Coaching young kids sports teams

[TBS]

Poster-worthy!
I have fond memories of playing at that age. Keep up the good work!

[booner]

My team started out the season getting outscored 14-1 in the first two games...Didn't stop the losing streak for a couple more games either, and that was a tie

Since then they have one loss...by one goal. We beat an undefeated team for our first win, dominated a decent team last weekend, and won 7-0 today.

They have below average talent so the success is all due to them finally catching on to what they're being told to do....except our sniper. He just does whatever he wants for the most part, and buries at least 2 a game on average.

I love this part of the year when they start to figure it out. I've never coached the top team with the skilled players because my son has always been average. These kids have the same pattern every year. We get smoked at the beginning of the year because it's just freewheeling skill vs skill, which we don't have. Our team always develops throughout the year and the teams that have skill stay the same.

My son has finally gotten really good all the sudden too , and it's awesome.

Douchebag dad's kid is finally on board and playing great. He's the fastest on the team and didn't contribute at all for first 5 games. Funny how the team and his son are doing great, so he's all the sudden really into it

[SKIORFORGETIT]

my son did Tball which ended about a month ago and is finishing up his soccer class this Sunday

I have to say I am very impressed with all of the parents, including myself, with not interfering with the instructors

gives me hope

[fatnslow]

my son did Tball which ended about a month ago and is finishing up his soccer class this Sunday

I have to say I am very impressed with all of the parents, including myself, with not interfering with the instructors

gives me hope

just give yourself a few more seasons........

[dtown]

First year for my son playing hockey on a team vs skills clinics (he's 5). Helping coach our team and we live in a part of the country, TX, where youth hockey is just really getting established to resemble the way it was up north when I grew up. They practice twice a week and have 1 game so three hours of ice time. It's awesome to see the progress most of the kids have made in 8 weeks.

Hasn't happened yet but will see the DBag parents coming out of the woodwork in the next few years...that seems to be the norm down here when it comes to parents and youth sports. Funny though, almost all the dad's coaching are either from Canada or northern hockey playing states.

[nickwm21]

I was looking for the helicopter parenting thread, but this one works...

Bullshit story from polo league I grew up playing in. I have been in plenty of scuffles in the water, but it stays in the water.

Now Pandora's box is open.....

http://news24-680.com/2015/12/16/all...form=hootsuite

[boarddad]

Been coaching my daughter's soccer team since she was old enough to lace them up. Hands down, I will take meddling parents who want to help over divorced parents that use their kids as pawns in their assinine game of "who can handle the divorce worse"? I got no help whatsoever a year ago thanks to the majority of my team having divorced parents who couldn't figure out their own schedule of who "gets the kids" on which weekends. That sucked, so I referee this season instead so I could assure my daughter would be on a team with at least two parents that cared (me and the coach). Worked out pretty well until, sure enough, one of the girls (divorced) Dads decided to punish the Mom by bringing the girl to a playoff game but not letting her play. What an ass! That backfired for him - the team won anyway and he wasn't allowed to even be at the finals the next weekend.

I get it, divorce is rampant, but from a Dad who cares enough to volunteer every weekend and a lot of weeknights, I have to say this; if you and your wife decide to divorce, do everything, and I mean everything in your power to put on a happy face and put your kids first. It's not their fault, and it sure as hell isn't the job of your kids coach to clean up the mess you've made. It's bad enough that you've decided fighting with your ex is more important than participating in your kids very short childhood, it's far worse that you are making things difficult for the other parents and screwing up practices, games etc. with your petty squabble.

[dtown]

^ well said

[Timberridge]

I coach baseball. Two years ago I had a divorced dad and mom duking it out in the bleachers while their 10 yr old son was doing his best to play catcher. I thought he was going to cry when he came into the dugout. I did my best to console him, but it had to be a hard ride home for him.

[4matic]

I was looking for the helicopter parenting thread, but this one works...

Bullshit story from polo league I grew up playing in. I have been in plenty of scuffles in the water, but it stays in the water.

