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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 9:08:59 GMT -6
I've never been part of a football program that cuts before, but it looks as if it may be inevitable given our numbers and facilities. It would be a few kids that have very little chance of seeing the field that chose not to come out for football last year. Have any of you ever had to do this? I know it's common with the basketball, baseball, etc but not so much with football.
Any advice?
I think I remember seeing a thread about this a while back, but couldn't find it on the first several pages. Mods, please feel free to consolidate/delete in reference to the other thread.
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Post by coachcb on Dec 15, 2011 10:16:47 GMT -6
I've never been involved in a program that cuts as we have always found ways to get the kids some playing time. Split your developmental levels into two teams and try to get them games. If you can't find games, alternate between quarters with each team. We would move the upper echelon of the freshman class to the sophomore/JV program is numbers allowed.
I have always found that there is a HUGE amount of attrition between the freshman and sophomore years. We always lost a ton of kids in this time so cutting would just make it worse.
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Post by Coach Huey on Dec 15, 2011 10:24:27 GMT -6
are you short equipment or lockers?
if short lockers, double 'em up
if short equipment, then, if nothing in budget i guess cut 'em
but "facilities" wouldn't be a reason i would cut
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Post by blb on Dec 15, 2011 10:43:37 GMT -6
I have never cut, don't believe in it for Football.
If your numbers warrant it the onus is on administration-BOE to provide facilities and equipment.
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 11:09:03 GMT -6
I agree with pretty much all of the above stated, I don't necessarily believe in it either. Right now, with the way things stand, our hands are pretty much tied. We're hoping to get some productive answers in the next couple weeks and hope to avoid having to make cuts. The problem is, it's not just a thing getting more money will solve. It's the locker room facilities that is the biggest issue, which can't be fixed overnight.
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Post by coachcb on Dec 15, 2011 12:18:36 GMT -6
I agree with pretty much all of the above stated, I don't necessarily believe in it either. Right now, with the way things stand, our hands are pretty much tied. We're hoping to get some productive answers in the next couple weeks and hope to avoid having to make cuts. The problem is, it's not just a thing getting more money will solve. It's the locker room facilities that is the biggest issue, which can't be fixed overnight. Coach, there are easy ways around a locker room being cramped. The powers-that-be better realize that cutting players is going to cause a whole lot more problems than finding ways to deal with a lack of space. |
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Post by kcbazooka on Dec 15, 2011 13:39:29 GMT -6
thats the best thing about the sports i coach -football and track - you don't have to cut --- i had baseball as a young coach and I hated having to cut.
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 13:44:54 GMT -6
I agree with pretty much all of the above stated, I don't necessarily believe in it either. Right now, with the way things stand, our hands are pretty much tied. We're hoping to get some productive answers in the next couple weeks and hope to avoid having to make cuts. The problem is, it's not just a thing getting more money will solve. It's the locker room facilities that is the biggest issue, which can't be fixed overnight. Coach, there are easy ways around a locker room being cramped. The powers-that-be better realize that cutting players is going to cause a whole lot more problems than finding ways to deal with a lack of space. I agree, this is something we should try to avoid if possible. I'm not the head coach, so it's not ultimately my decision. However, I just wanted to get some feedback. So, to take the discussion to another level: 1) Why is it okay to cut in other sports, but not football? Why is gym space, etc a good reason but locker room space isn't? 2) Why is having kids around that probably will never help you in any way something that should be done? |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 15, 2011 16:00:00 GMT -6
1. There's a big difference between gym space and locker room space. The kids have to practice in a gym and it can get pretty cramped after the cuts are made. The players need to be in the locker rooms for how long? Maybe 5-10 minutes if you run their azzes.
2. The word "probably" is key here. You have no idea where those kids will be down after even a week of practice.
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 16:09:45 GMT -6
Okay, "probably" was being very kind. They will never, in a million years, see the field. Does that make a difference? Some of them are to-be-seniors that have never played organized football before.
