September/October 2020 - 9

their time outside of the classroom which serves as
competition to your program. Video games, esports, parttime
jobs, and sports not sanctioned or sponsored within
your state association framework all represent
alternatives for young people which may take them away
from your high school program.
* After years of playing on the youth-level, some
athletes may become burned out and leave the sport.
Specialization often compounds and adds to this
phenomenon. In addition, some young people also tire
of the pressure and expectations placed upon them by
their parents and decide that it is no longer enjoyable or
worth it.
* In an effort to cover budget shortfalls and to avoid
cutting teams, pay-for-play initiatives have unfortunately
been instituted by some schools. Due to this negative
philosophical approach, there are families who are
unwilling to pay for a child who may not start or see
considerable playing time. As a result, squad sizes often
decrease in school programs which balance the budget
with participation fees.
These four possible reasons for a decline in participants
are not meant to be an all-inclusive list. There may be
others in your particular setting. By determining the
reasons, however, provides you with areas in which you can
take definite steps in order to turn things around. You might
consider the following suggestions.
1
2
Look to hire coaches who have the energy and
personality to go out and attract athletes to their
program. This may mean that they will have to go into lunch
periods and engage students in the hallways. In essence,
these coaches are actively recruiting within the school.
.Periodically remind your coaches that the number one
.reason young people participate in sports is to have
fun. This does not mean that they should abandon teaching
skills, preparing their team and trying to win games, but
student-athletes want to enjoy the experience with their
friends. It is vital that coaches never forget this very simple,
but vital fact. When practice sessions become overly tedious
and a win-at-all-cost prevails, you run the risk that some
students will look for other possible outlets. It is important
for coaches to keep their approach as positive as possible,
help young people to grow, develop and win, and the
participation rate will take care of themselves.
3
4
.Ascertain if it would be advantageous to add a new
.sport to meet student interest. This can be done by
surveying your students. However, you also have to be
aware of what other schools in the area may offer this sport.
Without other teams in the area, it would be extremely
difficult to create a schedule for competition. For maximum
participation, however, it is extremely important to offer
what your young people want whenever possible.
.Appeal to athletes on teams with a small squad size to
.bring along a friend to watch a practice session, meet
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September/October 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2020
