rooster
Sophomore Member
Posts: 246
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Post by rooster on Mar 27, 2007 7:38:05 GMT -6
Okay, coaches, I've got a principal that wants me to let a kid out for football who is nothing but "bad news". He's been locked up in juvenial campus, deals drugs, is in trouble every other day at school, and yet he wants me to let him out for football??? Am I wrong that participating in high school athletics is a priviledge and you have to earn that priviledge? This kid is a dirt ball and has earned nothing! I told the prinicpal that I am not allowing him out, but his response was that I have to.
What would your response be to the principal?
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Post by captain31 on Mar 27, 2007 8:09:21 GMT -6
Let the kid on the team and as soon as he messes up give him the boot.
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Post by coachcalande on Mar 27, 2007 8:17:06 GMT -6
Teach the kid how to be a man. TEach the kid how to live life without being a dirt ball.
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Post by coachjd on Mar 27, 2007 8:20:21 GMT -6
I would give him a shot and make sure he understands the expectations. Once he fails to meet the expectations, give him the boot.
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Post by tribepride on Mar 27, 2007 8:28:21 GMT -6
We get a number of players like that every year. We don't have the luxury of numbers so we will give most any kid an oppurtunity. Most can't handle the responsibility of being a football player and they take care of themselves(quit). We have others that enjoy playing and that in-turn improves their behavior and school work. You are not out anything by giving the kid a chance....if he messes up boot him, if he does well you have just gained an extra player.
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Post by coachveer on Mar 27, 2007 8:32:59 GMT -6
Coch,
I got to say those are easy one for me. We give the kid the opportunity to meet our expectations. We just can't lower them.
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Post by wildcat on Mar 27, 2007 10:40:16 GMT -6
Can the kid play? Does he have any ability? Sometimes, those kids who are rough around the edges make darned good football players...
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rooster
Sophomore Member
Posts: 246
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Post by rooster on Mar 27, 2007 11:08:28 GMT -6
Coaches, don't get wrong. I'm all for giving a kid a chance and even a second chance. But this kid hasn't approached me about playing, he isn't in our off-season strength program (probably because it's too much for him), and will probably be suspended from school for some infraction by the end of this week. I have a hard time with this.
To me, those aren't meeting program expectations.
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Post by CVBears on Mar 27, 2007 11:14:57 GMT -6
let the kid come out for the team and treat him like any other. look out for him and his well being. be supportive, but hold him to the same standard as everyone else. If he breaks policy, show him the door like you would any other kid. Lots of kids have "bad histories." For whatever reason, some kids' histories are more visible than others.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Mar 27, 2007 11:32:32 GMT -6
Coaches, don't get wrong. I'm all for giving a kid a chance and even a second chance. But this kid hasn't approached me about playing, he isn't in our off-season strength program (probably because it's too much for him), and will probably be suspended from school for some infraction by the end of this week. I have a hard time with this. To me, those aren't meeting program expectations. Make it clear that if he wants to play, he needs to have a sit down with you and his parents/guardians if you can. Lay out the ground rules but don't consider this a "special case." Treat him like any other player. If coming to workouts or having a clean record in school is part of your expectations, then he must abide. It's amazing what kids will do to be on a team when they want it bad! They will tow the line if they want to play. I dealt with this at my last school regularly. Everything except for the principal butting in- we were lucky that he supported our decisions 100% all the time... |
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Post by brown40 on Mar 27, 2007 11:45:40 GMT -6
Give him a shot, but get rid of him when he screws up. Make sure you have a policy in place so that it is clear as to what the expectations are so your Principal can't say you didn't give the kid a fair chance.
Granted, it is easy to run kids off, but you can't save everyone.
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Post by brophy on Mar 27, 2007 12:10:15 GMT -6
WHAT precludes this kid from playing football in the first place? What merit do you have to prevent him from trying out for the team?
Some kids (majority at my last program) "Need football more than football needs them".
I don't think I have to personally like every kid that plays for me. I think that's part of the beauty of the game. I could detest everything this kid does, but if his effort and performance demand that I respect him, then I respect him for that alone and take an interest in him.
I don't think you have to baby this kid, just provide him an avenue (like every other kid) to prove himself. Football, moreso than any other rite of passage, is a place of escape, proving grounds, and safety that you can't find anywhere else.
