Sports or Vacation

[autumnbaby9]

After reading all the sports or vacation threads I have a question.

WHY do the schools always schedule games and practises during school breaks?

I always thought the school breaks were to give the kids and families some down time.

It seems to me that schools have decided that family time is no longer important. You can't go on vacation during the breaks because they schedule all the sports stuff during that time and they act like the world is going to come to an end if you plan a vacation during school time.

When are families suppost to have time together to bond or relax?

My DD is only 5 and we haven't had any problems like this yet, but a part of me hopes she doesn't choose to do sports. Which is sad because I believe team activities are good for children but I don't want to loose what little time I have with her while she is growing up.

 

[NMAmy]

It is difficult--particularly the older they get. My ex and I have joint custody of dd and have a court ordered holiday/vacation schedule. He and I have both had to point this out to various coaches. So far, they've all been understanding. I mean, we can't be the only divorced family, can we? Sheesh.

 

[mamacatnv]

Between DS's summer football and DD's year round school I have between the 28th of July and the 5th of August when they are both available for a family vacation. (besides Christmas & Spring Break) however Basketball travels to S. Calif or Oregon during Christmas for tournaments and Baseball goes to Santa Barbara during spring break for tournaments.

I think it is ridiculous and God forbid you try to take them on vacation, they can kiss playing said sport goodbye or the coaches pile so much guilt on them they have a hard time being away. It sucks - everyone is always talking about "family" time being so important but in reality it takes second place to the demands of a coach. By and large there is no value put into it compared to being at practice.

 

[Anewman]

After reading all the sports or vacation threads I have a question.

WHY do the schools always schedule games and practises during school breaks?

Well lets just count the sports at our school(only counting boys sports to avoid duplicates), some schools may actually have more.
1. Football
2. Tennis
3. Cross Country
4. Wrestling
5. Soccer
6. Basketball
7. Baseball
8. Golf
9. Track and Field
10. Water Polo
11. Swimming
12. Volleyball

Now remember that this is just boys, and each sport has MULTIPLE teams(Varsity, JV, etc...)

Aside from not being enough time in the school year, there is also not enough fields to share for practice at most schools.

Football games start the first week of school, do you suggest they go the first game without having conditioned or practiced?

I always thought the school breaks were to give the kids and families some down time.

It seems to me that schools have decided that family time is no longer important. You can't go on vacation during the breaks because they schedule all the sports stuff during that time and they act like the world is going to come to an end if you plan a vacation during school time.

When are families suppost to have time together to bond or relax?

Well for me an my children family time involves plenty of playing catch or working out together, that is during the season. And we do make the best on any long weekend or sports dead periods as possible.

My DD is only 5 and we haven't had any problems like this yet, but a part of me hopes she doesn't choose to do sports. Which is sad because I believe team activities are good for children but I don't want to loose what little time I have with her while she is growing up.

Here in SoCal, there are plenty of less demanding leagues and organizations for kids all the way up to their 18th birthday, if they dont want to compete in higher level sports they can still PLAY sports.

But I always taught my kids that if they make a commitment, they make a commitment.

 

[mamacatnv]

Football games start the first week of school, do you suggest they go the first game without having conditioned or practiced?

My DS plays H.S. football and Tryouts for Varsity as well as all practices officially start August 8th this year. What they don't bring up is that they start having scheduled days lifting weights in the spring after school. They are expected to attend summer conditioning in the mornings and early evenings every day from the Monday following the release of school in early June to the last day of July (except 4th of July) plus, a 4 day overnight football camp in mid-July. Now, prior to August 8th this is "not required" but if you don't go, you won't play, and that is a sad fact.

Also, all our HS athletes are expected to take Zero Period (6:45-7:50 AM) which is the hour before school officially starts where they lift weights, condition etc. the entire school year.

But I always taught my kids that if they make a commitment, they make a commitment.

I understand and agree with this, however I think the OP was just voicing a concern that the loss of school break time can be very difficult on the kids and their families.

