205 It+is+clear+that+participation+in+athletics+has+many+educational+benefits%2e+Sport+has+the+power+to+combat+everything+from+racism%2c+to+low+self%2dimage%2c+to+the+high%2dschool+dropout+rate%2e+In+1997+a+North+Carolina+study+of+more+than+a+quarter+million+athletes+found+that+athletes+make+higher+grades%2c+get+into+less+trouble%2c+graduate+at+a+higher+rate%2c+dropout+less+often%2c+and+have+higher+GPAs+than+non%2dathletes%2e+And+for+girls%2c+the+Women%27s+Sports+Foundation+observed+that+female+athletes+were+92%25+less+likely+to+be+involved+with+drugs%2c+80%25+less+likely+to+get+pregnant%2c+and+three+times+more+likely+to+graduate+from+high+school%2e%0a%0aAlthough+it+is+clear+that+participation+in+athletics+has+many+educational+benefits%2c+many+school+districts+face+an+embarrassing+irony+%2d+they+accept+and+support+athletic+programs+that+exclude+those+students+who+stand+to+benefit+the+most+from+athletic+participation+%2d+the+low+skilled%2c+the+low+self%2desteem%2c+the+later+maturers%2c+and+students+whose+parents+did+not+or+could+not+support+AAU+and+private+instruction%2e+By+what+right+can+we+justify+cutting+students+who+want+to+participate+in+our+school+athletic+programs%2c+especially+when+these+programs+are+funded+by+community+tax+dollars%3f+Do+the+benefits+outweigh+the+harm%3f+What+do+you+think%3f%0a%0aThe+July+%26quot%3bCoaching+%26amp%3b+Sports%26quot%3b+section+of+the+PELINKS4U+web+site+addresses+this+topic+in+much+greater+detail%2e+%0a%5ctopurl%7bhttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2epelinks4u%2eorg%2fsections%2fcoaching%2fcoaching%2ehtm%2chttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2epelinks4u%2eorg%2fsections%2fcoaching%2fcoaching%2ehtm%7d%0a%0aAs+the+author+of+this+section%2c+I+am+interested+in+hearing+readers%27+comments+from+all+perspectives%2e+Please+read+the+July+%26quot%3bCoaching+%26amp%3b+Sports%26quot%3bsection+and+post+your+opinion+to+this+section+of+the+PE+Forum%2e+Be+sure+to+check+back+to+see+what+others+think%2e%0a%0aSteve+Jefferies%0aPELINKS4U+%26amp%3b+Central+Washington+University+Dept%2e+PEHLS%0a%0aPS%2e+In+case+you+didn%27t+know+if+you+complete+a+%26quot%3bUser+Profile%26quot%3b+for+the+Forum+you+can+indicate+that+you+would+like+to+receive+automatic+notification+via+email+of+any+new+contributions+to+this+section+of+the+Forum%2e+That+saves+%26quot%3bchecking+time%21%26quot%3b
206 I+went+to+a+high+school+where+cutting+wasn%27t+allowed%2c+the+reason%3a+because+we+were+lucky+to+get+enough+people+to+try+out+for+the+team%2e++This+past+year+I+coached+at+a+school+that+had+5+girls+and+5+boys+basketball+teams%2e++The+most+in+the+area%2e%2e%2ewe+had+to+cut%2e++If+we+wouldn%27t+have+cut+we+wouldn%27t+of+had+enough+facilities+to+accommodate+all+of+the+players%2e++Could+we+have+added+more+people+per+team%3f++No%2c+we+already+were+at+the+max%2e%2e%2e12+people+per+team%2c+on+a+sport+that+only+5+people+play+at+a+time%2e++If+we+would+have+added+more+then+those+that+are+high+skilled+wouldn%27t+of+received+the+playing+time+needed+to+excel%2e++I+believe+that+is+important+that+everyone+does+get+the+chance+to+play%2c+but+should+the+players+that+may+have+the+chance+to+go+farther+be+hurt+because+we+have+to+accomodate+everyone%3f++On+my+team+I+had+a+hard+time+playing+all+of+my+players%2c+I+had+very+high+skilled+and+low+skilled+and+I+did+try+to+make+it+as+fair+as+possible%2c+but+I+believe+that+the+high+skilled+still+suffered%21
276 It+was+not+until+recently+that+I+have+had+the+chance+to+experience+both+sides+of+this+issue%2e%0aI+was+an+athlete+in+high+school+and+took+great+pride+in+participating+in+Fall%2c+Winter%2c+and+Spring+sports%2e++I+was+never+cut+from+a+team%2e++The+teams+that+I+was+a+member+of+were+actually+almost+decided+before+tryouts+even+began%2e++The+girls+and+I+that+played+for+the+school+all+played+outside+of+school+together+too%2e+We+all+knew+that+we+would+make+the+team+and+even+laughed+behind+others+backs+that+tried+out+because+we+knew+they+wouldn%27t+make+it%2e++That+is+something+that+I+am+ashamed+of%2e++Now%2c+as+an+adult%2c+I+have+experienced+what+I+feel+to+be+is+the+other+side+of+the+spectrum%2e++I+had+the+great+opportunity+to+coach+last+year+and+was+faced+with+the+decision+to+make+cuts+to+the+team%2e++I+was+told+that+I+had+only+so+many+spots+on+the+team+due+to+uniforms%2e++The+girls+worked+so+hard+during+tryouts+and+I+grew+fond+of+each+one+of+them+throughout+the+week%2e++It+broke+my+heart+to+have+to+let+two+of+them+go%2e++It+was+difficult+to+choose+because+even+throughout+the+week+in+tryouts%2c+the+girls+were+improving+tremendously%21+When+it+came+down+to+it%2c+I+did+what+I+had+to+do%2e++The+looks+on+those+girl%27s+faces+broke+my+heart+and+I+will+never+forget+how+I+felt+during+that+moment%2e++%0aIn+closing+I+would+like+to+say+that+everyone%27s+time+will+come+when+they+will+no+longer+compete%2e+For+some%2c+it%27s+sooner+than+later%2e++Does+it+matter+now+that+you+won+the+high+school+district+championship+in+1995+because+you+kept+the+best+players+and+cut+the+worst%3f++Or+does+it+matter+that+some+people+had+the+time+of+their+life+because+they+were+part+of+something+special%2c+even+though+they+didn%27t+have+great+talent%2e
277 I+am+a+graduate+student+in+Exercise+Physiology+%2d+so+I+make+no+attempt+to+understand+the+%26quot%3brole%26quot%3b+of+a+teacher+in+molding+kids%2e+I+suppose%2c+though%2c+that+I+do+have+an+opinion+to+the+argument+of+%27no+cutting%27%2e+I+believe+that+if+the+coaching+staff+is+not+able+to+contend+with+every+one+that+WANTS+to+play+and+still+be+able+to+maximize+his%2fher+coaching+effectiveness+towards+the+A+%26amp%3b+B+squads+then+they+should+be+able+to+cut%2e+Coaching+positions%2c+in+most+areas+anyway+it+seems%2c+are+dictated+by+how+successful+the+seasons+are%2e+A+losing+record+looks+bad+in+the+eyes+of+the+community+and+they+can%2c+along+with+the+school+board%2c+determine+who+the+coaches+are+%28unless+I+am+mistaken%29%2e+So+if+the+coach+is+unable+to+produce+winning+teams+then+he%2fshe+will+be+replaced%2e+So+we+are+asking+the+coaches+to+do+it+all%2c+nurture+my+child+who+has+low+self%2desteem+and+yet+do+not+forget+if+the+team+does+not+win+then+you+lose+your+job%2e+In+my+experience+cutting+was+unnecessary+because+we+only+had+enough+players+for+a+varsity+team+and+JV+team%2c+but+at+the+same+time+we+had+enough+coaches+to+have+a+full+staff+for+both+the+JV+and+varsity%2e+If+we+had+had+3rd+and+4th+teams+the+coaching+staff+would+not+have+been+able+to+give+all+squads+ample+time+to+coaching%2e+Therefore+their+coaching+effectiveness+would+diminish%2e%0aThe+statements+about+sports+and+grades%2c+dropout+rates%2c+etc%2e+and+a+positive+relationship+are+very+feasible%2c+but+I+seem+to+look+at+them+in+another+way%2e+Could+it+be+the+opposite+that+students+who+have+the+high+self%2desteem+play+sports+and+that+that+self%2desteem+is+not+built+up+by+the+sport+but+is+already+in+place%3f+And+if+this+were+true+then+would+it+not+follow+that+these+%93confident%94+individuals+would+be+within+these+flattering+statistics+whether+or+not+they+played+sports%3f+Also%2c+do+these+statistics+say+that+its+only+sports+that+have+this+positive+relationship+or+do+other+extra%2dcurricular+activities+have+the+same+effect%3f%0aThere+is+also+the+question+that+if+we+do+not+cut+the+kids+and+they+are+allowed+to+play%2c+is+it+any+better+for+them+to+perform+poorly+in+front+of+their+peers+and+parents%2c+and+be+embarrassed+in+that+way%3f+At+least+being+cut+is+a+once+a+season+occurrence+that+sound+parents+should+be+able+to+help+their+child+deal+with%2c+while+poor+performance+is+put+on+display+weekly+during+the+game+and%2for+practice%2e+Is+it+better+to+be+cut+or+known+as+the+guy+on+the+F+squad%3f%0aRather+than+letting+cutting+or+not+cutting+be+a+practice+that+is+magnified+and+related+to+the+self%2desteem+of+children+and+that+that+self+esteem+is+either+being+built+up+or+destroyed+by+the+outcome+of+that+practice%2c+wouldn%92t+time+be+better+spent+on+why+this+child+has+low+self+esteem+in+the+first+place%3f+The+simple+fact+is+that+few+people+go+on+to+play+college+sports+and+even+fewer+to+Pro+sports%2c+so+if+they+need+sports+to+feel+good+then+what+will+they+have+when+they+are+no+longer+in+high+school+and+have+someone+that+will+let+them+play+sports%3f+Where+will+they+get+their+self%2desteem+then%3f+If+they+are+taught+too+build+their+self%2desteem+in+other+ways+then+wouldn%92t+that+transfer+better+into+their+life+after+high+school%3f+%0aIn+a+cushy+world+where+everything+was+perfect%2c+fair%2c+and+nice+it+would+be+ideal+to+have+a+no+cut+policy%2c+but+lets+get+real%2e+Adolescents+in+high+school+are+near+adulthood+and+should+be+able+to+cope+with+disappointments+in+life%2e+If+they+can+not+then+lets+look+at+why%2c+not+at+what+caused+their+disappointment%21%0aBen+Zepeda%2c+B%2e+S%2e
