Trophies vs Goals

Earlier this week we talked with Certified Instructor, Thomas Judkins of Virginia/North Carolina. He had a great point when it comes to tryouts for your next travel team. Let’s hear from Thomas.
During the “tryout season” many travel teams are looking for new players. They may try to attract players by utilizing their trophy collection. They blast out emails, post on Facebook and Instagram, with photos of trophy ceremonies from their summer tournaments.

Recently I met a representative of a local travel organization and during the conversation he expressed a message that went something like this. “If we get them into our facility for tryouts and they see our wall of trophies, they will know we are the right organization.” “Really?”, I thought to myself.
Many parents ask me, “What team should my daughter try-out for?” I ask what they want in a team/organization? Are you looking to put trophies on the wall? Or, are you looking for a team that helps your daughter reach her goals? Yes, if players are being developed well, trophies are often a result, but not necessarily the entire goal. Sometimes obtaining trophies is as easy as playing in not-so-tough tournaments.
I suggest parents do the research. If a coach is truly in it to help kids reach their goals, sometimes the trophies are in a box somewhere, not hanging in their office. He may get far more satisfaction from the kids he helped develop into great players, lives he changed, or kids who learned to love the game.
Sit down and write priorities for the team you choose. Place them in order. Ask the coach, the parents, and other players on the team specific questions and make sure your priorities match those of the team.
It is far too easy to go to tryouts and get caught up in emotions. The team has lots of trophies, great uniforms, and the kids seem to get along well, so you jump on board. All of those are good things in many cases but if, halfway through the season, you realize that trophy acquisition takes precedence over player development, it might not be the best fit for you. It all depends on the priorities you established in the beginning. Firmly stick to those and your experience is more likely to be positive.