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Post by fantom on Apr 21, 2017 9:18:50 GMT -6
99% of the time when a kid quits football he gives one of three reasons:
1. "My mom wants me to work on my grades"
2. "I'm getting a job"
3. "I'm concentrating on baseball/basketball"
Every now and then you hear one that comes out of left field. Have you ever heard one that was really weird? We had a kid who said he was quitting to focus on "semi-pro cage fighting".
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Post by StraightFlexin on Apr 21, 2017 9:27:52 GMT -6
99% of the time when a kid quits football he gives one of three reasons: 1. "My mom wants me to work on my grades" 2. "I'm getting a job" 3. "I'm concentrating on baseball/basketball" Every now and then you hear one that comes out of left field. Have you ever heard one that was really weird? We had a kid who said he was quitting to focus on "semi-pro cage fighting". About a month ago I heard. "I have shin splints and the doctors do not think I should take part in outdoor activities." |
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Post by coachwoodall on Apr 21, 2017 9:48:04 GMT -6
I told this one before. 1st year coaching, 1st day in pads. We warm up and then have a 'rousing' round of Oklahoma for about 30 minutes. We take a break to get water. This good ole boy saunters over to the coaches and says, "Coach J, y'all so nuff fo for real out here!"
Coach J says, "Yes, we get after it a bit."
Player says, "Welp, I'm gonna take it to the house." And proceeds to head back to the locker room.
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Post by carookie on Apr 21, 2017 10:03:39 GMT -6
I coached with some guys who came from a school where a player quit to focus on shopping cart pushing competitions. Allow me to explain.
Apparently he worked as a bag boy part time at some grocery store chain, and once a year each store in the region would chose one bag boy to be in a local competition where theyd push a bunch of shopping carts across the parking lot in a timed event. Well, I guess this kid was the best in the metro area, and really wanted to focus on nationals, so he quit the team to focus his time on pushing shopping carts.
This was over a decade ago, now they just have that machine to do it for them...wussification of America continues.
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Post by hunhdisciple on Apr 21, 2017 10:30:12 GMT -6
We had a kid quit because his girlfriend didn't like the way he smelled after practice and before he showered. She threatened to break up with him.
We had a kid quit to try and become a rodeo clown.
We had a kid quit because he got tripped during summer 7v7. And his exact words are "If high school football is gonna be like that, then I quit. That's cheap. Ain't no reason to be actin like that." Here's the catch: It was purely an accident. Long ball, guys feet got tangled. That happens. But apparently, it was just the worst thing to ever happen to him.
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Post by Party@QB on Apr 22, 2017 8:55:54 GMT -6
To focus on MMA
Get ACT score up 10 points before he graduates (was a senior)
True story, 2 days ago a 9th grader walks up to the door of the coaches office. He has the "look" on his face, the one that says I'm about to go into early retirement. I said, "Hey man, the answer is NO." He looks bewildered, so I continue with, "you can't quit, because I didn't give you permission to quit."
He drops his head, grins, and walks away.... he and mom were at player parent meeting THAT night, signed him up, filled out his paper work and he was back in the weight room the next day.
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Post by Defcord on Apr 22, 2017 13:16:19 GMT -6
The saddest one I had was a kid had to quit to babysit his little brother. I thought maybe it was just an excuse but I called his mom and she said she got a new job and he was the only option. The little brother was 8 or 9 so I told her he could just come to practice but there was no way to get him there.
The stupidest one was a kid that skipped practice to get a hair cut so we ran him pretty good. He never showed back up. I don't know why a person would run their butt off and quit. If I were going to quit, I wouldn't hang around for the exercise.