278 Looking+back+to+high+school+and+the+sports+teams+that+I+participated+on%2c+I+remember+the+first+two%2dweeks+of+tryouts+very+clearly%2e+Everybody+gets+nervous+the+night+before%2e+You+know+that+you+have+to+prove+your+talents+and+convince+your+coach+that+you+have+the+drive+to+succeed%2c+and+%28most+importantly%29+you+don%92t+want+to+get+%93cut%2e%94+%0a%09I+have+never+questioned+the+process+of+%93cutting%2c%94+but+knew+that+was+just+the+way+teams+were+chosen%2e+After+reading+the+articles+and+editorials+about+%93no%2dcutting+policies%94+I+am+beginning+to+question+the+practice+of+cutting%2c+but+two+questions+still+arise+when+I+consider+the+possibility+of+adopting+these+policies+in+our+schools%2e%0a%09My+question%92s+are+will+the+level+of+competition+and+drive+of+the+athlete+still+arise+if+the+fear+of+getting+cut+is+not+present%3f+And+how+will+coaches+handle+the+increased+number+of+kids%3f+%0aFor+those+of+us+who+have+tried+out+for+sport+teams%2c+we+know+the+turnout+that+you+can+expect+to+see+during+the+first+week+of+practice%2e+The+numbers+that+show+up+can+be+very+overwhelming%2c+and+if+a+coach+were+expected+to+coach+all+of+these+athletes+his+energies+and+resources+would+be+pretty+well+tapped+by+the+end+of+the+first+week%2e+Teachers+are+constantly+talking+about+their+increasing+class+size+and+their+inability+to+help+and+teach+all+of+their+students%2e++%0a%09We+also+know+that+all+the+athletes+that+try+out+don%92t+deserve+to+be+on+a+team%2e+Why%3f+They+do+not+show+up+prepared+and+ready+to+practice%2e+During+practice+their+drive+and+passion+for+the+game+is+not+apparent+and+they+do+not+encourage+the+spirit+of+the+team%2e+Why+should+these+people+be+allowed+to+participate+in+sports%3f+Have+they+earned+the+privilege%3f+I+think+that+is+an+important+real+world+issue%97working+hard+and+striving+for+something+that+you+really+want%2c+knowing+that+the+outcome+is+not+certain%2e+%0a%09Secondly%2c+the+fear+of+getting+cut+is+a+very+good+motivator%2e+Knowing+that+you+are+not+guaranteed+a+spot+on+the+team+until+you+have+proven+yourself+is+a+very+important+%93real+world%94+issue%2e+It+was+pointed+out+in+the+articles+that+educational+settings+are+needed+to+prepare+students+to+deal+with+real+world+issues+by+%93limiting+their+exposure+to+real+world+consequences+until+they+have+the+skills+to+successfully+cope%2e%94+I+believe+that+getting+cut+from%2c+for+example%2c+the+soccer+team+is+a+great+simulation+of+a+possible+real+world+consequence%2e+Not+getting+what+you+want+is+a+real+world+consequence%2c+and+learning+to+deal+with+it+is+a+very+important+coping+skill%2e%0a%09Although+these+readings+have+caused+me+to+consider+a+%93no%2dcutting+policy%2c%94+I+a+not+fully+convinced%2e+In+life+you+are+not+given+or+guaranteed+anything%2c+we+all+learn+that+anything+worth+having+is+worth+working+for%2e+By+adopting+a+no%2dcutting+policy+in+such+a+competitive+environment%2c+we+are+failing+to+educate+out+athletes+about+a+very+important+life+lesson+and+the+coping+skills+necessary+to+handle+it%2e++%0aKari+Langendorfer%2c+B%2eS%2e
279 After+reading+facts+and+opinions+from+both+sides+of+this+controversy%2c+I+am+still+torn+over+weather+or+not+a+%27no%2dcutting%27+policy+should+be+implemented+in+schools%2e++Some+really+good+arguments+have+been+made+that+support+both+sides%2e+For+instance%2c+in+high+school%2c+a+person%27s+self%2desteem+can+be+easily+damaged%2c+also+the+number+of+people+getting+cut+is+not+significant+enough+to+make+a+difference+on+the+budget%2e++On+the+other+side+of+the+argument%2c+it+was+brought+up+that+in+high+school+is+where+you+prepare+a+person+for+the+%27real+world%27+so+why+not+teach+what+it%27s+really+like+and+make+them+work+for+what+they+want%2e++Every+body+is+going+to+be+turned+down+for+a+job+once+in+their+lifetime%2c+why+shouldn%27t+they+be+prepared+for+that%3f++%0aI+have+played+several+sports+on+every+level+from+small+town+little+league+to+NCAA+Division+I%2e++I+have+also+seen+both+sides+of+this+controversy+on+every+level%2e+I+have+been+the+8+year+old+little+leaguer+who+did+not+get+any+playing+time%2c+while+the+coach%27s+kid+plays+the+whole+game%2e++I+have+played+on+JV+teams+were+I+was+not+good+enough+to+play+at+the+varsity+level%2c+but+still+wasn%27t+cut%2c+and+I+have+been+the+freshman+that+comes+in+and+takes+the+senior%27s+spot+on+the+team%2c+causing+them+to+get+cut%2e+I%27m+not+saying+that+any+of+these+ways+of+coaching+is+right+or+wrong%2c+but+there+is+times+where+it+is+appropiate%2e+%0aUntil+high+school%2c+I+believe+there+should+be+a+%27no%2dcutting%27+policy%2e+Athletes+are+still+trying+to+learn+new+strategies%2c+and+skills%2c+and+in+many+times%2c+just+starting+a+new+sport+and+they+should+have+an+opportunity+to+play+in+games+and+further+develop+thier+skill%2e++Having+a+JV+team+or+a+%27B%27+or+%27C%27+team+is+one+way+that+gets+everybody+involved+in+a+sport+at+thier+own+level%2c+and+allows+them+to+improve%2e++In+high+school%2c+you+can+unsually+tell+who+is+going+to+get+the+sport+and+who+just+does+not+have+what+it+takes%2e++I+believe+high+school+sports+should+be+allowed+to+cut+athletes+under+certain+conditions%2e+++Most+schools+have+varsity+and+JV+teams+and+many+even+have+freshman+and+%27C%27+teams%2e++This+allows+for+everyone+to+have+an+opportunity+to+play+without+cutting+anyone%2e++%0aEven+though+it+would+be+nice+if+everyone+could+stay+on+the+team+and+play%2c+it%27s+not+feasible+in+all+situations%2e++Many+sports+can+only+put+so+many+people+on+thier+roster%2e++I+seen+a+situation+many+times+in+high+school+that+made+me+so+mad+and+I+feel+greatly+affected+the+team%2e++Under+most+curcumstances+a+senior+cannot+play+on+a+JV+team%2e++Many+people+at+my+high+school+would+go+years+without+playing+a+sport+and+turn%2dout+their+senior+year+because+they+knew+they+would+not+cut+them%2c+and+it+was+thier+one+chance+to+letter+in+a+sport%2e++If+there+is+a+limit+on+the+number+of+players%2c+or+uniforms+a+team+has%2c+then+this+means+a+person+who+is+more+qualified+to+be+on+the+varsity+team+loses+thier+spot+on+someone+who+is+basically+just+taking+up+space+on+the+bench%2c+and+many+time+will+not+even+be+subed+in+until+the+score+is+so+uneven+that+it+wont+matter%2e+This+hurts+the+rest+of+the+team+because+it+is+one+less+person+that+they+have+to+contribute+off+the+bench%2e++I+feel+the+person+who+didn%27t+get+cut+from+the+team+will+do+nothing+but+slow+a+team+down%2e++Many+times+these+people+are+slower%2c+and+may+not+understand+the+drills+as+well+as+their+other+teammates%2e++This+slows+the+whole+momentum+of+the+practice+because+drills+are+stopped+to+explain+a+play+to+this+person%2c+or+the+pace+of+a+drill+may+be+slowed+to+wait+for+them%2e++This+hurts+everyone%2e++%0aAs+a+person+goes+through+high+school%2c+they+are+preparing+for+life%2e++Why+do+we+hand+everything+to+them+and+treat+them+like+little+children%3f++So+what+if+they+cut+from+a+team+and+have+their+feelings+hurt+for+a+day+or+two%2e++It+will+just+toughen+them+up+for+that+first+job+they+don%27t+get%2e++If+we+are+so+worried+about+equal+opportunities+for+everyone+to+improve+thier+skill+in+something+should+we+let+everyone+into+the+advanced+placement+calculus+class+even+though+they+almost+failed+basic+math%3f++%0aI+understand+the+points+made+on+both+sides+of+this+argument%2c+and+agree+with+many+of+them%2c+and+even+though+I+am+still+torn+between+sides%2c+I+have+to+lean+more+towards+cutting+the+athlete+if+they+cannot+compete+at+a+level+that+is+equal+to+the+teams+level%2e++There+are+many+other+ways+to+improve+on+your+own%2c+and+many+other+teams+they+can+compete+on%2e+If+you+are+not+going+to+get+alot+of+playing+time+you+are+not+going+to+improve%2c+you+are+just+wasting+your+time%2e++Having+a+JV+team+and+letting+them+play+would+be+ideal%2c+but+sometimes+its+just+not+possible%2c+and+you+have+to+let+them+go%2e