Not all of us live in large metropolitan areas where there are plentiful sports organizations. Many of us only have access to Jr & High school sports when the kids reach that age.

 

[autumnbaby9]

But I always taught my kids that if they make a commitment, they make a commitment.

I never said they shouldn't stick to their commitment. I said I kinda wished my daughter wouldn't make that commitment in the first place.

A much as I feel sports are good and should be incuraged if the child shows interest, I feel family time is more important and that the schools don't seem to relize that.

If they tried to work with family schedules in anyway it would be different. Instead they guilt the child if they choose to do something other than sports practise or class.

 

[angelmom]

I think it's crazy that they can't miss a few practices and a game if need be for a family vacation. The team won't be ruined by a player missing here and there, and the players shouldn't be punished for doing so. I feel family vacations are important (yes you can still play catch and hang out together at other times) but an actual vacation gives everyone a chance to relax and not have other things going on. Missing something don't mean that you aren't commited. It seems like it has gotten way out of hand at such a young age. flame away

 

[mamacatnv]

I think it's crazy that they can't miss a few practices and a game if need be for a family vacation. The team won't be ruined by a player missing here and there, and the players shouldn't be punished for doing so. I feel family vacations are important (yes you can still play catch and hang out together at other times) but an actual vacation gives everyone a chance to relax and not have other things going on. Missing something don't mean that you aren't commited. It seems like it has gotten way out of hand at such a young age. flame away

No flames from me, I totally agree with you.

 

[autumnbaby9]

I think it's crazy that they can't miss a few practices and a game if need be for a family vacation. The team won't be ruined by a player missing here and there, and the players shouldn't be punished for doing so. I feel family vacations are important (yes you can still play catch and hang out together at other times) but an actual vacation gives everyone a chance to relax and not have other things going on. Missing something don't mean that you aren't commited. It seems like it has gotten way out of hand at such a young age. flame away

Exactly. It's not like everyone gets to play every game anyways. What does it hurt if a players misses a game or 2. It's not like they are deciding "I don't feel like going today" they are missing because of family time.

I get to take time off of work without my boss guilting me about it, why can't the students

 

[Anewman]

If the coach did not inform you of the commitment involved, that is one thing. I know my kids were always made well aware of what was expected each time they have tried out for a sport.
For baseball tryouts last week the Coaching staff actually tried to scare off as many as possible by over emphasizing the loss of spring break and weekend practices, nobody spoke up but I am sure some parents will still pull the "family time matters most" card when spring break comes around. It has happened both years my daughter has played high school softball, and I am glad the coaches held their ground both years even after the parents went to the principal and board.

If a baseball team consists of 14 players and each one misses a week... I assure you that if the coach allows one family to pull their kid out for a week, other families will expect the same. There are simply not enough weeks in the season(any sport). So yes it does hurt.

 

[mamacatnv]

If the coach did not inform you of the commitment involved, that is one thing. I know my kids were always made well aware of what was expected each time they have tried out for a sport.
For baseball tryouts last week the Coaching staff actually tried to scare off as many as possible by over emphasizing the loss of spring break and weekend practices, nobody spoke up but I am sure some parents will still pull the "family time matters most" card when spring break comes around. It has happened both years my daughter has played high school softball, and I am glad the coaches held their ground both years even after the parents went to the principal and board.

If a baseball team consists of 14 players and each one misses a week... I assure you that if the coach allows one family to pull their kid out for a week, other families will expect the same. There are simply not enough weeks in the season(any sport). So yes it does hurt.

The question remains....Why schedule this stuff during their official breaks. I can see some time in the summer, but all of Christmas & Spring break is too much IMO.

 

[auntpolly]

You'd be surprised what damage skipping a week or two in the middle of a season can do.

As a swimmer and runner if DD ever missed holiday practices it was only on the condition that she do the workouts while she was away. I imagine it's harder for teams that play actual games.