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Post by Defcord on Apr 22, 2017 13:17:29 GMT -6
I told this one before. 1st year coaching, 1st day in pads. We warm up and then have a 'rousing' round of Oklahoma for about 30 minutes. We take a break to get water. This good ole boy saunters over to the coaches and says, "Coach J, y'all so nuff fo for real out here!" Coach J says, "Yes, we get after it a bit." Player says, "Welp, I'm gonna take it to the house." And proceeds to head back to the locker room. I respect a kid that is honest and says it's just not for him. |
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Post by jgordon1 on Apr 22, 2017 16:21:38 GMT -6
I think we have all had thoughts of quitting at one time or another..I had made my mind up and I was getting the courage up to quit...my OL coach who I hated w/ my soul came up to me..not looking me in the eyes and says..sometimes football isn't for everyone...I thought to myself FU... today is not the day...he ended up writing me a letter of congratulations when I became captain of my college team...I wrote him back reminding him in DETAIL of the day I will never forget..he ended up writing me a long apology letter..I was talking to one of my teammates the other day and 35 years later we decided we still hate that MF'er
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Post by Party@QB on Apr 22, 2017 16:30:39 GMT -6
I think we have all had thoughts of quitting at one time or another..I had made my mind up and I was getting the courage up to quit...my OL coach who I hated w/ my soul came up to me..not looking me in the eyes and says..sometimes football isn't for everyone...I thought to myself FU... today is not the day...he ended up writing me a letter of congratulations when I became captain of my college team...I wrote him back reminding him in DETAIL of the day I will never forget..he ended up writing me a long apology letter..I was talking to one of my teammates the other day and 35 years later we decided we still hate that MF'er Football IS for everybody, but that not everybody's for football. I love that no tryouts are needed for most football teams making it one of the only all-inclusive sports in high school, and the reason there aren't more tryouts needed is because everybody can't or won't give what it takes to play. |
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Post by coach55 on Apr 22, 2017 22:06:07 GMT -6
We had one quit because he thought he was losing to much hair taking his helmet off and on.
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Post by Defcord on Apr 23, 2017 6:04:13 GMT -6
I think we have all had thoughts of quitting at one time or another..I had made my mind up and I was getting the courage up to quit...my OL coach who I hated w/ my soul came up to me..not looking me in the eyes and says..sometimes football isn't for everyone...I thought to myself FU... today is not the day...he ended up writing me a letter of congratulations when I became captain of my college team...I wrote him back reminding him in DETAIL of the day I will never forget..he ended up writing me a long apology letter..I was talking to one of my teammates the other day and 35 years later we decided we still hate that MF'er Football IS for everybody, but that not everybody's for football. I love that no tryouts are needed for most football teams making it one of the only all-inclusive sports in high school, and the reason there aren't more tryouts needed is because everybody can't or won't give what it takes to play. I disagree with the idea that football is for everyone, but I do think it's an interesting statement. Could you elaborate on your thought? |
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Post by utchuckd on Apr 23, 2017 6:16:01 GMT -6
We had a kid quit because his girlfriend didn't like the way he smelled after practice and before he showered. She threatened to break up with him. Undefeated. |
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Post by bluboy on Apr 23, 2017 6:52:54 GMT -6
"Football IS for everybody, but that not everybody's for football." I agree with this statement in that football teaches life lessons(hard work, team work, overcoming adversity, bouncing back after disappointment-to name a few) that young men need but do not really get in the classroom, and that we (football coaches) are part of a small group who teach these lessons. I also believe that for some, football is the stable family that they do not have at home.
The issue, as I see it, is that SOME young people can't or won't put in the time and effort that football requires to learn these lessons (like the coach who doesn't want to watch any film, but wants to make all the calls on game day).
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Post by Party@QB on Apr 23, 2017 7:13:06 GMT -6
Football IS for everybody, but that not everybody's for football. I disagree with the idea that football is for everyone, but I do think it's an interesting statement. Could you elaborate on your thought? Sure, football does not tell students that they aren't good enough to play. Basketball holds tryouts and keep the 15 best, baseball has tryouts and keep 30, on and on the list goes. When you come to football the door is open. There are no tryouts to see if your the 50 best to make the team. I realize there are some schools that only keep 65, but most have a hard time finding enough guys to play. So if you are willing to work, give what you have, and take the pain. Football will not reject you. In theory, I've never seen anybody actually do this, but you could have starters on Offense, Defense, KO, KOR, Punt, PR, field goal/pat, onside kick, hands team, or even FG block if you got real creative. That's 110 possible positions, and there's no certain height, weight, shape, speed, or athletic ability needed for all of these. Now, clearly it would be an incredible feat to have 110 different players in those positions, but even if you halved it you would be playing 55 guys in key roles during the game. and if you want to be 2-deep thats back at 110. Which lead me to football needs as many players as there are willing students to come out. Even if a kid can't play football for something like a medical reason, there is a place for him. We have film guys(girls), managers that do anything from water to setting out dummies and cones for drills. There are ball boys needed for Friday night. There is no sport as inclusive as football, the only reason a player can't make it is because THEY aren't willing. THEIR lack of effort can't and shouldn't be blamed on football. I have a son, when he's a teenager I will not force him to play football. But, because I think football teaches the greatest lessons he'll learn in high school, he WILL be involved in football. Whether that's as a manager, film guy, ball/water boy, or even my film tagger/data enterer, he WILL be at practice and around the sport. got long, sorry about that, hope it came out clear. |
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Post by Defcord on Apr 23, 2017 7:18:17 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone.