Now Pandora's box is open.....

http://news24-680.com/2015/12/16/all...form=hootsuite

I played water polo in college and coached college women. My college teammate is one of the best HS Water Polo coaches in California. I hate the game. It is lawless. Everything in the game is designed around the whistle and a violation (unlimited violations). Players are taught how to cheat by holding when the ref can't see it. It's dangerous and there are a lot of injuries like the one in that article. I have been kicked, have a bad tooth, elbowed, grabbed, dunked, held under water, and every other means of mayhem in the game. It's just a stupid game.

[east or bust]

I was looking for the helicopter parenting thread, but this one works...

Bullshit story from polo league I grew up playing in. I have been in plenty of scuffles in the water, but it stays in the water.

Now Pandora's box is open.....

http://news24-680.com/2015/12/16/all...form=hootsuite

I played water polo in college and coached college women. My college teammate is one of the best HS Water Polo coaches in California. I hate the game. It is lawless. Everything in the game is designed around the whistle and a violation (unlimited violations). Players are taught how to cheat by holding when the ref can't see it. It's dangerous and there are a lot of injuries like the one in that article. I have been kicked, have a bad tooth, elbowed, grabbed, dunked, held under water, and every other means of mayhem in the game. It's just a stupid game.

Can't speak to water polo.

But taking legal action off the field/ice/pool is not how you even the score in a contact sport. It just lets everyone know how much of a huge pussy you are.


Let's try and get this thread back on topic…
Not so much young kids sports, but my old high school took in a new athletic director a couple years ago and the guy is a complete fucking clown. Plays favorites like no other, IE some sports get buses to all of their games and other accommodations and hockey doesn't get shit because the team was always run through the town program (house league through HS), not specifically by the high school. Long story short, the pretty successful coach of about 7 years stepped down after last season and the new AD prick leaves the team with an ultimatum.. either become fully involved with HS (AD picks coach, be on HS's terms, etc) or no team. Obviously the hockey association agrees cause their hands are tied. AD picks one of his buddies who is a TERRIBLE coach. Sits best players whenever the team is outscoring the opponent instead of finishing them, keep in mind this is supposed to be competitive hockey (a team that made the state finals the last two years). He creates absolutely looney PP systems which have resulted in 4 short handed goals in the first 6 games. Just unbelievable.

[SKIORFORGETIT]

just give yourself a few more seasons........

hahahaa

Some parents really suck.

[SKIORFORGETIT]

I coach baseball. Two years ago I had a divorced dad and mom duking it out in the bleachers while their 10 yr old son was doing his best to play catcher. I thought he was going to cry when he came into the dugout. I did my best to console him, but it had to be a hard ride home for him.

that is sad

I am 100000% certain my wife and I are headed for divorce but no way I would ruin my son's good time. My wife on the other hand is about as immature as her Aunt, which is pathetic

[4matic]

IE some sports get buses to all of their games and other accommodations and hockey doesn't get shit because the team was always run through the town program (house league through HS), not specifically by the high school.

I'm not sure I understand the disconnect? If hockey does not have a school budget how are they supposed to pay for the buses? Out of the the general fund? If it is not a school funded sport there is no budget for buses.

[east or bust]

I'm not sure I understand the disconnect? If hockey does not have a school budget how are they supposed to pay for the buses? Out of the the general fund? If it is not a school funded sport there is no budget for buses.

Sorry, I wrote that in a misleading way. I meant after they merged with the school, no buses, presumably from his grudge carrying over. The hockey association provided buses before the split, now they have no reason to.

[The AD]

I played water polo in college and coached college women. My college teammate is one of the best HS Water Polo coaches in California. I hate the game. It is lawless. Everything in the game is designed around the whistle and a violation (unlimited violations). Players are taught how to cheat by holding when the ref can't see it. It's dangerous and there are a lot of injuries like the one in that article. I have been kicked, have a bad tooth, elbowed, grabbed, dunked, held under water, and every other means of mayhem in the game. It's just a stupid game.

Are the women as bad as the men?

[fatnslow]

Sorry, I wrote that in a misleading way. I meant even after they merged with the school, still no buses, presumably from his grudge carrying over.

Is the hockey program an official high school varsity sport or club sport in your state ?

[east or bust]

Is the hockey program an official high school varsity sport or club sport in your state ?

Believe its an official varsity sport in NJ.

