Just Because They Said It, Doesn’t Mean It’s Right
Welcome back to the Logical Fallacies in Youth Sports series. If you’re new here, we’re breaking down the most common reasoning mistakes that show up in coaching, parenting, and athlete development. Today, we’re putting the spotlight on a classic trap: the Appeal to Authority Fallacy in Youth Sports.
This fallacy occurs when we assume something is correct simply because a respected figure has said it. In sports, that usually means coaches, club directors, or former athletes whose opinions carry weight, even when those opinions might be wrong.
What Is the Appeal to Authority Fallacy in Youth Sports?
The appeal to authority fallacy is when someone accepts a claim as true not because it makes sense, but because someone with status said it. In other words: “It must be right because Coach said so.”
There’s nothing wrong with respecting experience, but blind trust is where problems begin. Experts are valuable when they’re challenged with thoughtful questions, not worshipped like sports oracles.
If you’re curious how other fallacies show up in youth sports, check out our post on Begging the Question and how it leads people to ignore data in favor of “that one time something happened.”
Common Examples of Appeal to Authority in Youth Sports
Let’s walk through how this plays out, from the field to the bleachers.
“The Director Said So”
Just because a club director is great at booking gym time and scheduling tournaments does not mean they’re an expert on athlete burnout, skill development, or long-term planning. Still, many parents and coaches follow orders without question, simply because of the title behind the decision.
If you’ve ever heard, “We make all 12-year-olds specialize because that’s how the director did it with her own kids,” you’ve seen the fallacy in action.
“They Played College Ball”
This might be the most common one. Playing experience is useful—but it doesn’t automatically mean someone can coach. Knowing how to do something and knowing how to teach it are not the same. If we’re not careful, we take advice meant for adult professionals and apply it to 8-year-olds trying to tie their shoes between serves.
For more on coaching development that works, take a look at our recent newsletter, Fix the Dish, Not the Kids, which looks at how coaching culture often needs more repair than athletes do.
“I Saw It on YouTube”
Social media has created a wave of training influencers who look legit because they’ve worked with one elite athlete. But youth athletes aren’t mini pros. They need methods suited for their stage of development, not the flashiest version of a drill someone used on a beach in Southern California.
“This Is What We Did in the 90s”
Sometimes the authority is tradition. “This is how we always did it” becomes the backbone of decisions, without asking if it’s still effective or relevant. It’s a fallacy hiding inside nostalgia, not logic.
How to Counter the Appeal to Authority in Youth Sports
We can absolutely respect authority. But it’s time we stop outsourcing our thinking to people simply because of their resumes.
Ask for the Why
Good coaches and leaders should be able to explain why they do things, not just say “Because I said so.” Ask questions. Get context. If they get defensive, that’s not a red flag…it’s a stadium flare.
Match Advice to Your Situation
Just because something worked for a national champion doesn’t mean it will work for your 14U developmental team. Context matters. Make sure advice is actually meant for your age group, goals, and skill level.
Teach Athletes to Think
If we want athletes who are self-aware, resilient, and adaptable, we have to model that ourselves. Encourage them to ask questions and understand the reasons behind their training. It helps them grow and prevents blind obedience.
Evaluate the Message, Not Just the Messenger
Look at what’s being said, not just who’s saying it. Are they citing evidence? Does it make sense developmentally? Does it match what we know about growth, health, and learning? If not, it doesn’t matter how many banners are on their wall.
Want to dive deeper into another common trap? We previously covered the No True Scotsman Fallacy in Youth Sports, where we explore how goalposts constantly shift to protect someone’s image of the “ideal athlete.”
Conclusion: Respect Experience, Question Authority
The goal isn’t to undermine experienced voices in youth sports. The goal is to hold all ideas to the same standard. Does it make sense? Does it apply here? Is it healthy for the athlete?
Because when we stop asking those questions, we trade growth for obedience. And youth sports should be a place where kids learn to think, explore, and challenge, not just follow orders because someone once coached a Division I team in 1998.
Recap
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Fallacy: Appeal to Authority
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Definition: Accepting an idea as true just because someone important said it
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Where it shows up: Club policies, coach advice, social media, and outdated traditions
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Solution: Ask why, understand context, and teach athletes to evaluate ideas for themselves
Next in the Series
In the next post, we’ll explore the False Dilemma Fallacy and how it pressures youth athletes into thinking it’s “win or nothing.” Spoiler alert: there’s more to sports than medals.
