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Post by planck on Sept 18, 2019 7:33:10 GMT -6
So for a variety of reasons, we have small junior and senior classes (~12). It has to do with district realignment, but things going forward will be fine (sophs have ~35, freshmen ~30, middle school classes similar). So we have a LOT of sophs playing up (like, 10). This means a lot of freshmen playing up.
Anyway, we try to get as many different kids to play freshmen and soph ball as we can, as long as they can contribute. There is one kid, however, who could contribute but we never pull up because he is a pain in the ass. He will try to overrule the coaches. Last week, he said "we can't blitz, they COULD run counter!" or "in middle school, we did it this way, I think we should do that instead". You get the idea.
Well, finally this week we actually need him to play LB for us. He could help us a lot. But Sunday night, his mom calls the HC and demands to know why he isn't being pulled up when other kids are. You know the song and dance. So HC puts his foot down: kid won't be pulled up this year.
Thanks, Mom.
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Post by Defcord on Sept 20, 2019 8:09:33 GMT -6
So for a variety of reasons, we have small junior and senior classes (~12). It has to do with district realignment, but things going forward will be fine (sophs have ~35, freshmen ~30, middle school classes similar). So we have a LOT of sophs playing up (like, 10). This means a lot of freshmen playing up.
Anyway, we try to get as many different kids to play freshmen and soph ball as we can, as long as they can contribute. There is one kid, however, who could contribute but we never pull up because he is a pain in the ass. He will try to overrule the coaches. Last week, he said "we can't blitz, they COULD run counter!" or "in middle school, we did it this way, I think we should do that instead". You get the idea.
Well, finally this week we actually need him to play LB for us. He could help us a lot. But Sunday night, his mom calls the HC and demands to know why he isn't being pulled up when other kids are. You know the song and dance. So HC puts his foot down: kid won't be pulled up this year.
Thanks, Mom.
I know the mom is probably a PITA, if you guys want to pull him up and she wants him pulled up just seems like have to find a way to get on the same page. Who does not pulling him up help? It doesn't seem to help the team because you said it could help. It isn't going to stop the mom from being annoying, some things don't change. What is the goal here in leaving him down? And is it something that can be accomplished? |
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Post by planck on Sept 20, 2019 9:54:31 GMT -6
I know the mom is probably a PITA, if you guys want to pull him up and she wants him pulled up just seems like have to find a way to get on the same page. Who does not pulling him up help? Long term, everyone. The kid makes it difficult to coach, confuses other kids because he insists on contradicting the staff. I've talked with him directly since Monday and made it really clear: play hard, be aggressive, listen to the coaching staff and "talk a whole lot less." Well, last night the kid stopped fighting with the staff and just did what was asked. He read his keys at LB and had 5 TFLs (a lot of a-gap run throughs reading the guards) and 2 touchdowns rushing. He had a great game. He got the message we were trying to send. It doesn't seem to help the team because you said it could help. It isn't going to stop the mom from being annoying, some things don't change. The reality on the ground is our sophomores probably aren't going to win with him. It's better for us to nip this in the bud and get 3 years of solid play than reward behavior we don't like. What is the goal here in leaving him down? And is it something that can be accomplished? We are sending a message about the culture of our program and what we expect from players: listen, learn, and be a team player. There is a time and place to have a discussion, and that is the film room. Once you're given direction about how we expect something to be done, do it that way. Don't free lance. |
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Post by Defcord on Sept 20, 2019 11:10:00 GMT -6
I know the mom is probably a PITA, if you guys want to pull him up and she wants him pulled up just seems like have to find a way to get on the same page. Who does not pulling him up help? Long term, everyone. The kid makes it difficult to coach, confuses other kids because he insists on contradicting the staff. I've talked with him directly since Monday and made it really clear: play hard, be aggressive, listen to the coaching staff and "talk a whole lot less." Well, last night the kid stopped fighting with the staff and just did what was asked. He read his keys at LB and had 5 TFLs (a lot of a-gap run throughs reading the guards) and 2 touchdowns rushing. He had a great game. He got the message we were trying to send. It doesn't seem to help the team because you said it could help. It isn't going to stop the mom from being annoying, some things don't change. The reality on the ground is our sophomores probably aren't going to win with him. It's better for us to nip this in the bud and get 3 years of solid play than reward behavior we don't like. What is the goal here in leaving him down? And is it something that can be accomplished? We are sending a message about the culture of our program and what we expect from players: listen, learn, and be a team player. There is a time and place to have a discussion, and that is the film room. Once you're given direction about how we expect something to be done, do it that way. Don't free lance. I get holding the kid for him being resistant. My understanding was that you guys were going to play him (so maybe that had been worked out) and then his mom came in and asked about his playing time so you guys changed your decision. My thought is that you can't let a crazy mom change the decisions you are making. If the kid was not playing because he was still impeding coaching, I get what you are trying to do. |
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Post by planck on Sept 20, 2019 11:55:07 GMT -6
No, we were working on addressing it before she made things worse. However, I kind of feel like her being crazy made him realize the issue isn't we don't want to play him. Know what I mean? Kind of helped him see the path forward.
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Post by Defcord on Sept 20, 2019 12:46:48 GMT -6
No, we were working on addressing it before she made things worse. However, I kind of feel like her being crazy made him realize the issue isn't we don't want to play him. Know what I mean? Kind of helped him see the path forward. I got you. Most of us with crazy moms have that aha moment at some point. I remember my freshmen year I was tired of my mom making me late to stuff so I started telling her times an hour before I was supposed to be there. One week we were on time and no one was there. She asked if the bus had left already. I told her that we didn’t have to be there for another hour. She cussed me out and I knew at that moment she was bat shitt crazy. Have always remembered that when dealing with parents. |
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Post by fantom on Sept 26, 2019 18:49:39 GMT -6
So for a variety of reasons, we have small junior and senior classes (~12). It has to do with district realignment, but things going forward will be fine (sophs have ~35, freshmen ~30, middle school classes similar). So we have a LOT of sophs playing up (like, 10). This means a lot of freshmen playing up.
Anyway, we try to get as many different kids to play freshmen and soph ball as we can, as long as they can contribute. There is one kid, however, who could contribute but we never pull up because he is a pain in the ass. He will try to overrule the coaches. Last week, he said "we can't blitz, they COULD run counter!" or "in middle school, we did it this way, I think we should do that instead". You get the idea.
Well, finally this week we actually need him to play LB for us. He could help us a lot. But Sunday night, his mom calls the HC and demands to know why he isn't being pulled up when other kids are. You know the song and dance. So HC puts his foot down: kid won't be pulled up this year.
Thanks, Mom.
Are you mad at her or mad at yourselves? If you need him to play pull him up. |
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Post by planck on Oct 1, 2019 6:23:36 GMT -6
Coda: kid transferred to the small Catholic school nearby. Better for everyone: he was about to be passed on the depth chart at RB, and that would have been ugly.
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Post by silkyice on Oct 1, 2019 9:23:07 GMT -6
Coda: kid transferred to the small Catholic school nearby. Better for everyone: he was about to be passed on the depth chart at RB, and that would have been ugly. Just a question about his transfer because I am curious. He isn't allowed to play at that new school this year. Correct? Does he have to sit out until one year later? Meaning does he have to miss the first five game (or whatever the number is)? Again, just curious. |
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Post by planck on Oct 1, 2019 10:23:02 GMT -6
He can't play this year, I don't know about next year.
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