The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

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Youth in Sports
Lawson Robertson The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 1937 194: 73 DOI: 10.1177/000271623719400111 The online version of this article can be found at: http://ann.sagepub.com/content/194/1/73.citation

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Youth in
By LAWSON
eager grasp of
a

Sports
Olympic oath, &dquo;For the honor of my Country and the glory of sport.&dquo; Generally speaking, the sporting inof the world are similar. countries tend to follow the Many American pattern of participation. There are variations in spirit and method; yet, as several of the European countries frequently employ athletic instructors from the United States or send their men to study in this country, the statement seems justified. There appears to be a fondness for the United States spirit, method, and success. For this reason I feel justified in attempting to consider specifically the American &dquo;Youth in Sports.&dquo;
terests

ROBERTSON

THE with tion,

youth for acwhole-hearted admir-

ation for skilled physical performance, is evident in all quarters of the world.

At the Olympic Games in the summer of 1936 we watched youthful German fans following our American athletes about the Berlin streets, focusing their attention and cameras
upon our widely known champions. We later felt less distinguished upon discovering that the crowds treated other nations in the same manner, but the constant evidence of their enthusiasm was gratifying. The Government had taken every opportunity to enlighten its population and guests regarding each phase of the Games. We sat with fifty-odd other nations in the Reichssportfeld, or stadium, to watch the performance of the worlds greatest athletes. Perhaps the spectators,

totaling well over a hundred thousand, formed the largest group from all nations ever assembled. Listening to the roaring &dquo;Heils&dquo; from the Germans at the salute of each nation on the opening day-particularly those for the French, supposedly their greatest enemies, who certainly brought the strongest applause-sent us all back to the spirit of the first Greek Games, when wars ceased, trade was abandoned, and all joined the festival of the Games. During the time it was being decided to whom the next Olympic Games were to be awarded we learned that the entire nation of Japan knelt in prayer for its request, giving us a vivid picture of the millions far off whose enthusiasm brought entreaties to the heavens. All through the Games was the feeling expressed in the
73

THE YOUTHFUL ATTITUDE Our young people as participants lend their attention to various fields, all of which are fairly well known to the general public. Publicity is widespread and we do not appear to require governmental encouragement in this matter. Decidedly this would be helpful as a form of assistance to many, but public demand has not as yet been sufficiently great. However, our attitudes and methods as they affect the youth of our Nation are of the

greatest significance
With
an

now.

that is truly of the youthful generation of today earnestly desire the

impatience

ours, the members

utmost physical strength and ability for achievement. Their elders expect as much, and certainly every school cherishes the hope to develop athletic champions. A feeling arises that

there is
wrong

certainly something definitely lacking either in the youngsters or in the school if champions are
or

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74
not
a

pr6duced. &dquo;Produced&dquo; may seem strong word, but there is undoubtedly the strength of the word &dquo;demand&dquo; backing it. We always find

drive with all their strength. Howthe excitement of a &dquo;prep school&dquo; audience can be dangerous. The youngsters competing are sometimes
to ever,

the greatest pressure coming from the They young athletes themselves. write us from time to time inclosing their stamped envelopes, apparently expecting to find returned an amazing brief of criticism and advice which will go a long way toward the development of an Olympian, an all-American, or perhaps simply a high school champion. They hope for everything. They want results. Of course these youngsters do not confine their efforts to the pen if an interview is possible. They talk eag-

immature, and

may not be in proper

physical

condition for

competition

erly to any authority, pseudo-authority, or shall we say any audience, asking for advice and giving their own
theories. Most of the energy of the young athletes is devoted to practice and competition. Their practice and competition are guided by their massed information, which we hope is accurate, followed by the strong words of the school and alumni group characteristically urging them to give &dquo;their all,&dquo; &dquo;do or die,&dquo; and on down the time-worn trail of cheers and encouragements that mean so much to the young athlete as words, without necessarily giving him an opportunity to appreciate the meanings, which cannot at times be taken literally. DANGERS OF EXCESSIVE EFFORT In college when these inspiring shouts reach their height, I frankly feel that most of the athletes can afford to extend themselves. Some need the stimulation particularly, being equipped to participate in sports
more

