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Letters
Aug 1, 2008 20:09:45 GMT -6
Post by jgordon1 on Aug 1, 2008 20:09:45 GMT -6
We have about 3-4 seniors who will probably never see a down of football. not even on special teams. They have been in the program and are great kids. Do you give them a letter at the end of the year. I mean these guys do help and are great on scout teams never complain etc. Do you have a set of rules for your letters? THX in advance
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Letters
Aug 1, 2008 20:16:48 GMT -6
Post by sls on Aug 1, 2008 20:16:48 GMT -6
imo, DEFINITLY.
We have a set of guidelines, but the last line in the guidelines says the coach has final say.
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Letters
Aug 1, 2008 20:22:29 GMT -6
Post by k on Aug 1, 2008 20:22:29 GMT -6
"Did this kid make a significant contribution to the team?"
Though all seniors get a letter (something I disagree with btw).
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Letters
Aug 1, 2008 20:48:12 GMT -6
Post by towtheline on Aug 1, 2008 20:48:12 GMT -6
They might not want it
I know I would definitely be insulted by your pity
It depends, I guess everyone is different
They sound like good kids and probably deserve something though
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Letters
Aug 1, 2008 23:49:42 GMT -6
Post by CoachCP on Aug 1, 2008 23:49:42 GMT -6
In my opinion, the least they deserve is a letter.
They worked their tail off. Its not a pitty award. They earned it through hard work and dedication. And they helped the non-scout team players get theirs by working their tail off. Why shouldn't they get some when they helped so many others get theirs?
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Post by tcm57 on Aug 2, 2008 8:54:25 GMT -6
Our simple rule is that all juniors and seniors that finish the season with us in good standing receive a 'letter'.
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Post by phantom on Aug 2, 2008 9:26:44 GMT -6
Our simple rule is that all juniors and seniors that finish the season with us in good standing receive a 'letter'. Same here.
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Post by touchdowng on Aug 2, 2008 9:54:57 GMT -6
We will letter seniors who don't register enough game time but they have to have made a positive contribution.
We need the leadership of the older kids because the younger kids are watching.
One of our "program kids - Steven" who is going to be a senior this year told me that he was thinking about not playing his senior year because it looked like he might not have an opporunity to be a starter despite working his butt off for the past 3 seasons (and he has). He also mentioned that lettering was a goal of his and he was afraid that he may not get enough varsity quarters in if he wasn't a starter. I explained to him that seniors will letter if they are a positive member of our team - If he kept doing what he had for the past 3 seasons, he'd be an "automatic."
He also said that his parents were pressuring him to get a job and if he wasn' t going to be playing much as a senior, it didn't make sense to put all of that time into the program.
I pointed him in the direction of another player who had already finished his senior season and pretty much was in the same situation. The older boy had worked countless hours during the off-season, worked just as hard on his academics but did not start one varsity game his entire time with us. He had strength and decent speed, he just lacked athleticism as compared to his competition. We always tell our kids that, "it's not about you." It's about the other guys and right now he was (or his parents were) putting his individual needs ahead of his teammates.
There isn't a kid on our team that isn't making some type of sacrifice to be part of something bigger than themselves.
I told him to talk with "Brian" to see if it was all worth it to him now that his HS career was done and to also to speak to his position coach about what he needs to work on.
About a week later "Steven" stopped by and said he was IN 100%. He did speak with his former teammate and his position coach. His former teammate told him that he did get to "start" but it was on special teams and he always felt like a leader on the field and didn't want to be looked at as a quitter by anybody.
Right now "Steven" is battling for a starting LB spot. He may not get the start but he'll play a lot as a key substitute.
I think this is a typical senario for many seniors who know that they may not be a starter. That varsity letter might not have been the tipping point for Steven but I'm sure he'll feel a big sense of accomplishment at our Awards night when he receives it.
AND THE YOUNGER KIDS WILL BE WATCHING!
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 11:22:32 GMT -6
Post by fbdoc on Aug 2, 2008 11:22:32 GMT -6
Ok, the kid comes to every practice, always hustles - never dogs it, doesn't complain, lives for scout team, always ready to sub on special teams, supports the starters, and except for his lack of size-strength-speed-talent is the type of kid you want on the team... he has definitely earned a letter. If you don't letter this kid, especially as a senior, you need to ask yourself WHY?
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 12:18:14 GMT -6
Post by coachcb on Aug 2, 2008 12:18:14 GMT -6
This is why I don't like set-rules when it comes to lettering. I know WAYYYY to many programs that run on number of quarters/downs/plays etc for their letters and I think it's B.S. Whether the kids a sophomore or a senior, if the contribute, then they should get a letter.
Personally, I think that the only quantitative criteria for a letter should be % of off-season workouts/other-sports practices attended. A certain percentage of school year off season workouts/sports practices need to be met as well as a separate % for summer workouts.
This could really work in favor of the program; you are giving a tangible reward to the athletes for the activity in the off season. And conversely, "punishing" the kids that don't want to put in the work. It's be awful tough to be a senior, play a good number of varsity downs, and not letter because of you refused to participate in off season workouts or other sports.
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 12:28:07 GMT -6
Post by coachbdud on Aug 2, 2008 12:28:07 GMT -6
it is pretty much a school rule over here, if you play varsity you get your letter. This is the same for every sport
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 12:32:38 GMT -6
Post by coachd5085 on Aug 2, 2008 12:32:38 GMT -6
I think it is a somewhat touchy subject. You need to have lettering mean something, so I am against the criterion of "if you are on the squad, and show up to all of our practices/offseason lifting, you letter" But I also don't think the criterion should be strictly "you must play in 16 different quarters..etc."
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 19:12:35 GMT -6
Post by fbdoc on Aug 2, 2008 19:12:35 GMT -6
I've been at smaller private schools the past few years but we had the same philosophy at big public schools and even at the colleges where I have coached. IF we're talking about seniors, or even underclassmen, who come out every day and bust their tail for the entire season, I believe they have earned their letter. The kids know that the letter has meaning and its not wrapped up in quarters or plays - its about every day in drills, in conditioning, in scout team, in supporting those who are more gifted athletically. That is the meaning of earning a letter. Not something given away - not to those who drift in and out, who complain, who don't give their all to the team. But it is awarded to those who have earned it.
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 19:20:45 GMT -6
Post by carookie on Aug 2, 2008 19:20:45 GMT -6
...... They have been in the program and are great kids. Do you give them a letter at the end of the year. I mean these guys do help and are great on scout teams never complain......... Not to go off subject but these guys will never see a down, really??? I know this aint youth ball, but there won't be a game or two on your season where you'll be up or down by a lot near the end of the game. Maybe then you won't have to worry about them feeling like you gifted them their letter.
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Letters
Aug 2, 2008 20:05:32 GMT -6
Post by jgordon1 on Aug 2, 2008 20:05:32 GMT -6
Guys, thanks for the replies, I really appreciate you and this board.
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