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> Most boys play sports to stand out. Mostly with girls. Sometimes against other boys. Sometimes in the hope of getting a scholarship. I completely disagree. T

> Most boys play sports to stand out. Mostly with girls. Sometimes against other boys. Sometimes in the hope of getting a scholarship. I completely disagree. This is a very pessimistic depiction of young male athletes. I believe the primary reason for high schoolers playing sports is still interest in the game itself, not ancillary benefits. When I started coaching high school the team was 1-7 and a joke to the school. There were still thirty boys that came out to practice everyday because they loved the game. > In addition, most high school coaches suck by simple Darwinian mechanics. The good ones get pulled up to much bigger schools REALLY quickly. The poor ones get left behind. I also disagree with this. Coaching promotion is highly dependent on whom you know and whom you're friends with. There many excellent high school coaches that never get pulled up simply because they do not have the connections. There are also many good college coaches that leave college ball because they would rather be head coach of a great high school program than the third defensive back specialist of a college team.

anigbrowl 12y ago
American culture is awash in thinly-disguised fertility rituals, from cheerleader routines at sports fixtures to selection of 'prom queens' who are stereotypically paired with the quarterback of the football team. From a non-American's perspective, football is massively sexualized.
bsder 12y ago
> There many excellent high school coaches that never get pulled up simply because they do not have the connections. There are not many "excellent" coaches. Sorry. The vast majority barely grasp the basics. In fact, that was the point of the article. A team drilled heavily in fundamentals can beat most other teams at the same level and many at a slightly higher level. As someone who referees, I see a lot of teams and coaches. The good ones are both rare and stick out like a sore thumb. Someone who consistently competes for championship games gets offers from bigger schools. I have never not seen this happen. There is always a bigger school trying to do better in its football program. It is rare for someone who is good to last more than 5 years in a program unless they have a particular attachment to the area. I would agree that the transition from high school coach -> college coach probably is more dependent on contacts than talent.

anigbrowl 12y ago

American culture is awash in thinly-disguised fertility rituals, from cheerleader routines at sports fixtures to selection of 'prom queens' who are stereotypically paired with the quarterback of the football team. From a non-American's perspective, football is massively sexualized.

bsder 12y ago

> There many excellent high school coaches that never get pulled up simply because they do not have the connections. There are not many "excellent" coaches. Sorry. The vast majority barely grasp the basics. In fact, that was the point of the article. A team drilled heavily in fundamentals can beat most other teams at the same level and many at a slightly higher level. As someone who referees, I see a lot of teams and coaches. The good ones are both rare and stick out like a sore thumb. Someone who consistently competes for championship games gets offers from bigger schools. I have never not seen this happen. There is always a bigger school trying to do better in its football program. It is rare for someone who is good to last more than 5 years in a program unless they have a particular attachment to the area. I would agree that the transition from high school coach -> college coach probably is more dependent on contacts than talent.