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Post by coachcb on Sept 10, 2010 7:11:09 GMT -6
So, I've got a bit of a conundrum on my hands. As I've posted before, I just took over an 8 man program that's been a wreck for the past two years. But, we played our first game last week and lost by two points. We would've run away with it, but we had two scores called back because of sloppy play on our part. We scored three times as many points as last year's team did in 8 games, COMBINED. We gave up more than we should have on defense, but I've only got 11 guys playing, so we're playing both ways and we were gassed in the second half. The guys that played have been with the program through thick and thin; they're a tough, salty crew that's jelled well.
Here's my issue; I had two guys come out wayy late; they missed all of two-a-days. One of them had a viable excuse; he's 18 years old and was working on a fire fighting crew. He came out as soon as he could. The other player just wondered in late.
Normally, those guys would make up the missed time after practice by going through drills for a half an hour each day. But, we're an isolated school and the kids are bussed in and out; I have to get them off of the field at the same time every day in order for them to catch the bus home. SOO, I can't hold them after. I debated about having my assistant run them through some nasty drills in the middle of practice, but they need the turns with the team to learn our schemes.
Both of these guys are easily the most athletic players we have. Neither of them are eligible for the first two games because they came in so late. If we had them in this last game, we would've been able to get people some blows and they both would have been major producers for us.
They will be eligible by our third game, but I have no idea what to do. I'm not going to start them, but if they get solid turns (say half of the downs), we'll be in great shape. But, there's already been some issues among the rest of the team; they see how athletic these guys are (especially when they're playing scout team D), know that they'll be splitting reps with them pretty soon and are jaded because of it. And, they should be; they put in the work during camp; these two didn't, excuses or not.
I'm in a bind here; we could turn this program around FAST; we could be looking at making the playoffs this year, especially with our late-comers getting turns. But, I'm riding a fine, fine line here..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2010 7:52:27 GMT -6
In the 18 year old's case, if the reasoning is excused, then it's excused. The rest of the team needs to see that and understand that you excused him if they don't already see that. In the other kid's case, it would depend on his year. I wouldn't let a senior come out that late, but I may let a younger kid, because you'll have more years to work with him and get results.
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Post by coachbrek on Sept 10, 2010 8:03:42 GMT -6
Your at a small school with 11 players it's a no brainer play them.
Get these kids a win, build a program.
Good luck
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Post by coachcb on Sept 10, 2010 8:13:14 GMT -6
The AD set a date for the last day the kids could come out for sports; they both made it in time. So, they're on the team. Had they shown up one day later, then they wouldn't be playing.
I need the bodies, there's no way around it. And, it wouldn't matter if they were as athletic as they are either; we need to get blows between series.
Also, before anyone goes off half-cocked and tells me that I'm placing winning above integrity, bear in mind that I left one of our best guys home this last week because he had an unexcused absence. He just didn't show up one day, so he didn't even travel with us. BUT, I can't consider the practices these other guys missed unexcused because they made it out by the cut-off date.