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Post by coachcb on Dec 15, 2011 16:21:17 GMT -6
Okay, "probably" was being very kind. They will never, in a million years, see the field. Does that make a difference? Some of them are to-be-seniors that have never played organized football before. Nah, I'd still give them a chance just because it's one of those great things about football; we don't cut. |
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pevyk
Probationary Member
Posts: 5
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Post by pevyk on Dec 15, 2011 16:22:26 GMT -6
1) its much easier to work around some problems like locker room space (we have lockerrooms only on gameday).
2) kids learn a lot through sports teamwork, discipline... you name it. they deserve an opportunity to play and you can create a lot of competition.
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 17:12:42 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? Quite honestly, it would make me a little sad to have to cut these kids. Is it best for the program to have 110 kids dressing in a locker room built for 70 and stretching the budget thin for having to order extra equipment, the cost of travel going up for extra busses, the cost of meals increasing, etc?
Again, I'm not being a cold hearted prick here. I'm a pretty sensitive dude when it comes to kids. Like I said, I hope we don't have to go there. I know being a part of something for just this one year can make a difference in these kids lives. I also understand, sometimes in life you're just not good enough and you will not be included in everything. It seems to be okay for every other sport, but for football it's seen as taboo.
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Post by blb on Dec 15, 2011 17:30:34 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? Again, I'm not being a cold hearted prick here. I'm a pretty sensitive dude when it comes to kids. Kind of contradictory, coach. Do you believe all kids can benefit from being in your program whether they're big contributors on game night, or not? |
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Post by fantom on Dec 15, 2011 17:31:23 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? Quite honestly, it would make me a little sad to have to cut these kids. Is it best for the program to have 110 kids dressing in a locker room built for 70 and stretching the budget thin for having to order extra equipment, the cost of travel going up for extra busses, the cost of meals increasing, etc? Again, I'm not being a cold hearted prick here. I'm a pretty sensitive dude when it comes to kids. Like I said, I hope we don't have to go there. I know being a part of something for just this one year can make a difference in these kids lives. I also understand, sometimes in life you're just not good enough and you will not be included in everything. It seems to be okay for every other sport, but for football it's seen as taboo. Do you expect to have 110 there in August? How many did you have this year? |
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Post by blb on Dec 15, 2011 17:42:29 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? No, we're in the education "business", and what is best for kids that want to be part of program is the reason to HAVE a Football program. |
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 15, 2011 18:24:08 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? Again, I'm not being a cold hearted prick here. I'm a pretty sensitive dude when it comes to kids. Kind of contradictory, coach. Do you believe all kids can benefit from being in your program whether they're big contributors on game night, or not? I'm not taking a stance one way or the other. I'm just trying to get some discussion and opinions. Like I said, I hope I don't have to be a part of cutting kids. And yes... I believe we have a lot to offer kids, even if they never see the field. Fantom- good point. I would say probably not but we could still have over 100. We had about 85 this year. But we had a breakout season and return a lot of guys. A lot of kids that weren't out want to be a part of it now. |
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Post by fballcoachg on Dec 15, 2011 18:47:35 GMT -6
Coach,
I think you do the best you guys can to keep them while doing what's best for your team (thinking rep wise). Those that don't want to be a part of a program that they won't play for will cut themselves by not working hard in the offseason or not showing up. If there are kids that will never see the field that are still working and coming everyday doing what you ask them then what can they hurt? If the roster does get too out of hand then maybe have a varsity dress list but let them all be a part of it if they are going to do what is asked. I would have to assume that this is a very good problem to have particularly considering what you guys are trying to do there, looks as if you are doing something right.
