, he played college ball for Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly and has given more than 400 talks nationwide. Award-winning journalist Tom Moroney is a TV commentator for WGBH-TV (Boston); co-host of a radio show on WRKO (Boston); and a columnist for the Metrowest Daily News (Framingham, MA). Linda Hall is a former editor at the Providence (R.I.) Journal and a writer whose work has appeared in the Boston Globe.
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