280 My+personal+experience+with+%26quot%3bcutting%26quot%3b+is+very+limited%2e+I+come+from+small%2c+private+schools+that+never+had+cuts+because+of+the+lack+of+athletes+within+the+school%2e+Everyone+got+to+be+on+the+team%2c+but+those+less+skilled+hardly+ever+played%2e+However%2c+this+does+not+mean+that+I+have+never+seen+or+experienced+what+it+feels+like+to+be+rejected+from+something+that+I+wanted%2e+The+side+which+states+that+everyone+makes+the+team+raises+a+question+to+me+of+why+should+we+even+keep+kids+on+the+team+if+they+are+not+playing+and+possibly+hurting+other+players+by+their+mistakes+and+lack+of+skill%2e+I+am+not+trying+to+insensitive%2c+but+there+comes+a+point+when+coaches+need+to+decide+if+they+want+to+cater+to+every+athlete+on+the+team+who+may+not+have+as+much+ability+for+the+sport%2c+or+weed+out+the+ones+who+may+do+better+in+some+other+type+of+activity%2e+By+cutting+kids+from+sports+that+they+are+not+good+at%2c+we+are+simply+giving+them+an+opportunity+to+develop+skills+somewhere+else+that+may+suit+them+better+in+the+long+run%2e+For+instance%2c+what+if+I+tried+out+for+the+debate+team+in+high+school%2c+knowing+that+I+hate+to+speak+in+front+of+large+groups+or+knowing+that+there+would+be+a+lot+more+kids+that+truely+want+to+be+there%2e+Why+would+I+put+myself+through+such+embarressment+and+stress%3f+It+is+the+same+with+sports+teams%2e+If+you+know+you+are+not+particularly+good+at+something%2c+why+force+it%2e+I+think+that+most+of+time%2c+it+is+the+parents+anyways+who+are+putting+the+pressure+on+their+kids+to+be+the+next+Michael+Jordan%2e+%0aCutting+occurs+in+all+areas+of+life%2c+especially+in+school%2e+Not+everyone+is+going+to+be+in+AP+classes%2c+or+make+the+chess+team%2c+but+these+are+excepted+as+suitable+areas+to+descriminate+in%2e+The+same+should+apply+to+sports%2c+where+cutting+is+giving+kids+a+sense+of+understanding+that+they+will+not+always+get+all+the+promotion+or+job+they+want+in+life%2e+%0aThe+point+was+raised+on+this+site+that+kids+who+do+not+participate+in+sports+tend+to+drop+out+of+school+or+get+pregnant+more+often+in+certain+cases%2e+I+feel+that+these+kids+are+a+different+type+of+child%2c+who+generally+are+not+going+to+tryout+for+the+sports+team+anyways+because+it+is+obviously+something+that+does+not+interest+them+in+the+first+place%2e+I+think+we+all+know+what+type+of+child+I+am+talking+about+too%2e+The+bottom+line+is+that+kids+are+always+going+to+be+faced+with+realities+that+they+do+not+want+to+deal+with%2c+and+cuting+is+a+way+of+teaching+them+early+on+that+life+isn%27t+always+going+to+go+your+way%2e
281 Because+of+my+experience+as+a+coach+and+an+athlete+I+see+both+sides+of+this+contraversial+issue%2e++I+commented+on+this+issue+on+Nov%2e+1st+and+posted+my+comments+as+anonymous%2e++I%27d+like+to+look+at+my+comments+now+and+support+them%2e++I+stated+that+having+to+cut+some+players+from+a+team+broke+my+heart%2e+This+comment+may+have+led+you+to+think+that+I+am+supporting+a+no%2dcut+policy%2e++I+am%2c+but+only+up+to+a+certain+age+level%2e++I+can%27t+give+you+a+specific+age+at+which+I+believe+cutting+in+sports+should+be+implemented%2e++Maybe+it+should+be+High+School%2e++Many+people+have+their+opinions+about+that+cut+off%2e+I+can+only+say+that+it+is+appropriate+to+keep+in+mind+that+children+are+continually+growing+and+learning+skills+when+they+try+out+for+a+sport%2e++To+cut+them+is+to+deny+them+the+chance+to+excell+at+something+they+have+the+potential+to+excell+in%2e++The+National+Alliance+for+Youth+Sports+organization+has+a+wonderful+coache%27s+code+of+ethics%2e++One+of+the+promises+on+this+code+states%2c+%26quot%3bI+will+treat+each+player+as+an+individual%2c+remembering+the+large+range+of+emotional+and+physical+development+for+the+same+age+group%2e%26quot%3b++This+statement+really+rings+true+for+what+I+feel%2e++Each+young+athlete+needs+the+chance+to+develop+both+emotionally+and+physically+in+a+sport%2e++Cutting+children+will+only+deny+them+that+choice%2e
282 The+elimination+of+children+or+%26quot%3bcutting%26quot%3b+from+athletic+programs+is+obviously+a+controversial+topic%2e++For+the+purpose+of+this+assignment%2c+I+will+look+at+this+issue+as+it+involves+high+school+adolescents%2e++As+we+all+have+read%2c+there+are+many+pros+and+cons+to+the+facilitation+of+cutting+strategies%2e++In+order+to+make+a+logical+conclusion%2c+we+must+look+at+the+facts%2e%0a%0aIs+there+scientific+data+supporting+the+benefits+of+athletic+participation+%28i%2ee%2e+improved+self%2desteem%2c+better+grades%2c+etc%29%3f++Yes%2e++%0aExample%3a++A+three%2dyear%2c+statewide+study+of+academic+performance+of+high+school+student%2dathletes+compared+to+non%2dathletes+in+North+Carolina+resulted+in+the+attainment+of+significant+data+supporting+the+benefits+of+athletic%2e++The+five+criteria+used+were+grade%2dpoint+average%2c+discipline+referrals%2c+attendance+rate%2c+dropout+rate%2c+and+graduation+rate%2e%0aResults%3a+++++++++++++++Athletes++vs%2e+Non%2dathletes%0aGrade+point%3a%09+++++++++2%2e86%09+vs%2e++++1%2e96%0aDiscipline+Referrals%3a%0930%2e51%25+++vs%2e+%0940%2e29%25%0aAbsences%28out+of+180+days%296%2e52++++vs%2e+%0912%2e57%0aDropout+Rate%09+++++++++%2e7%25+++++vs%2e+%098%2e98%25%0aGraduation+Rate%09%0999%2e56%25+++vs%2e+%0994%2e66%25%0a%0aCould+I+find+any+scientific+evidence+proving+that+cutting+was+beneficial+or+that+not+cutting+causes+other+athletes%27+developmental+potential+to+be+diminished+and%2for+that+the+athletic+program+could+be+weakened%3f++No%2e++This+may+be+due+to+the+difficulty+in+creating+such+a+study%2c+however%2c+the+fact+still+remains+that+there+is+not+substantial+proof+that+cutting+is+mandatory%2c+necessary%2c+or+beneficial%2e++So+what+about+the+popular+concerns+against+a+non%2dcutting+philosophy%3f%0a%0a%09%2dThe+level+of+play+%28competition%29+will+decrease+with+the+low%2dskilled+players%2e%0a%09This+really+shouldn%27t+be+a+concern%3b+this+is+what+levels+of+skill+are+for+%28C+Squad%2c+J%2eV%2e%2c+etc%2e%29%2e++However%2c+this+becomes+a+concern+if+the+facilities%2c+resources%2c+or+budget+of+the+school%2fcoach%28es%29+are+lacking%2e++In+this+case%2c+all+attempts+should+be+made+to+accommodate+the+athletes+participating+in+the+activity%2e++Any+lack+of+%26quot%3battention%26quot%3b+or+%26quot%3bcompetition%26quot%3b+the+more%2dgifted+athletes+experience+due+to+the+integration+of+less%2dgifted+athletes+is+a+factor%2c+however+is+minimal+compared+to+the+losses+that+the+less%2dgifted+athlete+suffers+if+he%2fshe+is+cut%2e++Besides%2c+coaches+should+be+anxious+to+help+the+more+gifted+athletes%2c+and+all+athletes+for+that+matter%2c+on+refining+their+skills+in+times+other+than+practice%2e%0a%0a%09%2dBudget+restrictions+on+high+school+sports+programs%2e%0a%09This+was+touched+on+the+last+topic%2e++Tax%2dpayers+%28parents%29+are+paying+for+the+programs%2c+therefore+their+children+should+be+allowed+to+play%2c+improve%2c+and+receive+the+benefits+that+have+been+shown+to+occur+through+involvement+in+athletics%2e++If+lack+of+resources+is+something+that+actually+exists%2c+the+coaches+should+seek+ways+to+provide+the+necessary+resources+in+order+to+preserve+the+benefits+gained+through+athletic+involvement%2e%0a%0a%09%2dPressures%2fimportance+of+winning%2e%0a%09Yes%2c+winning+is+important%2e++Everybody+I+know+wants+to+win%2c+especially+me%2e++However%2c+it+is+not+as+important+%28when+looking+at+the+whole+picture%29+as+the+benefits+the+athletes+get+out+of+sport%2e++Parents+want+to+see+their+children+improve%2c+get+an+equal+chance+to+play%2c+and+if+possible+win%2e++This+goes+back+to+the+levels+of+competition%2e++I+believe+the+only+place+where+winning+should+have+the+significance+is+on+varsity+athletics%2e++This+is+where+the+school+pride%2frecognition+comes+in+and+is+relatively+important+to+the+well+being+of+many+people%2c+athletes%2c+coaches%2c+students%2c+teachers%2c+and+alumni+alike%2e++Although+the+varsity+level+of+competition+deserves+its+fair+share+of+stress+on+winning%2c+the+JV%2c+C%2dSquad%2c+and+other+levels+should+be+exclusively+developmental%2c+where+kids+have+a+chance+to+receive+every+benefit+of+being+included+in+an+athletic+program%2e%0a%0aThese+are+just+a+few+of+the+concerns+associated+with+a+non%2dcutting+philosophy%2e++However%2c+every+argument+in+favor+of+cutting+carries+the+same+amount+of+weight+as+the+ones+that+I+just+stated%2e++The+underlining+factor+is+that+whatever+difficulties%2c+dilemmas%2c+qualms%2c+concerns%2c+and+possible+disadvantages+that+exist+with+the+inclusion+of+less%2dtalented+athletes+in+an+athletic+program+are+minimal+compared+to+what+the+less%2dtalented+athletes+would+lose+by+being+cut%2e++Scientific+data+shows+it+and+logic+infers+it%2e++Due+to+this+I+take+the+stance+that+the+cutting+of+athletes+is+inappropriate+and+should+be+avoided+whenever+possible%2e