which is always dangerous for the individual competitor. The intense exercise and emotional strain which are part of competition may seriously handicap his later growth. A tired competitor is easily injured, lacking by an instant the timing to help him to avoid an unfortunate football tackle, or lagging in the lift to take him over the .high hurdle. And perhaps too often this same athlete is inclined to continue in his competition, immediately or too soon for comfort, convinced that he is called upon to display his courage, unaware of the danger of permanent injury which can so easily result. We are always faced with the problem of condition, for the simplest daily exercise or for the international competition. We have to decide between the amount of exercise that is beneficial and the amount that is too much, the amount that taxes the efficiency we so earnestly desire. And we tend to think of an athlete as carrying his power for achievement in his muscles alone. Of course this is not true, but it is not too easy to have the young athlete understand that fact. Our vital strength, the power from our lifegiving organs within us, is of supreme importance, so much so that we would think it need not be mentioned. Yet the proper care of those organs can easily be neglected by youngsters who never appreciate their value until they are faced with the catastrophe of a
poor

heart,

an

effectively by exercising greater

stomach,

or

weak

effort. These athletes are mature, and are usually under adequate supervision. They should be physically fit

ripple in the greater significance.

improperly functioning lungs. A corded arm or the leg has a

The grammar school boy who wishes

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75

represent the &dquo;varsity squad,&dquo; or the youngster who believes he can, and perhaps can, enter and win many events at the Sunday school picnic even after consuming a rather remarkable amount of food, tends to brush the matter aside. His eagerness inclines elders to slight their doubts with
to

be granted under such circumstances. The individual competitor is not favored. And in many of our high schools much of the same is true, with some of the difficulties increased by the more highly developed scope of competitions made possible. It is definitely too much to expect a boy to

the comforting thought, &dquo;It probably wont hurt him,&dquo; and many tend to ignore what they have never closely followed. The happy belief that all exercise is beneficial quiets thoughts, if any. We hear much about the &dquo;building up&dquo; achieved by participation in sports, but we must be carefully certain that we are not risking a reverse process. I feel that boys under nineteen years of age should not engage in too

play one or two seriously competitive, strenuous games a week. Scarcely is the fever pitch for one competition
over, with its

corresponding
on

intense
to

exercise, loss of sleep, and failure

study,

when another is

its way.

THE IDEAL PATTERN

The ideal pattern for the development of an excellent athlete can be briefly sketched. He should first be

competitive athletics, particularly on the large scale that is so heavily encouraged in many schools. Competition demands more than the youngster should or can give. Some few boys may mature earlier, or have the advantage of the undivided attenstrenuous

taught the correct method, or form, of participation. A young tennis devotee who is immediately taught the correct method of holding a racquet,
the poses for the back-hand, serves, and the easier stances on the court, will have the opportunity to improve

excellent staff of instructors, physicians, and advisers at a fine school. I know many persons directing athletic participation for youngsters who deeply feel their responsibility; yet one wonders if they are suihciently well informed to carry this tremendous responsibility. One wonders if grammar schools are financially equipped to pay for a skilled director-a specialist. Their funds can sometimes spread for the art teacher, the nurse, the social worker, and the gymnasium instructor. And when and if there is a gymnasium instructor, he is usually overburdened with a large teaching load, and is also often expected to remain after hours, directing probably all the sports in the school. Many athletes require more Intensive personal attention than can ever
an

tion of

rapidly. Otherwise, one can watch him shambling around the court, with half his energy devoted to trying to hold the racquet and hit the ball, with a snailed improvement effected through the laborious trial and error
method. The famed and most often used trial and error method is seriously responsible for arresting the development of a skilled performer. If an athlete reaches college having learned or used a particular incorrect form for years, it is almost impossible to change his style and effect an improvement at the same time. Therefore his friend in the same class who learned the correct and most eflicient method is able to excel, other things being equal. Along with this there is the opportunity to develop strength, to build muscles, through the practice routine thus established; and with the careful development comes the necessary

