For those who desire to be the best they can be, acceptable and optimal are antonyms.
“‘Forcing’ subpar workouts on kids because you can isn’t the same thing as professionally coached sports performance enhancement.
It’s a power play to check a box that isn’t even checking what you think it’s checking.
Those who know, know & this is why they seek quality.”
-Ray Zingler
Before (the good) HS Strength Coaches jump on me, this post isn’t a blanket statement.
I know you’re out there. I learn from you. And I appreciate you.
To take it a step further, this isn’t even a post to “knock” on the poor or unqualified coaches who are appointed “weight training” classes to teach for logistics reasons or because there is simply nobody else.
Contrary to what the average person in my shoes would do (tell you, you suck) I commend those who take on the responsibility of having to facilitate 40+ kids in a room full of metal and liability.
The point of the message is this:
We live in a different sports world today than we lived in as recent as 10 years ago. Hell, as recent as 5 years ago, honestly.
Not only are the games and seasons changing (heavily increasing), but the access to information and quality performance enhancement is also at an all-time high.
I am a high school purist.
I love high school athletics.
I sponsor any and everything I can get my hands on to show support and I massively advocate for high school coaches.
I love the community, the camaraderie, and the potential for growth high school sports have the ability to provide.
But I will say this, the sports world is growing at a rate that most high school system’s will never be able to keep up with if they maintain the model they are using.
And we’re starting to see this trend as people are taking their sports performance into their own hands. Just look at what the travel ball scenes have done to HS baseball, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse from a global perspective.
Sure, one could argue the disdain for the state of our current youth athletics (I’m raising my hand) but it’s only going to get worse, if that’s what we want to call it.
And it’s because it’s not about what’s acceptable anymore.
It’s about what people (who are invested) perceive to be best.
And whether I like or dislike the state of the way things are, if I am who I say I am, I have to push what’s “best” for our kids, over what’s acceptable.
And in most cases, the answers are found outside.