What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)?
I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone.
Maybe, I don't understand the statement.
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Post by silkyice on Apr 23, 2017 7:56:33 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. You don't understand it. Don't forget the second part of what he said. Football is for everybody. But not everybody is football. Meaning anyone can be on the team. Anyone can help the team in some way. Manager, bag holder, etc. Take the weakest, smallest, slowest, dumbest kid and he can still be on the team and contribute in someway. It doesn't matter his race or socio-economic status. He can also learn the life lessons that football teaches. Everybody is not for football. Some people just can't take the discipline, self-sacrifice, commitment, teammwork, hard work. Well, they can, but they choose not to. And that is fine. I don't think there is necessarily judgement in these words. No statement was made that football is the only activity that can apply this statement. |
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Post by td4tc on Apr 23, 2017 8:16:35 GMT -6
Take the weakest, smallest, slowest, dumbest kid and he can still be on the team and contribute in someway. It doesn't matter his race or socio-economic status. He can also learn the life lessons that football teaches. The huddle in football is one of the only places these days where kids from all races, religions and body types get together in close proximity without cell phones to plan the future. (or the next play) The Quitters I hate are when they don't even come to you especially if they are newbies that we have recruited from the hockey or bball teams. I tell the kids on day one of practice, Don't dare quit without telling me. I need to know what's wrong and why cause maybe things have been a little hectic and "I haven't even had a chance to really evaluate you yet but I think you're going to be great". |
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Post by Defcord on Apr 23, 2017 8:17:11 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. You don't understand it. Don't forget the second part of what he said. Football is for everybody. But not everybody is football. Meaning anyone can be on the team. Anyone can help the team in some way. Manager, bag holder, etc. Take the weakest, smallest, slowest, dumbest kid and he can still be on the team and contribute in someway. It doesn't matter his race or socio-economic status. He can also learn the life lessons that football teaches. Everybody is not for football. Some people just can't take the discipline, self-sacrifice, commitment, teammwork, hard work. Well, they can, but they choose not to. And that is fine. I don't think there is necessarily judgement in these words. No statement was made that football is the only activity that can apply this statement. Thanks for the clarification. I incorrectly inferred that football was being elevated above other endeavors. |
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Post by coachcb on Apr 23, 2017 8:17:15 GMT -6
It's always been about "not getting hurt for basketball/baseball", in my experience. This started popping up more and more after the concussion craze hit.
