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Youth Sports Expert Advice | What do I tell my team who has to play older competition?

Positive Coaching Alliance Each week, we ask fans of Responsible Sports "What Would You Do?" in response to our weekly Responsible Sports Scenario Question. And many of you write in with scenario questions of your own! So we've asked Tina Syer, Associate Director at Positive Coaching Alliance, to answer one of your suggested questions each week.

Posted on June 25, 2010: What do I tell my team who has to play older competition?

A Responsible Sports Fan suggested the following Scenario Question:

Your basketball AAU or select team is hosting a tournament and other teams are playing older girls or higher grade levels against your 12U team. The girls on your team are all 5th and 6th graders while the other team is playing 6th and 7th graders. What would you do if you found out this was happening?

Dear Rhonda,

Based on your question, I can’t tell if the other teams are in fact breaking the age-group rules for the tournament. If they are, I think you should take this information to the tournament organizers as soon as you are aware of the problem. The tournament organizers should then approach ALL teams’ coaches with the tournament rules (in writing), and the coaches should be asked to produce age documentation for their players. If they cannot produce this documentation, then they will have to forfeit their games, and you can consider whether or not to still play the games (basically for practice) knowing which team will receive the official win.

If the other teams are playing within the age rules (but are still much older than your team), then I think you talk with your players about how this tournament is going to be a challenge for your team, as you’ll usually be on the younger side in the match-ups. Rather than ignoring this fact, get it out in the open with your team and let them know this is a real opportunity for your team to play against strong opponents. Let your players know: “These older teams will push our team to play at a high level, and I am excited about this challenge as your coach.”

You might even ask your players how they are feeling about playing these older teams. This will give your players a chance to voice their fears/nervousness, and you can let them know you’ll be proud of them regardless of the scoreboard outcome, as long as they give 100% from start to finish each game.

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Tina Syer Ask the Expert
Tina Syer is the Associate Director of Positive Coaching Alliance, a nonprofit founded in the Stanford University Athletic Department.  Tina played Division I field hockey at Stanford University, where she graduated with honors in psychology and was named an Academic All-American. 

Her nine years of work for PCA have included keynote presentations for national organizations such as US Lacrosse, USA Water Polo and Special Olympics, more than 250 PCA workshop presentations, and production of multimedia products featuring PCA's National Spokesperson, Phil Jackson.  Tina's coaching experience includes seasons at the high school, college and Olympic Development levels.

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