283 In+regards+to+the+topic+of+cutting+children+from+school+sports%2c+I+am+caught+in+the+middle%2e++I+grew+up+in+a+small+community+where+making+the+team+was+a+given%2e++There+was+no+such+thing+as+try%2douts%2e++I+had+every+opportunity+to+participate+in+a+variety+of+sports%3b+some+I+did+well+in+and+some+I+did+not%2e++Dr%2e+Jeffries+points+out+that+in+areas+where+a+no%2dcut+policy+has+been+implemented+%26quot%3bstudents+are+choosing+to+be+a+part+of+a+program+even+in+the+absence+of+extensive+game+participation%2e%26quot%3b++This+is+an+important+point%2e++In+my+experiences%2c+I+did+not+always+get+to+be+a+starter%2c+or+play+in+every+quarter%2c+but+I+was+part+of+the+team%2e++The+point+is+that+I+was+given+the+chance+to+try%2e++%26quot%3bA+no%2dcut+policy+would+simply+gurarantee+students+the+right+to+participate+and+learn%2c%26quot%3b+%28No%2dcut+policies%3a+Fancies+and+Facts%29%2e++However%2c+my+very+first+experience+with+have+to+%26quot%3btry%2dout%26quot%3b+for+an+activity+came+with+trying+out+for+the+cheerleading+squad%3b+a+sport+in+itself%2e++When+time+came+to+show+my+stuff+I+was+not+prepared+and+consequently+did+not+make+the+team%2e++This+experience+was+exactly+as+Dr%2e+Jeffries+described%2c+%26quot%3bhumilitating+and+embarrassing%2e%26quot%3b++However%2c+I+was+taught+the+importance+of+practice%2c+and+when+my+chance+came+around+again+my+skills+had+improved+to+the+extent+that+I+made+the+team%2e++In+this+situation+I+needed+to+be+cut%2c+my+lack+of+appropriate+skills+would+have+been+damaging+to+the+team%2e++Opposers+of+the+no%2dcut+policy+argue+that+%26quot%3bcutting+students+is+the+best+option%2e++Life+involves+successes+and+failures%2e++Preparing+students+for+life+involves+exposing+them+to+the+realities+of+their+own+abilities%2e%26quot%3b++In+this+situation+I+needed+to+be+cut+in+order+to+learn+the+necessity+of+improving+my+skills%2e++I+believe+it+is+important+to+give+students+ample+opportunities+to+experience+a+variety+of+sports+and+activities+within+our+public+schools%2c+and+if+there+must+be+limitations+then+that+is+for+the+school+boards+to+decide%2e++%26quot%3bThe+school+board%2das+an+elected+body%2dis+entrusted+to+implement+policy+that+best+serves+the+educational+needs+of+all+children+in+the+district%2c%26quot%3b+%28Ellensburg+Co%2dCurricular+Committee%29%2e++As+a+parent%2c+I+have+a+responsibility+to+teach%2c+encourage%2c+and+support+my+child+in+the+activities+they+show+interest+in%2e++If+my+child+is+in+a+%26quot%3bcut%26quot%3b+situation+I+again+have+a+responsibility+to+help+my+child+review+their+performance+to+determine+what+went+wrong%2c+how+they+can+improve%2c+and+whether+or+not+they+want+to%2e
284 Opinion%3a++To+Cut+or+Not+to+Cut+Kids+from+sports+teams%0a%0a%09While+considering+the+question+of+whether+or+not+children+should+be+cut+from+sports+teams%2c+several+thoughts+immediately+leapt+to+mind%2e++Chief+among+them+was+that+cutting+children+from+sports+teams+might+well+do+short%2dterm+damage+to+their+fragile+egos+or+collective+sense+of+self+worth%2e++May+I+respond+by+saying%2c+so+what%3f++I+would+ask+Dr%2e+Jeffries+to+point+out+to+me+any+other+important+fields+of+endeavor+where+people+are+not+judged+by+their+performance%2e%0a%0a%09Athletics+are+by+nature+a+competitive+universe%2e++This+should+logically+tell+us+that+some+athletes+are+going+to+be+better+than+others%2e++In+this+way%2c+athletics+mirror+life%2e++It+is+a+cold+hard+fact+that+we+are+not+all+given+the+same+abilities%2e++Children+should+learn+that+they+will+not+always+be+the+best%2c+and+that+sometimes+there+are+standards+that+must+be+met+for+them+to+be+included%2e%0a%0a%09Of+course%2c+I+believe+that+the+teaching+of+these+lessons+should+not+be+unnecessarily+harsh+or+cruel%2c+and+that+they+should+be+age%2dappropriate%2e++Having+stated+that%2c+the+lessons+should+nevertheless+be+taught%2e++One+of+the+websites+offered+for+consideration+told+us+that+it+was+a+lie+that+Michael+Jordan+was+cut+from+any+basketball+team+during+his+early+teens%2e++We+were+told+that+he+was+%93reassigned%94+or+some+such+other+euphemism%2e++I+should+like+to+point+out+that+being+%93reassigned%94+from+the+Varsity+team+to+the+Junior+Varsity+is+in+fact+being+cut+from+the+Varsity+team%2e++Just+as+being+%93down%2dsized%94+still+means+that+you%92ve+lost+your+job%2c+even+if+it+isn%92t+stated+quite+as+bluntly+as+it+might+have+been%2e%0a%0a%09Further%2c+the+idea+that+keeping+kids+in+the+program%2c+at+say+the+high+school+level%2c+will+somehow+help+them+develop+skills+or+self%2desteem+deserves+deeper+consideration%2e++It+is+true+that+JV+teams+are+developmental+in+nature%2e++Kids+who+are+cut+from+the+Varsity+squad+may+choose+to+participate+at+the+JV+level%2e++My+argument+with+this+is+that+not+all+kids+at+the+JV+level+will+even+play+there%2e++A+child+will+not+play+simply+because+he%2fshe+is+on+the+team%2e++Does+it+do+the+child%92s+ever%2dprecious+self%2desteem+any+good+to+simply+%93ride+the+pine%94%3f++Doesn%92t+the+coach+owe+it+to+the+team+as+a+whole+to+field+the+best+players+to+represent+the+team%3f%0a%0a%09It+was+my+experience+that+upper+class+athletes+who+did+not+make+Varsity+would+simply+choose+not+to+participate+on+their+own%2e++Even+in+practice%2c+the+lesser+players+will+receive+little+to+nothing+in+the+way+of+instruction+because+the+coaching+staff+is+busy+preparing+the+players+who+will+make+the+best+contributions+to+the+team+for+the+week%92s+coming+opposition%2e++Again%2c+where+is+the+value+to+the+player+who+probably+should+have+been+cut%3f%0a%0a%09I+must+again+stress+my+belief+that+the+cutting+policy+should+be+age%2dappropriate%2e++At+the+Middle+School+or+Junior+High+level%2c+schools+should+allow+the+maximum+number+of+players+to+participate+that+they+can+afford%2c+even+if+this+means+fielding+multiple+teams%2e++My+reasoning+for+this+is+that+it+is+at+this+level+that+students+are+working+towards+their+potential+and+may+in+fact+learn+the+skills+and+strategies+necessary+to+continue+on+to+levels+of+higher+competition%2e++However%2c+by+the+time+High+School+rolls+around+the+policy+should+become+increasingly+more+strict+for+the+reasons+previously+stated%2e%0a%0a%09The+issue+of+the+educational+nature+of+school+sports+is+often+raised+when+discussing+this+subject%2e++My+question+is+exactly+what+lesson+are+the+students+to+learn%3f++Isn%92t+it+educational+to+teach+some+real%2dworld+lessons+regarding+competition+and+disappointment%3f++Regardless+of+what+your+parents+may+have+told+you%2c+you+cannot+be+anything+you+want+to+be%2e++We+are+all+born+with+certain+talents%2e++While+some+of+us+may+have+what+it+takes+s+to+be+competitive+athletes+at+the+High+School+level%2c+others+of+us+may+not%2e++There+are+no+guarantees%2c+and+a+policy+of+no+cutting+from+school+sports+will+not+change+that%2e%0a%0a%09My+second+thought+is+more+of+a+question+that+sticks+in+my+mind%2e++Why+is+this+lovey%2ddovey+thinking+we+are+discussing+only+applied+to+school+sports%3f++I+wonder+if+Dr%2e+Jeffries+might+feel+that+the+same+rationale+should+be+applied+to+academics%2e++On+the+basic+information+website+provided%2c+several+statistics+were+provided+to+show+that+student%2dathletes+often+have+lower+incidences+of+various+social+ills%2e++These+facts+were+used+to+argue+that+perhaps+we+should+allow+more+children+to+participate+in+sports+and+then+more+of+our+children+would+fall+into+these+more+acceptable+categories%2e%0a%0a%09If+we+apply+the+same+argument+to+academics%2c+it+could+be+argued+that+students+with+certain+specialized+degrees+or+advanced+education+are+more+likely+to+get+better+jobs%2c+have+a+higher+income%2c+have+a+higher+net+worth%2c+and+have+better+access+to+health+care%2e++Well%2c+I+suppose+we%92d+better+not+have+any+standards+for+college+or+program+admissions%2e++It+really+doesn%92t+matter+if+you+don%92t+score+high+enough+on+your+placement+tests%2c+we%92ll+let+you+into+CALC+II+anyways%2e++After+all%2c+we+don%92t+want+to+hurt+your+feelings+or+hamper+your+future%2e++Everyone+should+have+the+chance+to+get+a+Doctorate+degree%2e++The+only+prerequisite+to+do+so+should+be+the+simple+desire+to+participate+in+the+program%2e%0a%09%0a%09Obviously+these+ideas+do+not+hold+the+proverbial+water+in+this+case%2e++Why%3f++Because+in+the+reality+we+must+all%2c+at+some+point%2c+face%2c+it+would+be+realized+that+student+%91X%92+may+have+his+advanced+degree+in+Computer+Science%2c+but+he+does+not+possess+the+skills+one+would+expect+of+such+a+person%2c+and+he+would+be+terminated+from+his+position%2e++In+other+words%2c+he+would+be+cut+from+the+team%2e++Similarly%2c+I+believe+that+a+child+who+cannot+play+his+or+her+instrument+with+sufficient+proficiency+would+not+be+allowed+in+the+school%92s+Jazz+Quartet%2e++He+would+audition%2c+and+then+be+%28you+guessed+it%29+cut+from+the+team%2e%0a%0aIn+conclusion%2c+children+do+not+have+the+right+to+participate+in+school+athletics%2c+any+more+than+they+have+the+right+to+passing+grades+in+the+classroom+or+to+participate+in+other+extracurricular+activities+for+which+the+commensurate+skills+are+not+present%2e++There+are+many+other+options+available+for+children+who+wish+to+play+sports%2e++Not+all+sports+are+school%2d+oriented%2e++There+are+private+leagues%2c+club+teams%2c+and+activity+groups%2e++I+believe+it+is+important+for+all+children+to+maintain+an+active+and+healthy+lifestyle%2e++This+may+or+may+not+mean+school+sports%2e