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Post by fantom on Dec 15, 2011 19:19:36 GMT -6
Kind of contradictory, coach. Do you believe all kids can benefit from being in your program whether they're big contributors on game night, or not? I'm not taking a stance one way or the other. I'm just trying to get some discussion and opinions. Like I said, I hope I don't have to be a part of cutting kids. And yes... I believe we have a lot to offer kids, even if they never see the field. Fantom- good point. I would say probably not but we could still have over 100. We had about 85 this year. But we had a breakout season and return a lot of guys. A lot of kids that weren't out want to be a part of it now. Let's see how many make it through the offseason program then worry about it. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 15, 2011 20:45:23 GMT -6
Are we in the charity business or are we in this to do what may be best for our football program? Quite honestly, it would make me a little sad to have to cut these kids. Is it best for the program to have 110 kids dressing in a locker room built for 70 and stretching the budget thin for having to order extra equipment, the cost of travel going up for extra busses, the cost of meals increasing, etc? You could save by having a travel squad... only certain players are fed and travel... |
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clloyd
Sophomore Member
Posts: 210
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Post by clloyd on Dec 15, 2011 22:13:48 GMT -6
Travel squad works. When mom asks why he isn't traveling you can just say that he is not in the top 50 that basically answers the question and parents should get the hint. All players dress for home games. I do understand the concern. And the question about why other sports should cut. Being part of a great baseball program but never playing could help kids too. But guess what they still cut???
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Post by coachwoodall on Dec 16, 2011 8:16:03 GMT -6
I don't understand cutting players in football. Football is a numbers game. Yeah, you can only put 11 on the field at once, 22 if you 2 platoon. Add a couple of kickers - 24. Add a JV that makes 48. Add a Cteam that makes 72.
Don't have enough lockers, there are some places that would love to have lockers period.
Don't have enough fields to practice on, again ask around there are places that practice in parking lots.
If you start cutting players, then you are just cutting your own throat. You might not sever the jugular, but you will bleed not the less.
Now if the admin is MAKING you cut players, then that is a whole other problem.
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 16, 2011 8:53:44 GMT -6
Don't have enough lockers, there are some places that would love to have lockers period. Just curious, how do you store your stuff without lockers and facilities? Have the kids take it home everyday? It's easy to say these things, but when the shoe is on your foot it's not as easy as it sounds. |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 16, 2011 9:04:50 GMT -6
Don't have enough lockers, there are some places that would love to have lockers period. Yes indeed... We don't have lockers; our kids keep their gear in travel bags that get stuffed into our equipment room. Along with the popcorn maker, hot dog warmer and family of Asian people that our AD hoards in there. Coach, cutting is a bad idea, there's no way around it. |
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Post by emptybackfield on Dec 16, 2011 9:09:46 GMT -6
Don't have enough lockers, there are some places that would love to have lockers period. Yes indeed... We don't have lockers; our kids keep their gear in travel bags that get stuffed into our equipment room. Along with the popcorn maker, hot dog warmer and family of Asian people that our AD hoards in there. HAHA...great stuff. So you guys keep travel bags in there? They swing by after school, get their bag, and then go dress where? I know it's a bad idea and something we want to avoid. In the end, it's not going to be my call. |
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Post by coachcb on Dec 16, 2011 9:21:52 GMT -6
They dress in a "locker" room that doesn't have football lockers. The lockers we have are the tiny ones that fitness centers and gyms use and we can't even fit a helmet in them. I asked the AD if we could use them for everything but the shoulder pads and helmets to save us room and was shot down. He won't let me padlock them for the players and the "locker room" is always open; stuff gets stolen all the time.
So, yeah, I bust a-- over to the equipment room after school and open it up for the kids. Unless, of course, we have a home volleyball game. Then the away team uses our locker room so we store our stuff in the boys bathroom and change there. The equipment room is in that locker room and the AD forbids me from using it during volleyball games.
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Post by olinecoach61 on Dec 16, 2011 9:37:48 GMT -6
Our kids dress in the weightroom, the opponent dresses in the auditorium, we don't have any locker room. We also went to a travel list this year, saved a lot of headaches.
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Post by ajreaper on Dec 16, 2011 11:43:11 GMT -6
Don't do anything- they'll cut themselves in the coming months. Seems silly to worry about cutting anyone in December.
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