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Post by jgordon1 on Apr 23, 2017 8:35:36 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. I'll bite on this one. Just to clarify before I start...I am all for kids participating in ANY after school activity.. That being said, a good friend of mine has a son in 6th grade..he has been a baseball player since he was practically born...this year he decided he wanted to play football..I/we got him on a team that we knew had a good coach. so I go to watch him play a few games and the mom offhandedly said "Tony has never been so close to his baseball teammates as he is to his football teammates, perhaps we need to have more team dinners or something...I said Tony has been sweating and bleeding with these guys for 7 weeks now, a team dinner won't be able to replicate that kids literally bleeding, and fighting for each other and a TEAM is what separates football for other endeavors...no other school sport,IMO, can replicate it.. |
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Post by Defcord on Apr 23, 2017 10:02:51 GMT -6
I agree that football teaches great life lessons, but don't think that the game is suited for everyone. What does football have over other sports, or band, or drama, or getting a job, or even becoming a competitive video gamer (schools are offering scholarships for this now)? I like too see kids committ to something and work to master their skill and contribute to a larger cause. Football was definitely that vehicle for me, but I don't see it being the right fit for everyone. Maybe, I don't understand the statement. I'll bite on this one. Just to clarify before I start...I am all for kids participating in ANY after school activity.. That being said, a good friend of mine has a son in 6th grade..he has been a baseball player since he was practically born...this year he decided he wanted to play football..I/we got him on a team that we knew had a good coach. so I go to watch him play a few games and the mom offhandedly said "Tony has never been so close to his baseball teammates as he is to his football teammates, perhaps we need to have more team dinners or something...I said Tony has been sweating and bleeding with these guys for 7 weeks now, a team dinner won't be able to replicate that kids literally bleeding, and fighting for each other and a TEAM is what separates football for other endeavors...no other school sport,IMO, can replicate it.. I will bite back. I love football. It changed my life. I had six guys in my wedding. Three relatives and three teammates. I am all-in on the benefits of this game. However, I don't believe it has a monopoly on character development. I think when people work together to master a task and achieve a common goal they can gain the same benefits football provides. I think we somewhat agree. I think for positive character mobility there has to be sacrifice of self and an investment in others. I don't think football provides that exclusively. That definitely takes more than team meals as in your example. I have a nephew that is a profession bass player. His commitment to his craft is amazing. His pursuit towards excellence allows him to work with others and create. He has found a path that has allowed him to maximize his talents and contribute to those around him. If he played football he would have been a back up center on the freshmen team as a senior. I have numerous student examples with similar stories. I think everyone could benefit from playing football but I don't think it's the best option for everyone. |
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 10:21:38 GMT -6
99% of the time when a kid quits football he gives one of three reasons: 1. "My mom wants me to work on my grades" 2. "I'm getting a job" 3. "I'm concentrating on baseball/basketball" Every now and then you hear one that comes out of left field. Have you ever heard one that was really weird? We had a kid who said he was quitting to focus on "semi-pro cage fighting". Handy List For Quitters: We don't want to hear a bunch of "alibis" for quitting. We have the following LIST posted, & we tell the to look at the list and "Just Give Me a Number"!!! FIFTEEN REASONS FOR QUITTING (Just Me Me A Number) 1. I no longer want to play. 2. I lost my desire. 3. I need to go to work and earn money. 4. I can't make the necessary sacrifices. 5. I want more freedom. 6. It's against my religion. 7. I need more time to study. 8. I need more time (for my social obligations). 9. I have a girl in trouble. 10. I didn't know it would be this tough. 11. I can't handle the pressure. 12. I can't stand failure. 13. I am really the best - - - you never gave me a chance. 14. Football is no fun anymore. 15. You are playing me out of position. REAL REASON - - - IT'S TOO TOUGH! ******************************************************* PS: I can't REMEMBER the last time we had a player QUIT after August "Two-A Days"! |
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Post by ylspecial on Apr 23, 2017 11:22:05 GMT -6
"Coach, I have plantar fasciitis and need surgery."
"Coach, y'all work too hard."
"Coach, it's hunting season."
