High school and middle school sports during the 21st century have become strict. High school coaches are yelling at their players, cursing, and punishing them. These coaches are being too harsh on their kids, and it is affecting kids wanting to play high school sports. I have never played a high school sport where this has affected me, but I have seen this second hand. In high school, I play golf and run track. While at some track practices, I have seen coaches yelling at their athletes, even If it is positive.

Len Stevens was a previous men’s college basketball coach and high school coach as well. Stevens believes that the United States should go toward how Europe has sports. Europe has club sports instead of high school. Most club sports in the U.S. are more relaxed and fun to play. High school sports should move into the more enjoyable and laid-back side of sports. In my experience, I had a lot more fun time playing club sports than at school. When I played baseball, I played competitive travel ball. These coaches were always supportive and kind.

When coaches yell at their athletes, this can affect their mental health. When an adult looks down at a kid and yells, kids tend to feel bad about themselves. This can lead to possible outcomes: Eating less, depression, oversleeping, or even suicide. High school is hard enough on kids and the aggressiveness of these coaches could add more stress. As a part of the high school, coaches have the right to coach how they want; Yet they need to be less harsh to their athletes.

With all the current standards for athletes these days, most of the time some of the best players don’t make the teams. Most high school sports have bias. I played baseball my whole life. I ended up quitting baseball because I wasn’t going to make the high school team because of bias. Coaches in the 21st century have changed the way high school sports will be forever. 

In conclusion, high school coaches in the 21st century are too hard on their athletes. This type of coaching has become the new normal and it needs to stop. Athletes are quitting their sports because coaches are yelling way too much. These coaches may think it is right, but the athletes are being affected by this.