285 Young+Bobby+a+marginal+student+and+a+lonely+outsider+from+a+broken+family%2c+has+developed+a+passion+for+basketball%2e++He+watches+the+NBA+games+every+weekend%2c+buys+trading+cards%2c+memorizes+player+statistics+and+dreams+of+dribbling%2c+shooting%2c+scoring+and+defending+with+all+the+other+boys+he+goes+to+school+with%2e++He+eagerly+anticipates+the+team+tryouts+and+practices+shooting+baskets+on+his+own+in+his+driveway%2e++His+mother+encourages+him+to+turn+out+as+in+hopes+that+he%92ll+make+new+friends%2c+watch+less+TV%2c+play+less+video+games%2c+and+learn+the+values+of+fair+play+and+competition%2e++The+turnout+day+finally+comes+and+he+shows+up+at+the+gym+with+his+spindly+legs+sticking+out+of+a+baggy+pair+of+shorts%2e++%0a%0aThe+coach%2c+a+school+hero+who+played+college+ball+before+becoming+a+youth+coach+runs+the+candidates+through+a+series+of+drills+and+mock+games%2e++After+three+days+of+practice+he+announces+to+Bobby+that+he%92s+simply+not+good+enough+to+play+for+Hogdodge+High+School%2e++He+explains+to+Bobby+that+he+only+has+so+many+positions+to+fill+and+he+must+fill+them+with+skillful+players%2e++He+tells+Bobby+to+practice+a+lot+on+his+own+and+to+come+back+in+a+year+and+maybe+then+he+can+play%97if+he%92s+good+enough+to+survive+the+cuts%2e+%0a%0aAs+a+parent%2c+Health+Educator+and+strength+and+conditioning+coach%2c+I+find+the+practice+of+cutting+children+from+school+sponsored+athletics+to+be+incompatible+with+the+goals+of+raising+children+to+be+healthy%2c+fit%2c+and+active+adults%2e++A+recent+Report+of+the+Surgeon+General+%28Centers+for+Disease+Control%2c+2001%29+provided+some+gripping+statistics%3a+%93Nearly+half+of+American+youths+aged+12%2d21+years+are+not+vigorously+active+on+a+regular+basis%2e%94++This+prevalent+inactivity+is+in+diametric+contrast+to+their+conclusion+that+%93Adolescents+and+young+adults%2c+both+male+and+female%2c+benefit+from+physical+activity%2e%94++This+statement+may+seem+trite+and+obvious+to+health+and+physical+educators+who+have+long+touted+the+necessity+of+fitness+as+part+of+a+healthful+lifestyle%2e++Nonetheless%2c+we+acknowledge+and+appreciate+the+late+but+no+less+welcome+support+of+the+US+government+with+what+to+some+among+us+is+a+lifelong+crusade%2e+%0a%0aThe+conclusion+of+the+CDC+is+further+supported+by+the+very+health+goals+for+our+nation+outlined+in+Healthy+People+2010+%28US+Department+of+Health+and+Human+Services+%28DHHS%29+2001%29+that+stipulate+that+we+%93Increase+the+proportion+of+adolescents+who+engage+in+vigorous+physical+activity+that+promotes+cardio+respiratory+fitness+3+or+more+days+per+week+for+20+minutes+or+more+per+occasion%2e%94+Healthy+People+2010+reports+our+current+baseline+of+adolescent+vigorous+exercise+at+65%25+with+a+ten%2dyear+goal+of+raising+this+level+of+participation+to+85%25+or+more%2e++Further%2c+longitudinal+research+has+demonstrated+the+physical+fitness+activity+levels+of+pre+and+early+pubescent+children+is+a+reliable+indicator+of+their+activity+level+in+post+adolescence+and+quite+possibly+adulthood+as+well+%28Janz%2c+Dawsen%2c+and+Mahoney%2c+2000%29%2e%0a%0aOne+might+be+tempted+to+point+out+that+it+is+the+job+of+physical+educators+and+their+classes+to+meet+the+fitness+needs+of+adolescents+but+obviously%2c+PE+programs%2c+while+helpful+and+perhaps+necessary%2c+are+inadequate+in+many+if+not+most+school+districts%2e++PE+is+rarely+a+daily+requirement+and+often+is+required+only+2+or+3+days+per+week%2e++The+President%92s+Council+on+Physical+Fitness+recently+reported+that+only+19%25+of+all+high+school+students+were+physically+active+for+20%2b+minutes+5+days+per+week%2e++This+declivity+away+from+regular+physical+education+is+increasing%2e++Daily+enrollment+for+high+school+students+in+physical+education+classes+dropped+from+42%25+to+25%25+according+to+the+President%92s+Council+on+Physical+fitness+and+Sports%2e++%0a%0aActive%2c+enthusiastic+and+widespread+involvement+in+youth+sports+may+be+the+most+logical+place+for+our+children+to+establish+and+maintain+healthful+activity+levels%2e++Clearly%2c+it+is+our+extracurricular+sports+programs+that+need+to+pick+up+the+adolescent+fitness+ball%2e++School+sponsored+sports+programs+pick+up+where+physical+education+programs+leave+off%2e++School+sponsored+programs+offer+inexpensive+opportunities+for+children+to+learn%2c+play%2c+and+appreciate+sports+and+therefore+may+be+the+best+conduit+for+channeling+kids+into+lifelong+activity%2e++This+conclusion+is+supported+by+Healthy+People+2010+wherein+it+is+stated+that+communities+should+%93Provide+a+range+of+extracurricular+programs+in+schools+to+meet+the+needs+and+interests+of+specific+adolescent+and+young+adult+populations%2e%94+Obviously%2c+creating+a+sports+program+and+then+purposefully+and+systematically+limiting+participation+to+the+program+is+not+in+compliance+with+this+recommendation+in+action+or+spirit%2e+Healthy+People+2010+also+recommends+that+communities+%93Create+opportunities+for+physical+activities+that+are+enjoyable+and+promote+adolescent%92s+and+young+adults+confidence+in+their+ability+to+be+physically+active%2e%94+It+is+hard+to+believe+that+being+cut+from+a+sport+fosters+a+child%92s+confidence+in+any+way%2c+let+alone+being+physically+active%2e+Do+our+children+really+need+to+be+told+by+coaches+and+athletic+directors+that+they+don%92t+measure+up%3f+Does+cutting+really+prepare+them+for+disappointments+in+adult+life%3f++Should+that+be+the+goal+and+purpose+of+school+athletics%3f++Is+there+a+shortage+of+disappointing+%93learning+opportunities%94+for+our+kids+these+days%3f++I+think+not%2e%0a%0aIs+it+our+duty+as+coaches+to+foster+confidence+in+our+young+athletes%3f++I+say+%93yes%2c%94+and+the+professional+vocation+of+youth+coaching+supports+this+ethic%2e++The+National+Alliance+for+Youth+Sports+%28NAYS%2c+2001%29+has+published+a+code+of+ethics+for+its+members%2e++Among+these+is+the+pledge+that%2c+%93I+will+remember+that+I+am+a+youth+sports+coach+and+that+the+game+is+for+children+and+not+adults%2e%94+While+proponents+of+cutting+propose+that+the+practice+is+very+similar+to+what+professionals+encounter+in+their+careers+in+the+way+of+being+passed+up+for+promotion+we+must+acknowledge+that+children+are+not+adults+and+should+not+be+presumed+to+have+the+same+ability+to+walk+away+from+disappointment+unshaken+and+with+their+self+esteem+intact%2e++%0a%0aChildren+are+either+helped+or+harmed+by+their+sports+experiences%2d%2dthey+are+never+unaffected%2e+The+winning+of+games+is+not+the+only+determinate+of+a+child%92s+positive+experience+with+sports+yet+proponents+of+cutting+argue+that+the+practice+is+necessary+in+order+to+win+games+and+thus+%28presumably%29+make+sports+a+positive+experience+for+kids%2e+Cutting+kids+in+order+to+improve+overall+team+performance+and+thus+improve+the+experience+for+the+remaining+players+is+an+erroneous+assumption%2e++This+notion+is+not+supported+by+the+literature+and+may+only+be+a+weak+guise+to+mask+the+parent%92s%2c+coach%92s+or+athletic+director%92s+desire+to+boost+their+own+egos+by+their+association+with+a+winning+team%2e+%0a%0aThis+self%2dserving+practice+is+in+direct+opposition+to+the+National+Alliance+for+Youth+Sports+Code+of+Ethics+that+%282001%29+states%2c+%93I+%5bas+a+youth+coach%5d+will+place+the+emotional+and+physical+well+being+of+my+players+ahead+of+my+desire+to+win%2e%94++This+ethic+is+echoed+in+Great+Britain+where+the+Irish+Sports+Council+%282001%29+has+pledged+%93The+importance+of+participation+for+each+child%2c+best+effort+and+enjoyment+rather+than+winning+should+be+stressed%2e%94+Perhaps+American+athletic+directors+could+learn+a+bit+from+the+Irish+who+regard+soccer+with+near+religious+fervor%2e++The+undermining+effect+of+the+insidious+thirst+for+vicarious+victories+of+coaches+and+parents+are+well%2dknown%2c+well%2ddocumented%2c+and+thus+are+beyond+the+scope+of+this+essay%2e++We+must+not%2c+however%2c+ignore+the+influence+it+has+on+cutting+policies%2e%0a%0aLastly%2c+as+coaches+and+physical+educators+we+must+remember+that+children+do+not+develop+in+a+linear+fashion+individually+nor+as+a+group%2e++Today%92s+klutzy+kid+may+be+next+year%92s+Athlete+of+the+Year%2e+It+is+through+coaching%2c+guidance