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76

bring excellent performance. Practice games, even intramural competition for the youngsters under nineteen, should not be of sufficient nervous and physical strain to bring harmful results. In the closing years of his high or &dquo;prep&dquo; school career, the boy has the opportunity for serious competition, when he can first join the fight for supremacy and safely gather in with the group on the exciting roads to glory and defeat. Then his best efforts have not fallen away or been used entirely in his less noticed youth, and the possibility for great accomplishment is his. He has saved his best effort for the real test, on the day of
power to

Those unable to achieve intellectual distinction can hope for other gratifications. Sports participation causes a deeper interest in the school and a stronger loyalty to the institution. The publicity arising from successful

sports participation promotes

more

competition.
SPORTS IN LOWER SCHOOLS We can thank the schools in the United States for the increasing popularization of sports for our young people. It was not so long ago that the public schools confined their advocated exercises to a few elbow bends between classes. Many youngsters now have the chance to learn nearly BENEFITS
OF

in the school, and the name of the school itself gains in significance for the pupil and the community. Of course, the school is the proper place to teach the elementary phases in the sports field, just as it has always provided the background for intellectual achievement in most subjects. Here is the possible beginning for the &dquo;ideal pattern,&dquo; and it is a fortunate actuality for some athletes. Physical and mental health are favored, because sports participation encourages outdoor activity, which can easily fade with the advent of adolescence for boys, who suddenly feel too grown up for the more childish outdoor games. Free hours in school seasons are filled with football, track, hockey, soccer, baseball, and crosscountry. Summers are occupied with some of the same plus tennis and

public interest

all

sporting activities, to have invigorating work-play under encouraging direction. They are even required to participate in some form of exercise in
schools, except in instances where the youngster is suffering from a severe physical handicap. The required exercises are not extensive enough to be of marked value in themselves, yet here the young people can find their talents and be encouraged
most

in

some

specialization.

The benefits of sports participation in the schools are almost too trite to mention, yet certainly well worth in-

dicating briefly. The youngsters favorable attitude toward the school seems to be greatly enhanced by sports participation.

affords all the benefits of other extra-curricular activities in the schools. The pupil can broaden his associations within the school, and, in interscholastic competition, outside the school. There is opportunity for co6perative activity. A stronger feeling of personal participation, of personal responsibility, comes to the pupil who decides to become a part of a team, as the activity is entirely of his own choice. As the public school cannot provide fulltime supervision, there is a great freedom of choice for the athlete. He is not forced to do certain things; yet, knowing that it is essential for the successful athlete to take excellent care

swimming. Sports participation

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77

of himself, the spirit of the word &dquo;must&dquo; is strongly before him, and because we are taught that a reasonable amount of good care is imperative, we find most of the young people doing as well as they can. They know the initiative is theirs, and they seem anxious to grasp it. Boys in positions of stars or captains of teams have a responsibility that extends farther, a stronger tie of duty to the school and the team. Thus leadership, initiative, and teamwork have grown in the school of the United States in a manner of which we can be justly proud. There is therapeutic value in sports participation for the energetic, restless pupil who often gives a struggling instructor serious problems in discipline. A regular part in healthful daily exercise routine increases a pupils chance for a comfortable physical and He can &dquo;work nervous adjustment. off&dquo; his surplus energy naturally, and be less inclined to &dquo;wear down&dquo; others. Yet this regularity far from reaches the almost military aspect beginning to be featured abroad. Mass drills have not yet swept the populace of the United States. Many of us have seen pictures of this customary procedure as executed abroad. It has to some small extent reached into what we think of as highly individual competitions. As an instance, we have seen discus throwers line up, twist for their throw, and send their plates in unison at the shrill blast of a whistle. At a second blast they ran down the field to pick up the discs. This is effective to watch, yet not very helpful in giving individual attention to the sports student.
THE UNEQUIPPED Despite the fine work being done at many of our schools, their program is not yet sufficiently developed to fill the needs of all those young people who

