Hey now, You’re an All Star

“Congratulations parent(s)! Your child will be playing in the XYZ Elite All Star Game. There will be a few practices, you will pay a few hundred bucks, and your child will get great gear. Your child may or may not have fun. There is also a possibility your child will not get much playing time or play the position you want. However, you do get to call your child an All Star and he has a jersey to prove it. We are excited to have your child be a part of our event!”

Of course, the above is not really a typical All Star event invite, but I definitely wish that the event holders were more open and honest with the parents and participants about what they can expect. But in all reality, I wish the parents were more honest about their child(ren). As a parent of two children who have had vastly different experiences and abilities throughout their youth careers, I am brutally honest. My youngest son is known across the country to people who follow youth sports closely but that was not his brother’s journey.

My oldest son was not a “stud” athlete but has always had a ton of success. Opposing coaches have come up to me often and told me they liked his game. However, I never put him in an All-Star game in football or basketball because I didn’t think he earned it or would’ve gotten a positive experience out of it. I think there have been a few opportunities where he could’ve played, but why play in an All-Star game as a WR when they run the ball 90% of the time? All Star games are designed for kids who show up and stand out by appearance and/or immediately after limited reps. There simply is not enough time for a coach to appreciate a kid and learn how to use them, especially when real all-stars show up.

If you are thinking of signing your child up for an All Star game, I think it’s critical to get an understanding of what to expect beforehand. Parents must ask the appropriate questions, so they don’t get upset about how the practices and/or game goes. First, is it an All-Star game or is it a Showcase? Are the kids playing against each other or are they competing against kids from another area? Is the amount of playing time designated ahead of time or are coaches playing the best kids to win? If you haven’t gotten those answers before you signed your child up then, honestly, you don’t have the right to complain. Make sure you talk to the director of the event and the coach for your child’s team. Be sure they are on the same page.

For directors of All Star events please be a real director and a great communicator. Make sure the coaches you select share your same vision for you event and clearly understand how you want your event to go. Also, make sure you select as many quality coaches as possible to enhance the learning experience for participants. Communicate your vision and expectations with parents before you take their money. I know a lot of these events are about money and that’s fine. But you can make your money without taking advantage of these parents and putting coaches in bad situations.

Ideally, All Star games would either have invites or try outs to make sure the proper kids are selected. Coaches would also have to meet certain criteria and provide resumes. Some All-Star games do these things but most don’t because they are pay to play. Pay to play All Star games usually have issues because of the lack of communication or outright deceitfulness between directors, coaches, and/or parents. Coaches are volunteering and sometimes are there just to recruit kids. Parents pay for their child to be an All Star and expect them to get the ball or play their normal position. With limited practices, coaches typically go with the kids they already know for primary positions. For kids without IG accounts, or from smaller programs its harder to get the reps in to be noticed. Depending on the setting, they may not get a real chance to show their talent. As a result, the kids and parents often become upset. Unfortunately, that is the risk you take with an All-Star event.

However, when things are communicated ahead of time and everyone knows how things will go, All Star games can be an exciting experience for kids. Kids get to compete against or play with kids they normally wouldn’t during their regular season. They also get to be coached by new coaches and can learn new things. Often, one of the most overlooked aspects, they make new friends. All Star games are not “all bad”. There are just so many now that they aren’t often run well and typically receive lots of complaints.

I encourage all parents to have a plan for their child ahead of time. Know what type of experience you want your child to have and make sure it fits your goals. Every All-Star game is different so make sure the money you put into it matches your expectations. I also encourage you to film your kids and post videos. It is one of the reasons I do it so much. My children get invited to All Star games I might not have known about. For us, it’s not about being an All Star but what opportunities a particular All-Star event will provide. Every coach my kids play for has an idea about what they can do beforehand. The coach just needs one or two reps to verify what they already saw on film. Other kids may need to show it six or seven times before the coach is a believer. Film gives your kids a head start.

In the end, just do your research. Call the director and talk to people who have done it before. Also, call other All-Star events to see how they are run. I’ve heard horror stories and praises from parents regarding the same All Star event. Sometimes it is just for fun, sometimes you want to get your child noticed. It’s a personal experience for your child. Choose the one that fits your child and enjoy the ride. Until next time, B U!