Re: I\'m an unnamed local celebrity!
I've read through all the posts in this thread and thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.
It's an interesting state that America is in. Specifically in regards to sports and the things they use sports to teach people. I never was particularly athletic in my early school years. It may not surprise many considering what I do now (a programmer.)
But I think sports in school are badly lacking in teaching any real lessons. Whether you want to teach about a "pecking order" or "fair play" or "perseverance" or anything of that sort.
I agree that it doesn't help anyone when sports take on an "everyone plays" attitude. But that is definitely different than a "everyone tries" attitude.
But one thing that happens, in my experience, is that there is little training done of children. Which is really too bad. People believe that somehow children will magically know how to do things that even most adults cannot do. But the amazing thing is that children can learn incredibly rapidly if given a chance. And anyone, no matter their intial skills, can become very skilled at things with practise.
I believe the problem with many sports is there is no true ranking system. And the only ranking system availible often makes people feel they have no worth in the sport. Starters vs Benchers, is a prime example. Some Bench players have a role, and that's good. But in the "everyone plays" model, it ruins the fun for everyone. The kids who are there and are good get upset about not being able to play, and the kids who aren't good take heat for it, as well as not enjoying the game themselves because they aren't that good at it. But there is little instruction going on from what I can see. I remember Little League where the entire instruction was "keep your eye on the ball" ok... that's brilliant instruction. Brilliantly worthless.
Now let's take a look at a sport close to my heart. Martial Arts. I started Taekwondo when I was 12 years old with my brother. Whenever anyone starts Taekwondo, no matter their initial physical attributes, they are white belts. This shows not the talent one has in their muscles but the skill one has in the martial art. Girls and Boys are both grouped equally. As you train in Martial Arts you improve in many ways: You gain skill in the art itself, learning punching, forms, kicking, etc. You gain physical skill: All those kicks, punches, running, pushups tone your body. You gain mental focus: Meditation, timing of punches, strategy in sparring. You gain humility AND respect: As you rise in rank you gain the respect of all those around you. There is an obvious "pecking order" of ranks. But there is still respect for all.
That is the real problem with school sports. There is no way for someone NOT good to improve. Since there is no training for specific sports.
When I started, I was terrible. Compared to a Black Belt. I had the hardest time breaking boards with jumping kicks. I was not very fit at all.
But because I continued, despite my failings, I was taught how to improve. I don't fly like Muhammad does (he can jump pretty high, and then execute amazing kicks) I hit harder and stronger than he does. Neither of us is "better" than the other. We'd never fight each other full force. But if we were each confronted with the same violent situation, both of us would handle it with great... efficiency. But differently.
And there are a fair number of girls in Taekwondo. There are also beautiful displays of balance and grace in our forms. There is vicious combat that is nothing short of explosive in our sparring.
Both my brother and I are nationally certified TKD referees. Boys and girls of all ages compete in both sparring and forms at tournaments. They are seperated out. But I have seen boys who have the most beautiful forms ever. And I have seen girls who fight like wildcats in sparring matches. There is little difference. There is nothing manly or girly about any martial art aspect. And those who disagree I challenge to watch some of the girls fight each other. Or some of the boys perform the forms.
Sports provide excellent physical fitness, an outlet for stress and emotions of all sorts, a way to hone competitive drives, provide a fun time, and a way to make friends.
But with all due respect to all the other sports, I have to say that Martial Arts is a cut above all those (imo). It fufils all aspects of those, but the personal development of a Martial Artist who sticks with it is more fufilling than that of a football player.
And anyone can develop into an excellent Martial Artist. Not everyone can develop into an excellent football player. And there is nothing wrong with "anyone can" type of things. Because just because anyone can doesn't mean everyone does. Afterall, there aren't many Third Dan Black Belts who run huge tractor websites on the internet, are there? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
-Ibrahim