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Post by aceback76 on Apr 23, 2017 11:37:48 GMT -6
"Coach, I have plantar fasciitis and need surgery." "Coach, y'all work too hard." "Coach, it's hunting season." REAL REASON - - - IT'S TOO TOUGH! |
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Post by **** on Apr 23, 2017 12:11:13 GMT -6
I think we have all had thoughts of quitting at one time or another..I had made my mind up and I was getting the courage up to quit...my OL coach who I hated w/ my soul came up to me..not looking me in the eyes and says..sometimes football isn't for everyone...I thought to myself FU... today is not the day...he ended up writing me a letter of congratulations when I became captain of my college team...I wrote him back reminding him in DETAIL of the day I will never forget..he ended up writing me a long apology letter..I was talking to one of my teammates the other day and 35 years later we decided we still hate that MF'er To this day I still hate my HS coaches. Being the son of a coach I have loved football since kindergarten. My HS coaches made me hate football and I have vowed to never be like them in my career. |
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Post by carookie on Apr 23, 2017 12:46:57 GMT -6
We had one quit because he thought he was losing to much hair taking his helmet off and on. As a man who is losing too much hair due to his age, I completely understand this one. |
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Post by Coach.A on Apr 23, 2017 12:52:24 GMT -6
99% of the time when a kid quits football he gives one of three reasons: 1. "My mom wants me to work on my grades" 2. "I'm getting a job" 3. "I'm concentrating on baseball/basketball" Every now and then you hear one that comes out of left field. Have you ever heard one that was really weird? We had a kid who said he was quitting to focus on "semi-pro cage fighting". 1. Rarely have I ever seen a quitters grades improve. Managing high school academics and football does not require much effort. Three years ago the top academic performer in our school was our starting QB. This same kid played basketball, track, badminton and soccer. 2. Most student jobs are more than willing to work around a football schedule. About a third of our players have jobs. 3. We've had basketball bench warmers tell us they weren't playing so they could concentrate on basketball while the basketball league MVP was a receiver on our football team....those bench warmers continued to be bench warmers, our receiver is now playing college basketball. Bottom line, those are just excuses. I would much prefer a kid just be honest with me. If a kid tells me that he genuinely doesn't enjoy football, I leave him be....but when kids use the above excuses I can't help but point out the flaws in their reasoning. |
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Post by 19delta on Apr 23, 2017 12:55:13 GMT -6
I disagree with the idea that football is for everyone, but I do think it's an interesting statement. Could you elaborate on your thought? Sure, football does not tell students that they aren't good enough to play. Basketball holds tryouts and keep the 15 best, baseball has tryouts and keep 30, on and on the list goes. When you come to football the door is open. There are no tryouts to see if your the 50 best to make the team. I realize there are some schools that only keep 65, but most have a hard time finding enough guys to play. So if you are willing to work, give what you have, and take the pain. Football will not reject you. In theory, I've never seen anybody actually do this, but you could have starters on Offense, Defense, KO, KOR, Punt, PR, field goal/pat, onside kick, hands team, or even FG block if you got real creative. That's 110 possible positions, and there's no certain height, weight, shape, speed, or athletic ability needed for all of these. Now, clearly it would be an incredible feat to have 110 different players in those positions, but even if you halved it you would be playing 55 guys in key roles during the game. and if you want to be 2-deep thats back at 110. Which lead me to football needs as many players as there are willing students to come out. Even if a kid can't play football for something like a medical reason, there is a place for him. We have film guys(girls), managers that do anything from water to setting out dummies and cones for drills. There are ball boys needed for Friday night. There is no sport as inclusive as football, the only reason a player can't make it is because THEY aren't willing. THEIR lack of effort can't and shouldn't be blamed on football. I have a son, when he's a teenager I will not force him to play football. But, because I think football teaches the greatest lessons he'll learn in high school, he WILL be involved in football. Whether that's as a manager, film guy, ball/water boy, or even my film tagger/data enterer, he WILL be at practice and around the sport. got long, sorry about that, hope it came out clear. Great post, coach. You nailed it. When I was in high school, I was a big, unathletic awkward kid. But I worked my butt off in the weight room and my coaches respected me. As a result, I earned a starting position on a playoff team for a school in my state's largest classification. Were it not for football, I wouldn't have had a sport to play. |
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Post by larrymoe on Apr 23, 2017 13:09:33 GMT -6
About a month ago I heard. "I have shin splints and the doctors do not think I should take part in outdoor activities." We had that once. Kid lost 60lbs from May to July to get down to about 280- freshman btw- never showed up to practices in Aug. Asked him why and he said he'd developed shin splints and his doctor didn't want him to be on his feet so much. 2 years later I bet he's pushing 400. Had a kid skip practice one because he had to go to the mall to help his little brother pick out shoes. Had a kid quit once so he could spend more time focusing on riding 4 wheelers. Had a kid quit once so he could go to JFL practice and "help coach them"- he was a freshman. Translation- my girlfriend is on the 8th grade cheerleaders. Had a kid quit once because he "just wasn't feeling it anymore". All 3 of those kids were in this past seasons Sr class. The 4 wheeler kid was the only one who didn't come back. The not feeling it kid came back as a Jr. Lombardi came back as a Sr. Not feeling it is the only one who is a remotely reliable human being. |
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