The Buzz on Youth Sports

Paying for points? Play for fun, not money
© Jon Buzby, www.JonBuzby.com

He dribbles up the court faking out the defenders, ignoring his wide-open teammates. Instead of passing for an easy lay up, he shoots a twenty-footer and misses. The coach disgustedly calls time-out and asks, “Why didn’t you pass?” The player responds, “My dad gives me a dollar for every point I score! I don’t get money for assists.”

I’ve heard it many times. Parents rewarding their children for points, goals or touchdowns. It might be money, ice cream or a video rental. But regardless of what it is, it’s wrong!

If I ask a child, “Should kids be paid money when they score?” most will say no. But if I offer a young player $5 after a game because he scored a touchdown, most likely he will accept it. Parents have this misconception that a child will play harder and better if he knows there are rewards from mom or dad. I’ve never seen a kid play better for rewards, only more selfishly. So kids, if you’re parents keep offering you bribes to score you have to tell them it is wrong.

It teaches you that extrinsic rewards are more important than the good feelings you get from making a play that contributes to your team. It encourages you to shoot instead of pass and put your personal goals before the team results. It makes other kids who aren’t being rewarded feel inferior and will eventually hurt the team’s cohesiveness. So tell your parents that you want to be congratulated for making good plays, not paid.

Tell your parents you’d rather receive high fives than five bucks.

You’d rather see their smiles after a score than see them reach for their wallets.

You want to hear cheers not bribes.

You’re not a pro and only pro athletes get paid.

Instead of paying you after a game, suggest they take the entire team out for ice cream, win or lose.

You play for fun, not rewards.

Kids, sometimes you have to be the adults. Just say no!!

© 2008 Jon Buzby

Jon Buzby is a successful syndicated columnist and former youth coach. His column, The Buzz on Youth Sports, appears in newspapers and magazines around the country as well as throughout the Internet. His latest books are, "Coaching Kids: It’s More than X’s and O’s" and "Raising a Sports Fanatic." Email your questions or comments to Jon via email or visit his website at www.jonbuzby.com for more information.

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