RE: Thoughts on FBH
 

In reality, we have never told a child no in the FBH gathering. This is not a competitive event.
It is not going to become a competitive event. We have been there. It was not pretty.

With that in mind I do not believe any of the officials at an event would really object to a nine or ten year old playeing in FBH.
But , having said that this group is not going to become a showcase for a parents ego. As I said above, we have seen that.

Speaking of that let's talk a bit about the youth classes and parents.
These classes are for the participants, NOT their parents.
We recieve complaints from every other parent regarding their children. You should not let parents go with the shooters!
Why don't you let parents go with the kids?
His father helped him. His mother helped her. It's not fair that I can't help my son/daughter.
It's not right that my son can only shoot 40 pounds. He shoots 65 at home. (CUB)
That is just a sample. I would bet that at the past worlds a third of the complaints were from PARENTS of youth shooters, about the other shooters or their parents.

In listening to most of the problems in these circumstances we could turn around, point a finger and say to Mom or Dad, shame on you.
There are some problems brought to our attention that have a legit base. In that case our gut feeling is to deal with the problem as strongly as possible. Then we hear it is often a parent that caused the problem in the first case. Now we are forced to penalize a child for an adults mistake.
We call that little league syndrome.

We must teach our children an ethical approach to the games. If we do not we are in effect teaching them an unethical practice.
Ours is a solitary pursuit in the field. Our ethics are not on parade for many people. We have to make ethical choices many times out there by ourself. What are we teaching our kids that will support the right choice?

We have a great program for youth shooters. We also enjoy their participation. We are proud of our association with Hocking College and the scholarship program they offer our youth shooters.
Many of our kids have taken advantage of this program and gotten a college education from it.

Sometimes we can win. Sometimes we must congratulate the winner. That is where we find our own level of sportsmanship.
It is our parental resposibility to show our children how to respect the accomplishments of others.
I for one do not believe it my duty to teach them how to find a way around that part of the job.
Sorry to be so preachy, but the parents from this past season with their attitudes and conduct have been knawing at me.
ken watkins

RE: Thoughts on FBH
 

Ken, thanks for the reply. I understand the IBO's position. My intention was never to see inflated scores in FBH. Merely to see, if possible, that there might be some way to allow the kids that are not ready for Cubs, to shoot where they would be more comfortable. It seems there is. I was not aware of the open attitude re: age in FBH. I think this is a very good policy. Since my hope in posting this was to see if I was alone in feeling this way, I won't address your other concerns here. Though you have many valid points. Thanks to those of you who replied to this, also.
BTW, I fully understand your remarks re: parent's egos. Where I live, the girl's softball league had to issue orders refraining parents from cheering. There were physical altercations in the bleachers. Unbelievable!!

RE: Thoughts on FBH
 

In response to Ken's post, AAAMMMEENNNN!!

I do agree that parent's are a creator of some of our issues.

I do agree that cubs, in particular, should be accompanied by adults at the national & world shoots. Example: Johnny in group 1, his parent should go with a different group of children and Joe in group 2 his parent can go with group 1. I don't think these kids should be unsupervised, but I don't believe parents should be accompaning their own children. Result is exactly what Ken is talking about. I have shot with some cubs this year and their parents accompanied us, as a parent I can say this, PARENTS YOU are the ones putting alot of the pressure on your kids + it embarasses them in front of their new friends. Once you have your kids on the range, if you don't have encouraging words to say (good line, yardage was great, shot broke nice etc), shut up and let them shoot, the pressure is enough when they see their buddy shooting good. Coaching is for the back yard and practice bales. If you can give the encouraging word you will be the COOL parent. I saw both this year, one child was not as happy as the other. Don't ruin it for your kids. I was raised it doesn't matter if you win or lose its how you play the game. Let them have fun. If your child isn't ready for the move to cub, then don't move them up, as Ken said they haven't turned kids away FBH is non competitive, remember FUN.

RE: Thoughts on FBH
 

I think that one of the hardest lessons we as parents must teach our kids is how to be competitive and happy without the need to be first. Most of our lives we spend doing things that someone else can do better. Its critical that our kids learn that they can stand and compete against what seems at times to be insurmountable odds, and still take home personal victories. Its easy to teach them to want to win, thats part of our very nature. Teach them to take a victory home from 5th or 500th place, now you've accomplished something. They, and we, need to see the the accomplishments of others from the back row once in a while, to really appreciate the glory when its our turn to shine.

RE: Thoughts on FBH
 

in 2003 my daughter made the cut in the cub class. I walked it with her as it was the first time she had been in that kind of situation... yes she has been peered at the state level but this was a whole different pressure. She did shoot the first day by herself... It was harder for me I believe as a parent following along watching her start off cleaning the first 6 targets and then watch her slide with 3 fives and an 8 to finish taking her from potential top score to 11th. I can see where the potential lies for a parent to try and help, when thier goal is to see their child achive something they worked so hard for, but fall short. Sportmenship levels are tested on both the child and the parent in this situation. Doing as other have said in supporting with kind words and encouragement will mean more in the long run than trying to slip the child an edge to help.

It is nice to hear that the IBO is alittle less strict about the age advancement with the FBH than is written. It should be a bit of the parent choise as to when the child is ready for full out competition. My oldest was ready earily, my youngest wont be, but still wants to shoot. I sure don't want her to get pummeled into the dirt till she is ready mentally to handle it. Right now my oldest is having a tough time adjusting to the age advancement to shooting against young ladies up to 17 and she is 14, but she saw success in the past and is old enough to understand it that her time will come again.