When the other schools are practicing, if yours doesn't, they won't come back from Christmas break winning many games or meets or whatever.

 

[Anewman]

The question remains....Why schedule this stuff during their official breaks. I can see some time in the summer, but all of Christmas & Spring break is too much IMO.

I thought I answered it, because there are so many sports and the school year is only so long. There is already too much overlap especially if a sport makes the playoffs.

Which sports would you cut out????

 

[mamacatnv]

I thought I answered it, because there are so many sports and the school year is only so long. There is already too much overlap especially if a sport makes the playoffs.

Which sports would you cut out????

No one is going to convince me that the reason the kids play during their breaks is due to field/gym usage.
It is about competing and winning, plain and simple. I am not against the theory, I just think that the emphasis on sports is much higher than it is on family time which is what the OP was talking about.

If the statewide governing bodies said no practice during breaks for all schools then it keeps the playing field level. Because the coaches have free reign they can demand whatever they want and parents are afraid to take them on knowing it will negatively affect their kids.

 

[wendy46001]

We would have practice during the holidays because it could be longer and during spring break twice a day....from an peak athletic position you dont want the time for your body to atrophy...Also when i coached our biggest races would always be the weekend after a holiday regional nationals etc...

but all race schedules are posted at the start of the season...so parents should be well aware of the dates

 

[Michie]

No one is going to convince me that the reason the kids play during their breaks is due to field/gym usage.
It is about competing and winning, plain and simple. I am not against the theory, I just think that the emphasis on sports is much higher than it is on family time which is what the OP was talking about.

If the statewide governing bodies said no practice during breaks for all schools then it keeps the playing field level. Because the coaches have free reign they can demand whatever they want and parents are afraid to take them on knowing it will negatively affect their kids.

What is wrong with winning?

My 2 boys, who are in college, have wrestled since middle school. Going to practise, meets and tournaments, that counted as family time. Most of the parents, if not ALL were very involved in the team.

 

[Anewman]

No one is going to convince me that the reason the kids play during their breaks is due to field/gym usage.

Did you get the impression that was the SOLE reason???
But if you dont think it is taken into consideration, think about this. If a high school has one gymnasium and you have boys WRESTLING, BASKETBALL and VOLLEYBALL Plus GIRLS versions of Basketball and volleyball all sharing it. Plus dont forget each sport has Varsity, JV and FROSH. So where would they all practice if the seasons overlapped more than they already do???

But it is mostly about TIME, if our school 13 boy sports and 11 girl sports, and the school year is 9 months...

Just looking at actual GAME SEASON not training camps for some sports(may depend on playoffs as well)
Football takes 3-4 months
Baseketball takes 2-3 months
Baseball takes 2-3 months

Your suggestion of them not practicing on weekends and breaks could only lead to more injuries because all the unprepared players taking the field.

 

[mamacatnv]

What is wrong with winning?

Nothing...........

I am not against the theory, I just think that the emphasis on sports is much higher than it is on family time which is what the OP was talking about

But if you dont think it is taken into consideration, think about this. If a high school has one gymnasium and you have boys WRESTLING, BASKETBALL and VOLLEYBALL Plus GIRLS versions of Basketball and volleyball all sharing it. Plus dont forget each sport has Varsity, JV and FROSH. So where would they all practice if the seasons overlapped more than they already do???

Around here the majority of play during Christmas & Spring breaks are for out of area tournaments, the school proper is usually deserted. As to practicing, all of our kids divisions have staggered practice times plus we have more than 1 gym and 1 patch of grass.

I am not against winning, I am not against practicing, I am not against kid's playing sports, I am all for all of it.
HOWEVER, the OP addressed the issue of sports being treated with more priority than family time and that is what this discussion started with.

 

[ozarkmom]

My son's have been involved in school sports and it does get frustrating when summer vacation is planned around sports and they have games/practice during the holidays. It's not just sports though I've talked to band parents and they're in the same boat.