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rooster
Sophomore Member
Posts: 246
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Post by rooster on Mar 27, 2007 12:29:48 GMT -6
Thanks to all coaches who provided input. You've made some great points about giving the kid a chance...and about the responsibilities of a coach....thanks again.
rooster
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Post by coachcalande on Mar 27, 2007 12:35:24 GMT -6
Coaches, don't get wrong. I'm all for giving a kid a chance and even a second chance. But this kid hasn't approached me about playing, he isn't in our off-season strength program (probably because it's too much for him), and will probably be suspended from school for some infraction by the end of this week. I have a hard time with this. To me, those aren't meeting program expectations. My advice is to follow the direction that the principal gave you. He is answered to by the Ad...so though he is not the coach, it IS HIS SCHOOL AND HIS TEAM. Now, that might be grounds enough for you to want to walk out, but man, dont burn that bridge over a kid whom the principal thinks a) needs help and b) thinks YOU can help thru football. At the middle school and frosh levels the principal brings me kids all of the time, sometimes IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEASON!!! Now, thats a real inconvenience because a kid like the one you described can destroy a teams chemistry, however, that said, my experience is these kids dont stay eligible so its not an issue. Its always good to remember that the principal is your boss. |
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kr7263
Sophomore Member
Posts: 228
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Post by kr7263 on Mar 27, 2007 12:57:40 GMT -6
I coached at a school with some serious gang activtity. I worked closely with the inhouse resident officer to identify individuals (so that my staff was aware of what was going on) We made sure all players new EXACTLY with crystal clear clarity our expectations and vision for the team. We held ALL players responsible and accountable. If they did not tow the line they were gone - no if ands or buts. The reality is this worked for some, but not all. We made an impact on some, but not all (I can name at least 5 kids that ended up in the military and have now finished college or some type of degree). Make sure you use all resources (special ed teachers; counselors; police; paroll officers) so that you get a clear picture of the kid. Also, know that almost all of the parenting / guardians are non existant - will not support or help in any way. Good Luck and keep in mind its not all about winning and loosing football games.
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Post by spartancoach on Mar 27, 2007 14:02:37 GMT -6
"Need football more than football needs them".
Well said Broph. We get some of these kids each year. A few actually find something positive in football, take to it, and does wonders to start to turn the kids life around.
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Post by bulldogoption on Mar 27, 2007 18:19:56 GMT -6
Some state associations would not allow you to not let him play football. He probably deserves a chance just like any joe schmoe walking the halls. You are probably right that it is a matter of time before he screws up. I wouldn't worry about him being a dirtbag at practice. I had a kid with an ankle bracelet come out for football. He didn't say boo and played his butt off for two weeks, the first two weeks of football, in the summer, before our classes began. Then school started, and he got back with his other dirtbag friends and it was all over. He quit. But at practice he was surrounded by good kids and didn't dare say anything or screw off.....He deserves a chance. He will probably screw it up, but needs a chance still.
As for the offseason program.....A kid like that sees absolutely no value in it....The kids in the program know how fun and hard football is, they have bought in. A kid like you are wondering about would not buy in until after the whole season is over.
As always, one man's opinion.
Good Luck
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Post by tye2021 on Mar 28, 2007 6:37:10 GMT -6
Think of it this way. This is an opportunity for you to have an influence an this kids life. You and the game of football could be what this kid needs to turn his life around. Alot of times they DON'T have that direction at home. He could get that from you or some one on your staff.
Hold his feet to the fire, treat him the same as everone else. Don't let him get away with anything but MAKE SURE he feels welcome. Make sure he understands its up to him to make an effort and obide by the rules or he is gone.
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jlt
Junior Member
Posts: 313
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Post by jlt on Mar 28, 2007 7:40:27 GMT -6
My advice is... and ive dealt this kinda situation before.
Is on the first day as they arrive take them to one side and sit them down for a 1 to 1 chat. Explain that you are giving them a chance despite what you think and that there is a strict discipline involved int he game. If they can make the season they will be a better man for it.
Explain the rules of the team clearly so he knows exactly what is ok and what is not. That wya when he oversteps the mark the principle hasnt got a leg to stand on when you cut him.
Also the kid might actually suprise you and change his ways.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2007 7:41:07 GMT -6
Frustrating I'm sure, and probably a little fear creeps in that if you have any other borderline kids on the team he could drag them down with him.
Nothing different than what anyone else has said--he may get in trouble and be done anyway.
Or it may be the principal's idea and the kid doesn't show. Or he misses 3 straight practices and gets booted (what we do). Or he quits after he gets the tshirt and shorts. Or he works his tail off, avoids trouble and benefits from it.
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Post by airman on Mar 28, 2007 17:15:38 GMT -6
there is a really very simple solution to this. the principal want him on the team, make the prinicpal accountable. tell the prinicpal it is his job to make sure the kid gets to off season conditioning/weights. we will be glad to have him on the team but sense you want him there, you become the person accountable.
I always love how people in educcation think it is the coaches job to make well disciplined kids from troubled youth, but then they will question the methods used by the coach. the coach will then be a mean spirited individual.
I tell people to watch full metal jacket. I love gunnery sarg ray lee emery or sarg, carter in gomer pile. sarg carter was tough but a good man.
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Post by coachcoyote on Mar 28, 2007 22:51:35 GMT -6
Give him a chance. He may be the next stud on your team, or he might be the dirt bag you feel he is. I've worked with many kids like this in my career, but I'm still bulldog enough to feel I made a difference. Were they all successes? No. Were they all failures? No. Some stayed and some left, but you never know what influence, even for a brief moment, you've had on him. Winning and losing starts to overshadow why we are here, doing what we do. Build 'em up, coach 'em up and teach 'em up. Let them run with it after you've done what you can.
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