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Post by utchuckd on Sept 10, 2010 8:26:11 GMT -6
But, there's already been some issues among the rest of the team; they see how athletic these guys are (especially when they're playing scout team D), know that they'll be splitting reps with them pretty soon and are jaded because of it. And, they should be; they put in the work during camp; these two didn't, excuses or not. If you have requirements they must complete to be eligible because they came out late, and they meet those requirements, they should be eligible. I see a good teachable moment here. Your other players that have been there need to be shown that this isn't about them losing playing time, it's about helping the team. I know they went through camp and all, but the new guys have done extra work since they got there, plus they don't get to play the first two games. If they other guys can't see that they've paid a price and should be equal at that point they need to look at their own motivations. |
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Post by coachcb on Sept 10, 2010 8:32:04 GMT -6
But, there's already been some issues among the rest of the team; they see how athletic these guys are (especially when they're playing scout team D), know that they'll be splitting reps with them pretty soon and are jaded because of it. And, they should be; they put in the work during camp; these two didn't, excuses or not. If you have requirements they must complete to be eligible because they came out late, and they meet those requirements, they should be eligible. I see a good teachable moment here. Your other players that have been there need to be shown that this isn't about them losing playing time, it's about helping the team. I know they went through camp and all, but the new guys have done extra work since they got there, plus they don't get to play the first two games. If they other guys can't see that they've paid a price and should be equal at that point they need to look at their own motivations. But, that's the core of my issue; they haven't put in any extra work because I can't hold them after practice. Yes, they'll miss the first two games because they aren't eligible and they have been practicing. In one way, I feel like they've paid SOME of their dues and should be starting and taking reps; it's varsity and they're two of the best eleven. BUT, on the flip side, they haven't done the extra work.. |
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Post by utchuckd on Sept 10, 2010 8:53:45 GMT -6
Gotcha. I guess I misread that. Maybe they could go do some running while everybody else warms up, or during individual. Then you could emphasize hey look they've done the extra work for the team, even at the expense of getting their individual reps, so it's time to welcome them as part of the team...(insert motivational team building diatribe here).
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Post by coachcb on Sept 10, 2010 9:37:39 GMT -6
Gotcha. I guess I misread that. Maybe they could go do some running while everybody else warms up, or during individual. Then you could emphasize hey look they've done the extra work for the team, even at the expense of getting their individual reps, so it's time to welcome them as part of the team...(insert motivational team building diatribe here). I did debate about doing that and I just might. But, I have two issues with it: a) It's just me and one assistant and it's my assistant's first year. So, if I gave my johnny-come-lately's something extra work with some substance to do (football related drills), one of us would have to go take care of it. That takes away from the rest of the team. b) I could just make them do something mindless, like running sprints or jogging around the track. BUT, I feel that doing that detracts from their ability to play and compete. Because, bear in mind, that it'd be at least two weeks of extra work. So, I'm kind of at a loss right now. And, in all honesty, I do need them just so I can keep a couple of attitudes in check next week. Well, one attitude; one of the guys that's been around through two a days has developed a mouth on him and I'm going to use one of these two guys that came out late to put him in check. I can't take his starting spot away now (not enough guys), but as soon as these two become eligible, I can threaten the mouthy lil cat. |
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Post by casec11 on Sept 10, 2010 13:50:01 GMT -6
Having to sit out the first two games seems like a pretty decent punishment in itself for coming late. How many games do you play?
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Post by coachcb on Sept 10, 2010 14:03:04 GMT -6
Having to sit out the first two games seems like a pretty decent punishment in itself for coming late. How many games do you play? We play eight; seven in conference and one out of the conference. I know I might get slammed for this one, given that the statement will sound like I'm placing winning over hard work/dedication, but with these two cats, we could easily make the playoffs. We only have to beat three out of the seven teams in our conference to make the first round and I could see us doing that. This last game was sloppy, sloppy, sloppy.. Dumb mistakes, penalties and missed opportunities. We had two scores called back because two of the players don't know the difference between the anterior and posterior of an opponent. We were IN the end zone and they decided to clip.. But, even with those two idiot moves and the mistakes we made, we only lost by two points. If you take away those two penalties but still factor in the sloppy play, we hang probably would have beat them 50-14. They lost to the top team in our conference, 44-6, the week before. So, that tells me something about where we are at. With these two guys; we friggin THROTTLE people. |
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Post by utchuckd on Sept 10, 2010 16:03:49 GMT -6
I don't see it as putting winning above all else. Imo there is an official deadline, they met the deadline, therefore at some point they are on the team just like anybody else. If it takes a couple games, or a few extra sprints or whatever to get there that's fine. But if they're not gonna get to play because of the way it's gonna look, then don't let 'em on the team.
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Post by dubber on Sept 11, 2010 15:28:29 GMT -6
I see nothing wrong with playing them........kids who were there before these guys showed up will come around........
