So I show up to lifting today ....

Maybe give them a week or two to get away then call them (and maybe their parents) in and have a talk. Sometimes kids just wanna be kids. If they still aren't in after that then hell with them "you gotta dance with who ya brung"

I agree with Kyle. One thing I'd anticipate is that after a week or two of 2-a-days they'll magically find their desire. When you talk to them in a few days let them know that that won't be happening- they're not sitting out the summer then coming back late.

Get your captains on them, Letting down a coach means nothing to guys like this. But letting down their friends and teamates does get to them a little bit.

good luck

All good advice, get their firends/ teammates to use friendly peer pressure to remind them of all the memories and fun they will have and that they only get one chance to play. Also, if you see them around town, don't spurn them/ ignore them or talk negatively to others outside the staff about their decision be open and accessible if they want to talk to you. Wait a week or two and then call like Kyle and the others said. The important part is to get thir teammates to really talk them into coming back because we as coaches might know what's "best" for them or know what they will regret but it means less to them than what their friends/ teammates will say and think.

I agree. I gave up football in high school because I was burned out. I have asked myself why I did it many times in the last few years.

OUCH!!!!

Does that ever sting. If you coach long enough, some version of this will happen to you. When you look back on it, there were usually warning signs. It still hurts, because we all put a big piece of ourselves into what we do. When a kid quits, it's hard not to take it personally.

The lure of cash is SO strong for kids. Having cash gives you status, even at that age. If you are broke, you are a loser, but if you have some 20s in your wallet, you are a somebody. The job thing often coincides with the fact that these kids just don't want it anymore - the fire has gone out.

As others have suggested, send your captains after them in a few weeks, and you make your appeal also. If it doesn't work, you move on. It sucks, but there are a lot of kids who want to be there, and who are looking to you for leadership. Kick the wall at home, then paste on your best smile for those kids who deserve it.

This is my 18th year coaching. This happens. It still sucks. But it happens.

I'll give them some space. Working isn't all it's cracked up to be. They will find out real quick.

Oh, you absolutely have to try.

You know, I can understand kids getting burned out when you're doing a lot of things in the off-season; football period, spring ball, camps all summer, etc.. BUT, that's only because they're 17-18 years old and have no clue how 'burned out' they're going to become in the next couple of years.. H-ll, college is a whole lot of fun, but it is a whole lot more stressful than playing football.

I don't think they'll want to come back during 2-a-days, they'll figure that they've just extended their summer... However, when the first game of the year rolls around, you can be sure they'll want to come back.

As phantom said; remind them that the summer work outs are 'voluntary'; practice is mandatory. In the past programs I have been involved in, we have had kids who choose to go to baseball camp, during two a days, once the summer season is over. When they wanted to come back, we let the kids decide what kind of extra work these kids would have to do, to even be involved in football that year. If they chose not to do it, then they wouldn't play. Plus, they knew that they would the first few games even if they made up the extra work.

I, personally, don't like to lay down ultimatums when it comes to these situations. I would rather give them a chance, but allow the rest of the team to be involved in it.

I wouldn't go that far. I've already said that I don't expect it to work out. Still, it happens.

Is the one hour a day required? I know of a few teams around here that do stuff during the summer 4 or 5 days a week.

I can see a kid getting burned out having to get up early everyday during the summer to lift.. or not being able to go out with their friends because they have to be in the weightroom everyday in the evening.

I have always been a proponent of opening it alot and allowing them to show on their schedule.. or.. only opening it a couple of times a week throught the entire day.

They are still kids.. and kids want to enjoy the summer just like everyone else.

We're only open three days a week from 6-8 PM.

Never known a kid yet to not regret quitting football. But they have to learn it for themselves. Sounds like these two got together, came up with a reason for quitting and justify it to each other. Maybe some peers can get to them.


If these guys come back, even tomorrow, they are not captain material. Their actions and words eliminated that priviledge.