Should I be Coach or Dad?

I run a Wing T Offense and our best player is put at Fullback.

He's also the fastest kid in the league, but he was put there because he gets a bulk of the carries.

I'll say this, as a Coach nothing pisses you off more than when a parent comes up to you and tries to tell you how to do your job. The only thing that remotely comes close is when someone acts like youth football isn't important in the development of players.

That being said, it would be best to keep quiet. A lot of coaches will bench your son if you're causing a problem. If you're unhappy with the coaching than you can simply take him to another league next season, but for now complaining likely will get you nothing but trouble.

If I were the head coach I would have no problem with you bringing your concerns to me - I am always happy to explain my decisions to any player's parent - it really makes no difference if that parent is a coach or not, but I generally always explain everything to the coaches anyway. Don't be surprised if the answer is something along the lines of, "Yes, obviously your son can play WB and he would probably do very well there. I get that playing that position would showcase his abilities better. But, you have to remember that we're not here to showcase any one kid - we're here to try to win as a team and I have to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team, not just one player. We've got 3 other kids that can play WB, probably none of them as well as your son could, but they are all serviceable. However, your son is really the only viable option we have at FB, and FB is the key to this whole offense. If I don't have a reliable FB that can make that kickout block consistently, the whole offense goes to hell. I know it's not where your son wants to play, but it's where we need him."

Now, I'm pretty reasonable and I try to be perceptive, so I would like to think that I would have seen this situation developing long before you ever had to come talk to me, so I would have addressed it with your son long ago - asking him to make the sacrifice for the team and promising him (as a thank you for doing so) some carries at WB (or wherever) once we have games under control.

You'll have to use your own judgement as to whether or not talking with your HC is a good idea.

dsqa,

Great reply!

I would talk with the coach. You sound very level headed and it sounds to me that your thinking is that moving him would be what is best for the team. When you talk with him, don't bring up any former stats. That just doesn't go over well.

Is there a way you can just ask for some reps at WB in practice or as backup WB in the game? Then the OC can decide how he want to do it.

I am in a very similar situation right now with my sons.

I am head coach on the varsity team and we are really good right now. My 9th grade son is the backup guard on varsity and plays some with the varsity. He also is the starting FB/MLB on the JV. I actually am trying to talk my JV coach into moving him to guard on the JV. He is our best FB, but our QB is our best athlete. The way things are working out, the QB just isn't really being that productive at QB. We need to move a 5'2 90 kid who can run the offense to QB and move the QB to FB and my son to guard. I think that might actually make us better. That is your problem in reverse.

My 6th grade son was on a travel baseball team this past spring. We were new to town. He was left field or bench and batted last. It drove my wife crazy. I mean crazy. She was fine in public, but drove me crazy about it. I never said a word and told her it would all work out in the end. We were 0-13 at the time.

She said they are ruining his confidence. I told her it was good for him, and no one can ruin real confidence once you have it. Real confidence comes from within.

Long story short, some changes where made without me saying anything. My son started batting first, pitching, catching, and playing 3rd base. At the end of the season, he led the team in batting by over 150 points, led in runs, stolen bases, rbi's (yes from leadoff), and hits. We went 15-2 over that period and won three tournaments. It all worked out.

This fall he is playing peewee football at our school. In my mind he is clearly the best QB. But we have another QB starting, and you know what - that QB is good also and throws well. My son throws the ball much better, but that isn't as important on peewee. My son is playing WB and DB. He is carrying the ball, catching the ball, blocking like a madman, and hitting hard on defense. They are undefeated and I am not saying a word. It is cool that people notice how well he is doing and say stuff all the time after games how good he is.

Two things bother me: one is that I believe the starting QB's dad has met with the coaches a few times to get them to play his son at QB.

The second is that my son will probably be the starting JV qb next year and isn't getting reps on peewee. He can throw a high school ball better than the peewee QB can throw the little ball - but again the peewee QB throws well. What bothers me is that if he wasn't my son, I would be telling the coaches to play him at QB for this reason. But I ain't saying a word.

ADVERSITY is good.

Been a very tough off season for me. Going through alot with my son and what will happen with him. This helps me out a ton. Love the last line.