Inline Hockey Leagues: Too Competitive or Just Right?

Competition is key; winning is must. Many coaches of youth sports leagues have this take.

For two years, my son did the Little League thing. Two years of sitting on the bench except for the required at bat or outfield one inning. Two years on a what's considered a major league team. He was drafted up to the better teams with no experience. Then he sat.

The coach who drafted him was good, don't get me wrong. But he only wanted the win. He'd won the championship for two years in a row. He wasn't about to risk losing it for the benefit of the kids playing that weren't the best.

We did soccer. And listened to just as many sideline parents screaming at their kids. I almost became one of them.

An avid hockey fan, my son wanted to do the ice hockey league; finances just wouldn't allow that. Inline hockey became the compromise.

The Vineland Inline League, Vineland, New Jersey, has a reputation of being the same as the Little League. Whether this is truly case, I can't say. But we didn't take the chance. We found a league a little further away.

The people in charge of the Franklinville Inline Hockey League are a delight to deal with. They charge about $20 more for out of area kids to play.

However, the coaches are great with relaxed attitudes. The kids hang out together and go to the open skates at Franklinville Skating Center for some extra skate time. Each kid is gauranteed 20 minutes of playing time. No more one inning. No more shuffled to the outfield. No more screaming abusive coaches.

With good general hockey skills but weak skating, my son joined the league. At practices, they concentrated on helping him develop his weakness. When he was visually struggling, the coach would send one of the more experienced players to help him. No ridiculing; no benching.

The kids on the team reflected the coach's attitude. While some were naturally more competitive than others, they overall relaxed. Now don't get me wrong, they were competitive. But it wasn't a do-or-I'll make you do laps threatened game playing tactics. Practices were fun as well as instructional. No players sat out. No players complained -- at least not without a smile on their face.

The coach didn't sit on the sides and yell directions. They were out on the ice teaching, showing, demonstrating, helping, guiding, and having just as much fun as the kids.

When was the last soccer or Little League game you went to where you saw the coach, even the losing coach, having fun and just enjoying the kids?