%2c+and+practice+that+children+develop+into+skillful+movers+and+lifetime+athletes%2e++Cutting+them+from+the+sport+they+have+an+interest+in+is+the+surest+way+to+NOT+develop+skills+or+reach+their+full+potential%2e++Without+the+knowledgeable+guidance+and+organized+practice+the+hidden+stars+and+%91sleepers%94+we+cut+will+never+shine+on+the+playing+field%2e++We+must%2c+as+the+NYSCA+Coaches+pledge+%28NAYS%2c+2001%29%2c+to+%93Treat+each+player+as+an+individual%2c+remembering+the+large+range+of+emotional+and+physical+development+for+the+same+age+group%2e%94+Sport+skills+and+fitness+habits+have+never+been+shown+by+research+to+be+inherited+but+have+always+been+shown+to+be+developed+through+participation%2c+practice+and+guidance%2e%0a%0aWith+the+rising+rates+of+child+and+teen+obesity%2c+gang+involvement%2c+and+self%2ddestructive+behaviors+can+we+really+afford+to+cut+kids+from+the+very+thing+that+may+guide+them+toward+a+healthful%2c+active+lifestyle%3f+%0a%0a%0aSincerely%2c%0a%0a%0aAndrew+P%2e+Jenkins%2c+PhD%0a%0a%0aReferences%0a%0aCenters+for+Disease+Control+and+Prevention+%282001%29+A+Report+of+the+Surgeon+General%2c+Physical+activity+and+health%3a+Adolescents+and+young+adults%2c+Division+of+Nutrition+and+Physical+Activity%2e+Found+at+www%2ecdc%2egov+%0a%0aIrish+Sports+Council+%282001%29+Code+of+ethics+%26amp%3b+good+practice+for+children%92s+sports%2e++Found+at+%5ctopurl%7bhttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eirishsportscouncil%2eie%2fhtml%2fhome%2ehtm%2chttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2eirishsportscouncil%2eie%2fhtml%2fhome%2ehtm%7d%0a%0aJanz%2c+K%2eF%2e%2c+Dawsen%2c+J%2eD%2e%2c+%26amp%3b+Mahoney%2c+L%2eT%2e+%282000%29%2eTracking+physical+fitness+and+physical+activity+from+childhood+to+adolescence%3a+the+Mustain+study%2e+Medicine+%26amp%3b+Science+in+Sports+%26amp%3b+Exercise%2c+%2832%29+1250%2d1257%2e%0a%0aNational+Alliance+for+Youth+Sports+%282001%29+Code+of+Ethics%2e+Found+at+www%2enays%2eor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286 Mike+Taylor%0aPEHLS+510%0a%0a%09Dr%2e+Jefferies+raised+some+interesting+points+to+the+pros+and+cons+of+cutting+kids+from+extracurricular+activity+programs%2e+I+agreed+with+points+of+interest+covered+on+both+sides+of+the+issue%2e+Kids+that+get+cut+do+have+some+self%2desteem+and+depression+problems%2e+I+can+remember+when+I+was+cut+from+the+freshman+football+team%2e+I+was+overweight+and+not+in+good+condition%2e+I+was+depressed+and+almost+thought+of+giving+up%2e+But+then+I+sort+of+got+angry%2c+and+I+found+this+drive+from+deep+within+to+train+hard+for+the+next+year+and+show+them+I+was+capable%2e+This+is+what+I+did+and+I+almost+made+the+varsity+team%2c+but+ended+up+in+JV%2e+I+look+on+that+experience+and+discovered+a+motivation+to+prove+I+was+as+good+as+the+other+player%2e+This+is+why+I+think%2c+along+with+other+reasons%2c+cutting+should+not+be+eliminated+from+school+programs%2e+%0a%09Dr%2e+Jefferies+raised+the+point+that+Jordan+was+not+cut%2c+just+simply+moved+back%2e+I+saw+a+documentary+on+Jordan+and+he+claimed+this+experience+made+him+depressed+and+angry%2e+He+used+this+energy+to+train+hard+and+make+the+varsity+team+the+next+year%2c+to+show+everyone+he+could%2e+Cutting+kids+allows+them+to+realize+that+maybe+they+are+not+the+best+at+the+particular+sport%2c+but+the+extra+drive+from+being+cut+will+allow+them+to+work+hard+and+make+the+team+the+next+year%2e%0a%09Cutting+kids+from+sports+does+portray+how+unfair+the+real+world+can+be%2e+It+is+good+to+shelter+kids+in+early+ages%2c+such+as+elementary+and+grade+school%2e+But+when+kids+get+into+middle+and+high+school%2c+they+should+be+starting+to+experience+that+the+real+world+can+be+unfair+and+it+will+take+extra+effort+to+succeed%2e+Cutting+is+an+example+of+the+real+world%2e+Just+as+people+are+currently+losing+their+jobs+at+Boeing%2c+the+people+who+work+the+hardest+and+do+the+best+job+will+keep+their+job%2e+To+stay+on+the+team%2c+a+kid+must+work+hard+to+succeed+and+avoid+being+cut%2e+Kids+in+high+school+apply+for+jobs+all+of+the+time%2c+and+not+everyone+gets+the+job%2e+It+is+unreasonable+to+allow+all+kids+to+join+the+kid%2c+just+as+it+is+unreasonable+to+allow+all+kids+to+get+the+job%2c+it+is+not+economical%2e%0a%09Take+football+for+example%2e+If+everyone+is+allowed+to+play%2c+everyone+needs+gear%2c+which+is+expensive%2e+If+there+is+too+many+on+the+team%2c+the+coach+has+to+spend+time+with+those+who+are+not+at+the+desired+ability+level%2e+Those+who+are+at+the+right+levels+are+not+receiving+enough+attention+to+improve%2e+%0a%09These+are+just+a+few+of+my+thoughts%2c+I+am+saving+some+for+class%2e+I+appreciate+Dr%2e+Jefferies+views+and+arguments%2e+It+is+a+hard+topic+to+justify+concretely+either+way%2e+I+my+case%2c+I+think+I+will+need+a+lot+of+convincing+to+acknowledge+cutting+as+negative%2e+I+am+sorry+I+could+not+find+any+research+data+to+reinforce+my+points%2e
287 In+all+honesty+I+might+never+have+given+the+no+cut+issue+any+thought+if+it+were+not+for+the+fact+that+I+was+told+to+submit+a+posting+to+the+PELINKS4U+discussion+forum+concerning+the+no+cutting+issue%2e++However%2c+the+fact+that+the+assignment+caused+me+to+read+and+think+on+the+topic+was+not+as+bad+as+I+thought+it+would+be%2e++In+fact%2c+I+am+glad+that+I+had+to+study+the+topic+despite+the+obvious+opinion+driven+nature+%28at+least+until+some+real+studies+are+done%29+of+the+no+cut+issue%2e%0a%0aThe+first+thought+I+had+when+I+heard+the+idea+of+a+no+cut+policy+was%2c+that+is+ridiculous%21++How+is+a+coach+to+develop+the+best+possible+team+if+the+athletes+know+that+no+matter+how+underdeveloped+their+skills+are+they+will+never+be+cut+from+the+team%3f++It+reminded+me+of+the+socialist+economy+%28unless+I+am+mistaken%29+where+all+employees+within+a+working+sector+are+treated+and+paid+the+same+amount+of+money+no+matter+how+much+real+work+they+do%2e++Where+is+the+incentive+to+excel+if+you+know+that+no+matter+how+well+or+poorly+you+perform+you+will+still+not+be+cut+from+the+team%3f++However%2c+upon+reading+Dr%2e+Jefferies+editorial+article+No%2dCut+Policies%3a+Fancies+and+Facts+%281%29+it+became+clear+to+me+that%2c+at+least+in+Dr%2e+Jeffries+case%2c+the+no%2dcut+policy+simply+ensures+that+all+interested+students+will+be+afforded+the+opportunity+to+practice+and+develop+their+skills%2e++But%2c+those+athletes+competing+%28or+on+the+team%29%2c+during+a+game+or+meet+will+still+be+determined+by+the+skill+level+of+the+individual+athletes%2e++Any+advancement+made+by+those+not+on+the+team+will+be+made+when+improvement+is+demonstrated+during+practice+or+some+lower+level+B+team+competition%2e++Under+these+conditions+I+believe+that+a+no+cut+policy+is+a+valuable+asset+to+any+sports+program%2c+assuming+the+coaching+staff+is+big+enough+to+handle+the+load%2e++%0a%0aHowever%2c+I+realize+that+in+various+sports+%28gymnastics%2c+diving%2c+basketball%2c+baseball%2c+football%2c+etc%2e%29+that+require+a+high+level+of+mechanical+skill+it+may+be+more+productive+and+perhaps+safer+when+the+athlete%2dto%2dcoach+ratio+is+smaller%2c+so+that+more+attention+can+be+given+to+perfecting+the+skills+%28in+a+safe+manner%29+needed+to+be+competitive%2e++This+Idea+fits+in+nicely+with+the+National+Youth+Sports+Coaches+Association%92s+Code+of+Ethics+for+Coaches%282%29%2e++Within+this+code+of+ethics+it+is+stated+that+the+coach+will+put+the+emotional+and+physical+well+being+of+the+athlete+above+a+personal+desire+to+win+as+well+as+providing+a+safe+playing+situation+for+each+athlete%2e++With+this+in+mind+the+school+district+must+take+into+consideration+the+ability+of+the+coaching+staff+to+safely+divide+their+time+amongst+a+large+group+of+athletes+before+implementing+a+no+cut+policy%2e++For+example%2c+in+the+sport+of+football+there+are+inherent+dangers+that+the+coaching+staff+must+contend+with+and+if+the+athlete+numbers+become+to+large+it+may+become+increasingly+difficult+to+prevent+injuries+or+pauses+in+practice+sessions+while+a+coach+is+giving+time+to+another+athlete+or+group+that+is+having+difficulty+learning+a+skill+or+play%2e%0a%0aIn+sports+such+as+track+and+field+%28field+events+exempt+in+most+cases%29+and+cross%2dcountry+the+only+actual+skill+needed+to+compete+is+the+ability+to+run+and+jump%2e++Therefore%2c+the+athlete%2dto%2dcoach+ratio+can+be+much+larger+without+a+slowing+of+the+learning+process%2e++In+fact%2c+in+these+sports+coaches+often+relish+the+chance+to+get+as+many+athletes+as+possible%2e++By+increasing+the+numbers+the+coach+will+increase+the+probability+that+an+athlete+that+is+both+physiologically+and+anatomically+suited+to+running+will