Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids’ Sports–and Why It Matters
Original price was: $28.00.$15.40Current price is: $15.40.
“A really brilliant book” — Malcolm Gladwell
Longlisted for the Porchlight Business Book Awards 2022
A close look at how big money and high stakes have transformed youth sports, turning once healthy, fun activities for kids into all-consuming endeavors—putting stress on children and families alike
Some 75% of American families want their kids to play sports. Athletics are training grounds for character, friendship, and connection; at their best, sports insulate kids from hardship and prepare them for adult life. But youth sports have changed so dramatically over the last 25 years that they no longer deliver the healthy outcomes everyone wants. Instead, unbeknownst to most parents, kids who play competitive organized sports are more likely to burn out or suffer from overuse injuries than to develop their characters or build healthy habits. What happened to kids’ sports? And how can we make them fun again?
In Take Back the Game, coach and journalist Linda Flanagan reveals how the youth sports industry capitalizes on parents’ worry about their kids’ futures, selling the idea that more competitive play is essential in the feeding frenzy over access to colleges and universities. Drawing on her experience as a coach and a parent, along with research and expert analysis, Flanagan delves into a national obsession that has:
Compelled kids to specialize year-round in one sport. Increased the risk of both physical injury and mental health problems.Encouraged egregious behavior by coaches and parents. Reduced access to sports for low-income families.
A provocative and timely entrant into a conversation thousands of parents are having on the sidelines, Take Back the Game uncovers how youth sports became a serious business, the consequences of raising the stakes for kids and parents alike–and the changes we need now.
Publisher : Portfolio (August 23, 2022)
Language : English
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 059332904X
ISBN-13 : 978-0593329047
Item Weight : 1.1 pounds
Dimensions : 6.27 x 1.07 x 9.3 inches
7 reviews for Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania Are Ruining Kids’ Sports–and Why It Matters
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Original price was: $28.00.$15.40Current price is: $15.40.
Anne Scala Toolajian –
A MUST read for all parents, coaches, assistants and anyone involved or interested in youth sports!
This book, masterfully written by Linda Flanagan, is a MUST read for parents and coaches alike. It is a deep dive into the world of youth sports by someone who lived it from different perspectives as a parent of an athlete, a coach of young athletes and a life long athlete and lover of sports herself. It is deeply informative, educational and a fascinating read. As a mother of three sons, I found myself nodding as I read and even exclaimed out loud on several occasions as the author eloquently balanced the research and data with personal stories and interviews that mimicked and resonated soundly with many of our own experiences with youth sports. I only wish I knew then what I know now! Ms. Flanagan deftly shares statistics mixed with insight, humor and solutions to the growing concerns in youth sports while shining a much needed light on the bigger picture of who is affected and how. This book will be shared with my grown sons next so that they may be better educated and prepared for the next generation of athletes. A great read AND an important read!
Zach&Phoebe Rinehart –
Good read!
Definitely thought provoking and challenging
Snow614 –
strong start
I thought the explanation of the current situation, the problems it causes, and how we got here was very interesting; however, the solutions proffered seemed very idealistic and unlikely to work.
Susan H. Greenberg –
Compelling blend of memoir and reportage
In this highly readable, informative and utterly engaging book, Flanagan reflects with great insight and humor on her experiences not only as an athlete and a parent but also as a coach. And what comes through loud and clear is how deeply she cares about the well-being of the young runners she has coached–and how troubled she is by the way big money and prestige-grubbing parents have robbed youth sports of so much of their joy and benefit. This book will really make you question your motives in spending every weekend carting your kids to travel soccer tournaments in distant counties, and give you the strength and courage to just say “No!” to the arms race of competitive youth sports. In the process, you might just reclaim your sanity, not to mention the pleasures of unstructured family time.
Gtrain –
Excellent & Insightful Read
“Take Back the Fame” by @lindaflanagan_author is an excellent & insightful read about the world of youth sports.I highly recommend this book to all parents that have kids playing youth sports or plan on having their kids take part in youth sports; coaches, especially volunteer coaches should definitely read this as well. As a prior volunteer coach, I could have definitely used this book to change the way I handled situations that would have resulted in a better benefit for kids.I will not lie; at one point I was guilty of being that parent consumed with anxiety or feeling surrounding the development of my kids in their activities – not just sports. My path & faith have tremendously helped curb a lot & this 📕 opened up my mind to more perspectives I can consider & observe if I have not already observed them.Kids should be having fun when taking part in the activities us parents have them in and should not develop unnecessary stress or anxieties. In addition, in my opinion youth activities have replaced a lot of family time & gatherings that used to occur when I was growing up; I contribute to that trend today & am constantly working on how we can bring those family moments & gatherings back. It is not easy though because of the environment created & that we live in, but having awareness is a building block & I truly appreciate the insight from this 📖 that could help my family in the future.Started on June 30, 2023 & finished on August 2, 2023 – 33 days.
Wanderlust Learning –
Thank You for Writing This Book!
Someone had to say it and she says it so well! It’s not that sports are bad, but our culture has thrown them way out of balance. To have your kids compete means to sacrifice your finances, time as a family, time for worship, time to pursue other hobbies….And the pressure to “specialize” your kids at the age of 7 is tremendous. If you think that statement is hyperbole just sign your kid up for Little League, get your credit card ready, and let the pressure begin. Don’t you dare let your kids try another sport… If you decide to come back to your original sport, your kid will already be behind and there’s no catching up.Not to mention how class plays a roll in this monster and if you don’t have the means to pay for private coaching and summer camps there’s no way your kid can be a part of the sports world… And these are the kids who could benefit from sports the most!This book and discussion was very much needed. Thank you for writing this book!
Jeanne D’Haem –
Excellent Information About the Benefits and Problems with Youth Sports
My daughter was a straight A student except for a D in gym. The teacher wrote that she showed no interest in football, soccer, basketball, or other sports. Take Back the Game by Linda Flanagan reassured me that I was not a bad parent. It is one of the best parenting books I have read. This readable book meticulously reveals the myths and the reality behind competitive youth sports.There are wonderful opportunities for a child who is passionate about sports. However, many parents of not-so- sports-crazy children have been led to believe that sport teams are critical to a child’s physical health, friendships, and college acceptance. Flanagan, a coach, offers research and firsthand evidence that competitive sports can lead to injuries, and is not a gateway to college. Practice times may disrupt family life. Away games may require expensive travel as well as summer camps. Coaches may be untrained in the social emotion needs of children.Not all children are passionate about competitive sports, in fact I think that very few are. When my daughter engaged with a track coach who encouraged a personal best time rather than winning, she loved running and even completed the New York City Marathon. I agree with Flanagan that parents need to take back the game and make sure that youth sports are more about play than competition. This book will help put the fun back into athletic activity.