It sounds like your holding back is due to these kids feelings...............not some higher team calling.
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Post by phantom on Sept 11, 2010 22:27:24 GMT -6
I just read your post in the Stories board about the game where you scored 44 but gave up 55 because your defense got tired. You should take these kids. You need bodies. Athletes are even better.
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Post by coachcb on Sept 12, 2010 6:57:41 GMT -6
I just read your post in the Stories board about the game where you scored 44 but gave up 55 because your defense got tired. You should take these kids. You need bodies. Athletes are even better. After yesterday's game, I have come to the very same conclusion; they've got to play and play A LOT. We lost 51-28 and we are friggin banged up... One of our biggest producers went down with a high ankle sprain and everyone started cramping up hard. They're hydrated, but they never leave the field in the middle of the day; I had to blow a time out because my QB/Spin back started cramping up and the officials wouldn't give us an injury blow. Granted, we shot ourselves in the foot in the first quarter with turn-overs, but we still would've been able to give the opposing team a run for their money if we had a few more bodies. BUT, now I've got an even bigger problem. One of the two just didn't show up for practice on Friday; an unexcused absence. So, he's sitting out this next game as well.. He was the one that just sauntered in late in the year. But, I'm stuck right now; with the other cat, we're at 12 guys (yesterday's team had 32) for the next game and 11 of them can actually play ball. I've got a little soph that busts his a-- and he's going to get turns, but he's 5'6'', 100lbs soaking wet and he's going to get hurt. He got run over a few times yesterday; I'm surprised he bounced back up. I mean, we have any injuries at practice or in next week game and we could easily be looking at forfeiting a game. Yesterday, we were one injury away from having to do so. But, we still hung in there; scored our last TD with 9 seconds on the clock and converted the PAT at the buzzer. But, I've got to stick to my guns on this one; you don't show, you don't talk to me about it, you don't play. I debated long and hard yesterday about just taking the kid and running his a-- off this next week and calling it good. But, that just opens up the door for more crap. I told the kids early on, that I wouldn't tolerate unexcused absences and that the consequence could be forfeiting a game, but this is just killing me right now. Here's what's really chapping my a-- right now; we had 5 seniors and juniors that showed up for camp, but we ineligible because of their grades last spring. 3 of them would be starting for us right now; we'd easily be 1-1 right now, at the very least. |
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Post by kboerman on Sept 27, 2010 5:30:17 GMT -6
I feel your pain, we have the same problems. Players coming in late, not showing up at practice except the one before the game (we practice twice a week) etc etc.
Its really hard to punish them because a lot of players are already playing 2-ways and a couple dont even come off the field incl ST.
So we have to find a way to "punish" them on the field whenever they are at practice so every tip is helpful in this department
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2010 8:53:52 GMT -6
Any updates, coachcb? I'm pretty curious to see how this is working out.
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Post by coachcb on Sept 27, 2010 11:08:56 GMT -6
Any updates, coachcb? I'm pretty curious to see how this is working out. Well, one of the two that showed up late is done for the year; hairline fracture of the tibia. The other one has been a big producer for us and a great kid. I'm glad we let him come out. We're dinged up pretty bad right now. We played with 8 guys (they had 24) this weekend and lost 56-26. It was tough, but I've never been more proud of a football team; they played hard and never quit. Right now, the program is in rough shape. We'll be walking into this week's game with 9-10 guys, if we stay healthy through the week. If we have 8 guys, we'll play, if not, we have to forfeit. If we forfeit, there's a good chance football is done in this school. But, on the bright side, we make it through this week, we walk into the next with a full team of 13 guys. Honestly, if we had been healthy this week, we would have had a very good chance of winning. We'll see what happens, if we can make it through this week, we should be able to make it through the season. If I have a year to recruit and get guys out, we'll be in very good shape for next season. It sucks to be looking ahead like that, but I've basically been forced to. |
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