+turn+out%2e++Therefore%2c+I+believe+that+the+no+cut+issue+has+validity+but+it+may+not+always+be+a+viable+solution+in+all+sporting+situations+%28i%2ee%2e+low+coaching+numbers+due+to+budgeting+concerns%29%2e+++%0aIn+conclusion%2c+I+feel+that+if+given+the+chance+any+athlete+can+at+least+become+a+respectable+participant+in+any+sport+and+therefore+should+not+be+cut+on+the+basis+of+apparent+skill%2e++However%2c+my+biggest+concern+is+the+physical+safety+of+those+athletes+participating+in+inherently+dangerous+sports+where+high+levels+skill+acquisition+is+needed+to+be+successful%2e++I+would+hate+to+see+a+school+district+adopt+the+no+cut+policy+and+then+get+sued+when+an+athlete+gets+seriously+injured+during+a+practice+session+because+the+coaching+staff+was+not+big+enough+to+handle+the+athlete+load%2e++This+some+may+say+is+not+a+valid+argument+because+perhaps+the+coach+was+negligent+in+his%2fher+approach%2e++However%2c+it+is+clear+that+the+probability+of+an+injury+whether+accidental+or+preventable+is+higher+when+the+athlete+population+is+higher+relative+to+the+existing+coaching+staff%2e++This+does+not+mean+that+the+least+talented+athlete+is+the+one+getting+hurt+but+it+would+be+and+is+always+a+shame+to+see+an+athlete+become+injured+and+it+is+even+more+of+a+shame+if+that+injury+could+have+been+prevented+by+allowing+an+athlete+more+one%2don%2done+time+with+the+coach%2e++A+scenario%2c+which+may+not+occur+if+a+coach%2c+is+expected+to+teach+a+set+of+skills+to+an+incredibly+large+number+of+athletes%2e+%0a++%0a+%0aReferences%0a%0a1%2e+Jefferies%2c+S%2e+%282001%29%2e+No%2dcut+polices%3a+Fancies+and+facts%2e+%5ctopurl%7bhttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2epelinks4u%2eorg%2farchives%2fcoaching%2f070201%2ehtm%2chttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2epelinks4u%2eorg%2farchives%2fcoaching%2f070201%2ehtm%7d%0a%0a2%2e+National+Youth+Sports+Coaches+Association+%282001%29%2e+%5ctopurl%7bhttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2enays%2eorg%2fcoaches%2findex%2ecfm%2chttp%3a%2f%2fwww%2enays%2eorg%2fcoaches%2findex%2ecfm%7d
288 To+Cut+or+Not%3f+%0aBefore+I+discuss+the+controversial+topic+of+whether+to+cut+or+not%2c+lets+first+look+at+the+definition+of+a+coache%92s+philosophy+for+teaching+and+providing+a+learning+environment+for+children%2e+%0aRichard+Roades%2c+author+of+Basic+Coaching+Skills+describes+that+a+successful+coach+isn%92t+one+that+concentrates+on+the+task+of+winning%2c+but+instead+adopts+the+philosophy+of+providing+each+child+with+an+equal+learning+environment+to+develop+and+improve+their+skills+and+enjoy+team%2dparticipation%2e+His+coaching+style+is+adopted+from+the+American+Coaching+Institute+that+develops+coaching+certification+programs+for+athletic+coaches%2e+The+Institute+focuses+on+the+positive+coaching+philosophy%2c+teaching+basic+skill+fundamentals%2c+and+good+sportsmanship%2e+%0aPerhaps+the+most+important+question+to+consider+is+what+happens+if+the+philosophy+is+to+provide+an+equal+opportunity+for+children+to+learn+and+develop+their+skills%2e+Won%92t+their+learning+environment+be+inhibited+if+there+are+too+many+players+per+coach%3f+%0aIn+the+article+about+the+pros+and+cons+of+implementing+cutting+strategies+in+public+schools%2c+there+is+a+valid+point+opposing+a+not%2dcut+policy+and+it+takes+its+shape+as+analogous+to+what+occurs+in+the+academic+setting%2e+If+there+are+too+may+students+in+a+class%2c+some+students+are+asked+to+move+up+or+down+a+level+based+on+the+teacher%92s+subjective+view+of+who+is+performing+well+and+who+isn%92t%2e+Just+like+not+all+children+can+make+the+advanced+math+class%2c+being+cut+does+not+mean+they+will+never+be+able+to+understand+the+material%2e+They+could+find+a+club+team+where+learning+might+be+more+encouraging+then+staying+in+a+place+where+they+are+not+wanted%2e+%0aIf+a+no%2dcut+policy+is+employed+the+coach+may+show+favoritism+to+some+athletes%2c+leading+to+the+kid+who+would+normally+have+been+cut+becoming+disinterested+in+the+sport%2e+Indeed+this+presents+an+interesting+facet+to+the+argument%2c+but+the+child+would+still+be+participating%2e+The+obvious+counter+to+this+line+of+reasoning+then+becomes+the+concept+of+trying+something+else%3b+the+coach+should+encourage+them+to+look+for+another+team+or+activity%2c+and+then+should+encourage+trying+out+again%2e+If+the+coach+making+the+cut+shows+the+kid+that+they+would+love+them+to+try+out+gain+next+year+and+gave+then+some+advice%2c+it+could+prevent+the+child+from+never+wanting+to+participate%2e+%0aIn+the+article+about+progress+and+keeping+kids+in+youth+sports+by+Dr%2e+Darrell+J%2e+Burnett%2c+a+nine%2dyear%2dold+boy+states%2c+%93what%92s+the+use+in+trying%2c+no+matter+what+I+do+it%92ll+never+be+enough%2e+My+coach+is+never+satisfied+and+I+can%92t+compete+against+other+kids+who+are+much+better+than+I+am%2e%94+This+quotes+supports+the+premise+that+if+a+child+is+in+an+environment+where+they+are+not+wanted%2c+they+will+associate+negative+feelings+with+the+support+and+become+disinterested%2e+%0aResearch+by+Jeziorski%2c+1994+has+shown+that+kids+who+stay+in+sports+tend+to+stay+in+school%2c+get+better+grades%2c+and+show+better+behaviors%2e+Therefore%2c+I+fell+that+these+results+are+the+best+defense+of+keeping+kids+in+sports%2c+regardless+of+which+ones%2e+If+they+are+cut+from+one+sport+because+numbers+are+too+large%2c+they+should+be+encouraged+to+try+something+else%2e+This+is+not+to+say+that+they+could+never+try+the+initial+sport+again%2e+%0aTherefore%2c+cutting+is+necessary+due+to+ensure+learning+and+participation%2c+and+that+each+child+receives+the+full+benefit+of+attention%2e+Although+it+may+not+be+fair%2c+it+could+serve+as+a+motivator%2c+and+could+lead+to+a+sense+of+achievement+in+finally+making+the+cut%2e+If+cutting+wasn%92t+employed+the+sense+of+achievement+and+honor+of+making+a+team+would+be+lost%2e+%0aBy+Davina+Strauss
369 My+name+is+Dean+Koberna+and+I+am+a+Physical+Education+student+at+Kent+State+University%2e%0a%0aCutting+Students+in+Athletics+is+tough%2e++It+is+hard+on+the+coaches+as+well+as+the+student+who+is+trying+out%2e++I+know+from+personal+experience%2e++From+my+10th%2d12th+grade+year+I+got+cut+from+the+High+School+Basketball+team%2e++I+love+the+game+of+Basketball+but+I+never+once+gave+up+I+always+came+back+the+next+year+to+try+out%2e++It+hurts+being+cut+from+the+team%2e++It+is+a+moment+you+will+never+forget%2e++It+feels+like+getting+picked+last+for+a+team+in+Physical+Education+class%2e++My+issue+of+getting+cut+from+the+team+goes+deeper+than+not+making+the+team+because+of+my+lack+of+skill+according+to+my+High+School+Basketball+Coach%2fteacher+for+PE%2e++In+my+firmest+opinion+I+think+choosing+someone+to+be+on+the+team+and+cutting+someone+is+politics%2e++%0a%0aGetting+cut+does+hurt+and+students+will+all+handle+it+in+a+different+way%2e++Now+I+never+once+stopped+liking+the+game+and+playing+the+game+so+I+looked+at+it+as+an+advantage+to+work+harder+and+play+harder%2e++Other+students+will+look+at+it+as+they+are+a+failure+and+will+give+up+not+only+on+that+sport+but+maybe+on+their+education+as+well%2e%0a%0aMy+take+on+cutting+a+student+in+athletics+is+it+can+be+done+in+different+ways%2e++I+think+the+best+way+is+always+have+a+developmental+squad%2e++A+student+gets+cut+from+the+team+you+can+have+after+school+or+night+practices+for+these+students+and+when+someone+from+varsity+gets+hurt+you+can+bring+the+kid+up+to+fill+the+roster+spot+or+when+a+student+will+become+ineligible+due+to+grades+a+student+can+fill+in+that+spot+as+well%2e++This+is+giving+that+student+a+chance%2dtelling+him%2fher+that+they+are+not+a+failure+and+that+they+have+a+chance+to+be+successful+if+they+continue+to+work+hard+at+their+sport%2e++This+is+giving+them+a+lesson+in+life+as+well+as+sport%2e%0a%0aIf+anyone+is+to+reply+to+this+posting+I+just+want+to+add+one+final+thought%2c+please+be+courteous+to+one%92s+feelings+in+cutting+someone+because+it+can+be+really+hard+on+a+student+and+it+can+affect+not+only+their+participation+in+sport+but+their+education+as+well%2e++I+just+ask+that+you+evaluate+the+student+more+and+when+you+are+cutting+the+student+from+the+sport+encourage+him%2fher+to+do+better+the+next+time+and+tell+them+what+to+work+on+or+what+they+could+do+to+make+them+better+or+more+successful+in+their+sport%2e