appear to wish for active

sports

par-

ticipation. Perhaps

the

responsibility

should be elsewhere; however, it seems to me that the school is the logical center for further development. Jests about the popularity of the boy on the block who owns a football or other valued piece of sporting equipment are all too true. There is an unfortunately large group of young people who for some reason or other are not a part of the school program, yet apparently are anxious for every opportunity to &dquo;get up&dquo; a game. Perhaps during part of the week or season they are active in the schools, but however they may be classified, it is a shame to have so many in the streets or in poorly cleared and leveled lots making attempts with very little actual equipment. Probably wherever they locate, there is the danger of traffic and the annoyance of the anti-noise community members. Lack of proper equipment and supervision multiplies the danger of injury. The greatest danger and discouragement do come to this group, and they of course lack in the glory of favorable public recognition. One suspects that this group would be decidedly larger, absorbing the many about the corner drug stores, if conditions were more propitious. The young persons living in crowded sections using laths and wads of paper for ball and bat are forced by lack of paternal or public funds or interest to continue in this manner. The depression appears to be keeping the boys over sixteen in the streets longer, since work is scarce, and there is a larger group of restless boys unequipped than ever before. Metropolitan areas are still attempting to broaden available facilities, especially during the summer

months, by opening more playgrounds,

roping

off

play streets, and

encourag-

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78

ing community members to volunteer as play directors. However, these measures apply or appeal more to the
children, and we still have large portion of our youth facing the remark, &dquo;Theres nothing to do.&dquo; The
very young
a

course

National Youth Administration is increasing its program to include a deal of sports and playground supervision. We hope and believe its program will continue to increase. However, even the most casual observer watching the boys in the streets must concede that all eff orts made thus far are truly still in the &dquo;drop in the bucket&dquo; stage. Those who are financially equipped have unlimited opportunity to join many clubs featuring sports participation as their chief activity. The upkeep is no small item, as equipment is far from cheap, and the maintenance of a clubhouse and grounds is a big item. Many clubs have been proposed and organized by anxious would-be members who later felt that they could not possibly give the support which proved to be necessary a,s the organization materialized. IN COLLEGE Collegians have the greatest opportunity to enter sports. The interest aroused in college often continues, and the enthusiastic alumni often make possible constant expansion of the programs and equipment afforded. The school is in a position to receive a great deal of publicity through successful sports activity, and some of the less known or newer schools are anxious for all that can be had.

the schools are of anxious to do well. And because of this enthusiasm every effort is bent in the direction of improving the athletic standing of the schools. The school will willingly spend thousands for stadia, equipment, the finest instructors, and health supervisors. Gymnasium credit is required here, of course, and the splendid facilities afforded encourage students to come out for &dquo;varsity&dquo; teams, whose members have a lions share of glory all during their collegiate caSmall
or large, universally
reers.

Recently the colored race, now more able to afford college education than formerly, has given many distinguished champions to the intercollegiate field. Their leap to fame in track and field will doubtless be followed by similar distinction in other sports. Certainly their glory has fired the ambition of many colored youths of possibly similar ability, who are all eager to follow the pace set. It is from the college campus that the successful athlete has the real opportunity to step to fame. A skilled performers expenses are paid to all parts of the country, even to all quarters of the globe, to display his ability and to receive the glory awarded to the hero. Through the years I have met a great many of these famous young men, who are powerful, attractive, and thoroughly likable. I am glad we can send these able &dquo;sports ambassadors&dquo; everywhere, for we can be very proud of our American &dquo;Youth in Sports.&dquo;

Lawson Robertson is assistant professor of physical education and coach of the track team at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and head coach of the United States Olympic Teams. He is author of "College Athletics" (1920) and "Modern Athletics" (1931).

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