[boarddad]

that is sad

I am 100000% certain my wife and I are headed for divorce but no way I would ruin my son's good time. My wife on the other hand is about as immature as her Aunt, which is pathetic

Sorry to hear that, but I'm sure I speak for the coach, other parents, even your kid when I say that no one outside of you and your soon to be ex gives a shit about your marital problems, and really, that's the way it should be. Get your kid to practice and games on time and volunteer wherever you can. Help with batting practice, work more than your fair share in the snack bar, sell more than your fair share of candy bars, whatever it takes. Your son will have a hard enough time dealing with this without you and your wife using it as an excuse to shirk your responsibilities to his team.

[4matic]

Are the women as bad as the men?

Worse in some ways because the violence is open and in anger. Not to mention the jealousy.

[4matic]

Sorry, I wrote that in a misleading way. I meant after they merged with the school, no buses, presumably from his grudge carrying over. The hockey association provided buses before the split, now they have no reason to.

I doubt that is the case. It just doesn't work like that unless it's some small town deal. A couple things: I have been hired because previous coaches were not aspiring to the values of the school in terms of how the team was being run and the values being taught. Not in any way because I was the best candidate with the most experience. Winning, and especially winning big, is not always the goal. You don't know what kind of pressure the AD or Principal could be under because someone with power is complaining about the way the team is coached. "Settling it on the field" would be a huge red flag for any administration and if you are under the impression that is a correct administration of HS sports conduct I'd have a problem with that.

I would guess the parents and supporters of the team could set up a fund for travel. Why not? I had a kid that wanted to be a quarterback. He sucked. Terrible. Nice kid though. His parents dropped a few thousand to support the football team with no strings attached and the AD said, "that kid plays," and he did. It's not always about talent and winning.

[east or bust]

I doubt that is the case. It just doesn't work like that unless it's some small town deal. A couple things: I have been hired because previous coaches were not aspiring to the values of the school in terms of how the team was being run and the values being taught. Not in any way because I was the best candidate with the most experience. Winning, and especially winning big, is not always the goal. You don't know what kind of pressure the AD or Principal could be under because someone with power is complaining about the way the team is coached. "Settling it on the field" would be a huge red flag for any administration and if you are under the impression that is a correct administration of HS sports conduct I'd have a problem with that.

I would guess the parents and supporters of the team could set up a fund for travel. Why not? I had a kid that wanted to be a quarterback. He sucked. Terrible. Nice kid though. His parents dropped a few thousand to support the football team with no strings attached and the AD said, "that kid plays," and he did. It's not always about talent and winning.

It seems like you took my comments about water polo and the HS situation to go hand and hand, which was not the intended case. First I’d like to clear up my perceived meaning of “settling it on the field”, because you seem to think that implies playing dirty. “Leaving/settling it on the field” is what most kids in sports are taught from an early age. It absolutely doesn’t mean you’re going to out to hurt anyone. If you feel like you were slandered or treated unfairly in a previous game, you go into the next game wanting kick the other team’s ass, and to do it cleanly. You have to expect that at some point in sports you’re going to come across a dirty player or team, to deal with them you don’t stoop to their level, you play to win. I’ve never been taught that taking legal action in sports is the right path, except maybe for very extreme circumstances.

Back to the HS situation, previous coach was not ousted, he got a better gig coaching juniors so he took the opportunity. AD douche hires his buddy over a much more qualified bid from the leading point scorer in the team’s history who is back teaching at the school. I get that this is a difficult situation for someone reading what I’m writing, and I appreciate you’re opinion on the matter because you provided a valid POV, just had to vent.

Just putting this out there, but I’m pretty sure most high schools have a JV and varsity team. Naturally the best players get time on the varsity squad. If other parents caught wind of an under skilled kid playing because mommy and daddy gave the program money, let’s just say that would not sit well with anyone if it compromised the team's ability to do well.

[Stu Gotz]

Just keep reciting the mantra "everything below U12 is irrelevant. Everything below U12 is irrelevant." It will make watching kids sports much more enjoyable.

[54-46]

FYI, school coaching jobs in CA must first be offered to currently employed certificated employees who meet the posted qualifications: http://law.justia.com/cases/californ...th/14/627.html

The schools can set the qualifications to whatever they want, but that's the rule. Sometimes the volunteer will be more qualified, but if the certificated employee meets the basics to qualify then they have a right to the job.

[strawjack]