370 Athletics+is+about+hard+work%2c+determination%2c+success%2c+and+failure%2e++Getting+cut+from+a+team+is+part+of+the+game%2c+it+builds+character%2c+it%92s+how+that+individual+bounces+back%2e++Do+they+work+harder+and+practice+on+their+own+to+make+the+team+next+year%2c+or+do+they+quit+and+give+up%3f++Getting+cut+from+teams+is+just+facing+reality%2c+sometimes+in+life+you+don%92t+always+get+what+you+want%2e++For+example%2c+people+get+rejected+from+jobs+and+even+laid+off+of+certain+jobs%2c+but+that%92s+acceptable%2e++Athletics+isn%92t+always+about+winning+and+competing+but+that+is+a+huge+factor+of+the+game%2e++Through+athletics+school+reputations+are+built+and+for+the+elite+individuals+bright+athletic+futures+are+created%2e++Being+able+to+compete+is+essential+in+athletics%2c+therefore+the+best+of+the+best+must+be+selected+for+the+team%2e++For+those+that+get+cut+from+teams%2c+they+need+an+alternative%2e++I+believe+that+schools+should+offer+intramural+leagues+that+allow+everyone+equal+opportunity+to+participate%2e++This+will+allow+all+that+what+to+participate+and+be+active+in+athletics+that+chance%2e
372 In+regards+to+the+cutting+or+no+cutting+issue+in+athletics+I+am+caught+in+the+middle%2e+I+feel+that+athletics+gives+tremendous+opportunities+for+students+to+learn+about+teamwork%2c+respect%2c+hard+work+and+discipline%2e+I+also+believe+that+these+qualities+can+be+learned+in+other+experiences+besides+athletics%2e+Cutting+in+athletics%2c+I+believe%2c+is+here+to+stay+regardless+of+how+unfair+it+is+to+many+non%2dskilled+students%2e+School+districts+do+not+have+enough+money+to+fund+all+students+that+want+to+participate+in+athletics%2c+this+is+nearly+impossible%2e+As+a+future+physical+educator%2c+it+is+my+responsibility+to+make+sure+there+is+a+variety+of+different+types+of+activities+or+games+that+appeal+to+all+different+types+of+students%2e+With+this+idea+in+mind%2c+it+is+crucial+that+physical+educators%2c+school+districts%2c+and+communities+work+together+so+that+we+can+broaden+the+opportunities+that+students++receive%2c+to+get+them+interested+in+activities+besides+the+typical+school+sports%2e+As+a+physical+educator+it+is+my+responsibility+to+show+students+different+ways+and+concepts+to+keep+them+active+throughout+life%2e+School+athletics+is+not+the+only+way+to+be+physically+active%2e+There+are+several+options+for+these+students+including+after+school+programs+to+get+students+to+participate+in+physical+activity+and+recreation+leagues+in+the+community%2e+Overall%2c+cutting+has+many+negative+aspects%2c+but+I+believe+that+as+a+teacher+we+can+find+ways+to+get+students+involved+in+physical+activity+without+it+necessarily+being+school+athletics%2e
375 With++the+issue+of+cutting+or+not+cutting+the+children+from+the+teams%2c+I+feel+that+the+children+should+not+be+cut+until+a+certain+age%2e++As+I+grew+up%2c+I+played+in+sports+from+the+time+I+was+three%2e++I+started+out+in+gymnastics%2c+and+worked+my+way+up+to+volleyball%2c+basketball%2c+and+track%2e++Being+that+I+played+in+all+these+sports+I+have+never+been+cut+from+a+team%2e++When+I+was+in+8th+grade+or+earlier+I++would+go+to+the+list+to+see+who+would+make+the+team+and+the+girl+standing+beside+me+would+be+crying+because+she+didn%92t+make+it%2c+I+felt+bad%2e++But+as+I+went+on+to+high+school+the+kids+would+not+feel+so+bad+because+they+knew+they+were+going+to+make+it+or+not%2e++The+child+knows+if+they+are+good+at+a+sport+or+not%2e++They+are+just+trying+something+new%2e++They+would+say+well+I+just+wanted+to+try%2e++I+feel+that+children+in+the+8th+grade+or+below+they+should+not+have+any+cuts%2e++Let+them+learn+how+to+play+the+sport+and+let+them+decide+if+they+are+good+or+not%2e++But+in+high+school+they+are+old+enough+to+know+if+they+have+what+it+takes+and+are+emotionally+stable+to+be+cut+from+a+team%2e+But+I+feel+that+the+schools+should+have+a+program+for+students+who+want+to+play+sports%2e++Maybe+intramurals+teams+that+would+play+after+lunch+or+after+school%2e++They+can+play+up+until+tournaments%2e++This+could+work+for+many+sports+that+the+students+want+to+play%2e
380 I+have+played+high+school+sports+and+I+have+also+coached+many+different+levels+of+sports+with+young+athletes+where+I+have+had+to+%93cut%94+players%2e+So+I+will+be+speaking+from+some+personal+experience%2e++I+was+never+cut+from+a+team+in+high+school+and+I+don%92t+know+what+it+feels+like+to+be+%93cut%94%2c+but+I+can+say+that+it+was+not+a+good+feeling+whenever+I+had+to+%93cut%94+an+athlete+as+a+coach%2e%0aThis+is+a+very+delicate+area+to+deal+with+in+today%92s+society%2e++The+problem+that+I+have+seen+is+that+the+high+school+sports+of+today+have+evolved+into+a+%26quot%3bbusiness%26quot%3b+instead+of+a+school+tradition%2e++The+importance+put+on+winning+and+being+the+state+or+has+become+the+only+goal+of+most+schools%2e++The+coaches+of+the+teams+are+now+hired+to+do+just+one+thing%2c+win%2e++If+the+coach+does+not+win+a+lot+of+games+or+produce+a+championship+team+within+a+few+years%2c+then+they++are+fired+and+a+new+coach+is+hired%2e++A+coach+has+no+choice+but+to+cut+the+less+skilled+players+to+keep+his%2fher+job%2e++It+is+no+longer+about+the+student+athletes%2c+its+about+putting+%93W%92s%94+on+the+scoreboard%2c+and+only+your+best+athletes+can+help+achieve+that+goal%2e++Sports+have+become+such+a+political+tool+in+society+that+the+best+interest+of+the+student+athletes+has+been+tossed+aside%2e%0a%0aCutting+athletes+is+not+a+nice+or+fun+thing+for+any+coach+at+any+time%2c+but+it+must+be+done+to+protect+students+from+injury+from+other+student+athletes+and+also+from+his%2fher+peers%2e++Sadly%2c+it+is+also+used+to+keep+the+winning+%93spirit%94+alive%2c+along+with+the+coach%92s+job%2e++I+love+high+school+sports+and+participated+in+many+when+I+was+in+school%2c+I+have+just+recently+seen++and+dealt+with+the++effects+that+cutting+student+athletes+has+had+on+people%2c+including+myself%2e
382 From+the+age+of+five+to+twenty+one+yrs+old%2c+I+have+been+actively+involved+in+sports+such+as%3b++basketball%2c+softball%2c+track%2c+cross+country%2c+swimming%2c+and+ice+skating%2e++I+have+always+done+well+at+cross+country+and+track+and+continue+the+sport+at+the+college+level%2e++I+have+always+enjoyed+the+other+sports+even+though+I+was+not+the+best+because+I+was+given+the+opportunity+to+participate+without+cuts%2c+it+was+fun%2c+my+friends+were+there+and+I+learned+useful+information+about+team+work%2e++In+discussing+the+topic+to+cut+or+not+to+cut+children%2c+I+think+that+there+should+be+absolutely+no+cuts+in+elementary+level+sports%2e++Cutting+children+in+elementary+level+sports+can+demolish+a+child%27s+self+esteem+as+they+are+left+out+and+separated+from+there+friends%2e++Most+would+feel+down+and+basically+just+quit+all+sports+and+choose+to+never+participate%2e++Not+all+children+have+the+same+experience+so+therefore+allowing+a+child+to+participate+at+an+early+age+and+not+cutting+them+can+help+them+build+the+skills+to+make+a+great+athlete+and+a+great+person%2e++If+there+are+too+many+children+signed+up+for+the+sport%2c+make+two+teams+and+give+the+child+every+chance%2e++In+looking+at+the+high+school+level+I+feel+the+same%2e++Yes%2c+high+school+is+the+secondary+level+and+one+is+expected+to+be+a+better+athlete+at+this+level+but+again+not+everyone+has+the+same+experience+and+skill+level%2e++Given+the+chance+to+participate+on+varsity+or+junior+varsity+level+they+can+achieve+goals%2c+self+confidence%2c+and+build+skills%2e++Michael+Jordan%2c+one+of+a+greatest+athletes+of+all+time+was+cut+in+high+school%2e++Michael+Jordan+who+could+of+easily+given+up+did+not+give+up+and+now+is+a+spectacular+to+watch%2e++Not+everyone+has+great+determination+as+Michael+did%2e++Most+children+would+have+given+up+the+sport+and+maybe+all+sports+as+his+or+her+confidence+level+decreases%2e++Therefore+not+cutting+and+allowing+children+to+play+will+let+them+learn+determination+and+dedication%2e
412 Cuts+are+good+because+it+will+show+the+best+of+the+team%2e
420 I+coach+several+sports%2c+and+I+feel+that+cutting+is+important%2e++I+coached+cross+country+at+a+middle+school+level+with+38+runners+%28boys+and+girls%29+on+my+team%2e++It+was+too+many+kids+for+one+coach%2c+even+for+a+sport+where+everyone+can+participate+at+each+meet%2e++Even+though+we+did+very+well%2c+I+would+not+coach+this+many+again%2c+and+next+year+I+am+making+cuts%2e++I+was+not+able+to+coach+the+way+I+wanted+to+because+of+the+number+of+kids%2e++As+a+PE+teacher%2c+I+deal+with+huge+class+sizes+in+half+of+a+gym+all+day+long%2e++My+passion+is+coaching%2c+and+if+I%27m+not+able+to+coach+a+team+with+a+reasonable+number+of+athletes+on+it%2c+then+I%27m+not+going+to+coach+at+all%2e++That%27s+called+babysitting%2e
446 I+think+Dodgeball+is+a+valuable+resouce+in+school%2e++It+allows+the+students+to+practice+throwing+and+catching+techniques%2c+as+well+as+lateral+movements%2e