Today, children are starting organized sports at younger and younger ages, often with the idea that an early start will increase their chances of success.
But the reality is that organized programs tend to focus almost entirely on developing technical and tactical skills. As a result, there’s less and less time left for simple fun and free play.
In this blog, we want to remind coaches of young athletes that this is a serious mistake.
Kids need time for games and enjoyment alongside their formal training.
Below we’ll explain why.
Play Builds Body and Mind
When young athletes play games, they don’t just feel joy and satisfaction, they also develop physical and emotional abilities. Through play they strengthen relationships with teammates and learn about their roles within a group.
Quickly changing the rules of a game or learning a new one “on the fly” demands concentration, logical thinking, and the ability to make rapid decisions: skills that are essential in modern sport.
A Boost for Motor Abilities
Games also have a powerful impact on motor development. Some activities emphasize endurance or strength, while others build speed and agility. By selecting the right game or tweaking its rules, coaches can deliberately target specific physical qualities.
The same applies to motor skills. With the huge variety of games available, coaches can help athletes develop different abilities in a fresh and enjoyable way.
A Basketball Example
Take basketball (and many other team sports) where a key offensive skill is getting open at the right moment. If a player simply stands still, the chance of receiving a pass is minimal.
Coaches often address this by having players practice without dribbling. That forces constant movement and teaches them to create space.
The problem?
Players usually dislike drills without the ball in their hands, so motivation and effectiveness drops.
At our last practice we solved this with a simple game: Ultimate.
We explained the slightly modified rules in a minute or two (the area inside the three-point line counted as the scoring zone) and play began. Players passed a frisbee, moving it down the court with accurate throws. The catcher couldn’t run, so teammates had to keep moving to shake their defenders and get open.
The kids loved it. We even extended the game by an extra ten minutes because they didn’t want to stop and their ability to get open improved dramatically thanks to their excitement and engagement. Goal achieved!
Stronger Foundations for All Young Athletes
The motor abilities and skills many children lack today can be effectively developed through games, creating a stronger base for later sport-specific training.
And this isn’t just for beginners. Play is valuable for all young athletes, from ages 6 to 18.
That’s why we dedicated two chapters of our book "Formula for Success in Sports 2" to the importance of play in athletic development, including descriptions of a wide range of games you can use at the start, middle, or end of practice—Ultimate among them.
Make your practices both fun and effective.
Bring more games into your sessions!
Wishing you success,
Igor Macner
