It is theft from their development.
“In youth sports, we focus on what the anomalies are doing or what (it looks like) they ‘don’t have to do’..
And then we use the perceptions to drive decisions for the masses.
IT is for this reason the vast majority don’t even get the opportunity to sniff their potential.”
-Ray Zingler on X
The internet is a powerful tool.
And like any powerful tool, it can be used as a force for good or as a force for bad.
And unfortunately, despite the nearly unlimited volume of ultra-high quality, research backed, simplified information out there on the web that is accessible at our fingertips, this isn’t what people pay attention to.
The reason is because reading through research journals doesn’t give the same dopamine release as scouring Instagram or reading a “skinny tea” articles that affirm our perceptions and confirms our biases.
You can quickly see the dangers associated with the internet as it has the ability to manipulate, and fool grown adults.. Can you imagine what it does to the young, immature, impressionable teen?
Not to point you to a research article but take a guess on the affects (trash) social media has on the adolescents psyche.
To save you some time researching, I’ll just tell you that it isn’t good.
So what in the world does this have to do with youth athletic development?
I’ll tell you; it has everything to do with youth athletic development.
Social Media, YouTube, and the Recruiting websites do what? They push the anomalies to the top. The outliers. Not the “regular” kids.
So what happens is parents and especially kids, see these outliers.
And when they see what these outliers are doing (or not doing) they assume that is what THEY need to be doing in order to become “like them”.
When in reality, the HS Pitcher pitching 96 is doing so likely because he is a strong genetic freak, not because of some “weighted ball” program.
That running back didn’t commit to Alabama because of the ladder drills you watched him do, he committed to Alabama because he’s 6’3” 240lbs. and runs sub 4.6.
In order for most kids to reach the pinnacle of their potential, not paying attention to the outliers’ actions are going to be instrumental.
Many outliers are great IN SPITE OF what they do or don’t do. We must understand this.
Micah Parsons could work at a Jiffy Lube and be Micah Parsons.
Trying to emulate them without their genetics and the foundational, constantly evolving process of development to enhance general athletic qualities is a surefire way of never reach your potential.
