Lack of respect

If the kid cannot except coaching his college playing time will be very limited IMO. As fbdoc said, sit the kid down and explain to him that you are trying to help him get better everyday, every rep, etc...

Okay, coach......Here is the contrarian viewpoint (if none of these other answers feel comfortable, try this one on)

GET IN HIS FACE and keep pressuring him....if YOU are "his" coach...get in his face and really ride him.

This is alpha-male territory, IMO...because some kids are like this. Some just have to know that the person in authority of them isn't a punk and they will test your boundaries until they know you won't take no sh--.

Challenging you is his way of finding his security within the program....he is feeling your character out to see if he can get behind your decisions. If you waffle or are insecure - you cannot lead THIS type of player.

Asserting "dominance" is a way some men communicate or relate - if he is challenging your authority, he is doing it in front of his peers and setting an example of the level of respect to be associated with you. Explain your situation to the HC, then it comes time for you to stand up for yourself and put this player in his place.

I really hate the way this comes across, but we have had our share of players like this, and if you don't set the tone, "rationalization" doesn't make it better. If you challenge these guys early and let them know that "You Are Not The 'One' " ....they will be eating out of your hand later, and will RESPECT you for it.

I am ALL FOR TREATING PLAYERS FAIRLY AND EQUALLY AND NUTURING THEM....however, the coach has a role, and the player has a role to play for the squad to function (in crunch time)effectively.

Case in point.....this is what forced a cocky NY Giant team to respect a young punk coach named Bill Belichick. Lawrence Taylor has some pretty good stories of the young Belichick's long road for respect among the group of veteran players.

good luck

PS - if the HC doesn't back you (if at the worst case, you send player X home for the day) ...THEN YOU ARE ON THE WRONG STAFF ANYWAY.....

there are no daisies on the practice field, so don't tip-toe around like there are.

Just curious would you support a system where every time the player mouthes off or cusses under his breath he owes you a 40-yard sprint. I am thinking of asking my OC or HC if I can do this but wanted your guys opinion on this.

why not just tear into the kid in front of everyone?

What is he going to do from there? Challenge you or cuss you out?

If he does, he can take a walk - but you have to show him who's boss - who is the authority on that field.

If he is insubordinate, make him take a hike (to the furthest landmark on the field)....if his attitude doesn't improve on his return ---- send him again. Just don't turn it into a power-struggle....if you can build a relationship, great - if he doesn't show (realistic) respect, then you have to CONDITION him to respect you.

COACH: "Jimmy! Carry out that fake past the tackle! We need it to look the same everytime!"

PLAYER: (mumbles)"muthsuckayomomma!"


COACH: "Jimmy! You can DO that can't you? You can ensure perfection for the team....?

PLAYER: Yes, sir


if you get any other answer besides the last one, it turns into....
COACH: "Jimmy! Go to mile marker 68 and come back...."

I heard a speaker at a clinic state once "kids will do what you expect them to do". Those words have stuck with me. Make it clear to him what the expectations for performance / behavior whatever and then be consistent.

What happens if this kid gets injured in a game? With only 1 JV QB trained to even take reps in practice you could be 1 play away from disater..

that sucks, man...sorry to hear that I now understand what you're talking about

As I see it you really have two options.

1) Befriend the kid, build his confidence, establish a better relationship with him (talk with him about his assignments and roles and his future success with the team) ...pretty much just letting him know you have his back (as his position coach) and that he is not JUST a tackling dummy for the 1st defense. Maybe he just feels insecure because he can't take a lot of pride in his current position, and being corrected as the SCOUT team QB is even more embarassing and blowing it off (mumbling) is his way of deflecting the embarassment (in front of his peers)

or

2) Call him out ON THE SPOT in practice, to get him to S-T-F-U.


your call.

have him do it after practice or have him do it NOW and keep everyone later. get your practice in regardless.

A few pieces of advice. One I would rather lose players than lose control! I do not care if he is the only JV QB!! Find someone who can make it work. Explain to this young man that his attitude is probably part of the reason he is the JV QB. If he has any aspirations of moving up things need to change. Second, your head coach... I hope would not want a cancer on the team. I would hope your program would rather have good people than good players on your team. If your higher ups do not have your back then you need to rethink your position. You are a young coach and no matter what your experience or background is... they should be there to mentor and help you. Everyone has troubles! My last piece of advice is man up and let him know who is charge. If he cannot except that then too bad... it is your show!!!!Refer back to lose players and not control!!! Good luck! Be firm, but fair!

Thanks for the advice coaches I think I have my plan of attack set. I will talk to the OC and HC and make sure it is Ok if I have him run after practice if he stills gives me lip and if this does not work I will request to put someone else in as JV QB. If this still does not work then we may have to just get rid of the kid.

If a kid ever treated me like that on the football field he would be off the field for that day no doubt. Its simple "get out go take your stuff off your done today" esp some 14-15 yeard old JV kid. No way would that fly I am def not of the lets sit down and talk this out school of thought. I am the coach you are the player I am in charge you are not. End of discussion. You dont like it goodbye. I understand that he is the only kid able to run the scout team in your opinion we have been is situations where u just have to throw a kid in there and see what he can do. If there is trouble with the snap then just have the qb hold the ball on the centers back and simulate a snap. But there is no way in h**l I would take that from a player. If your HC or OC dont agree with you then I would look for a new place to coach.

I know I already offered my 2 cents earlier about talking to the kid and explaining that you are only there to help him. It was interesting to see the number of responces follow that said to rip him or kick him out of practice for the day. I can tell you, I've been there-done that many times! It's still my natural reaction any time I see or hear that type of disrespect for one of my assistants (or me!). Having said that, I still feel that unless it's a blatant, in your face comment in front of the team, the better course of action is to handle it quietly. If the kid is still a jerk, then HELL YES - I'm going to rip him a new one! But over the years I've found I usually get more mileage out of quietly saying "What the heck are you doing?" instead of going off at the first sign.

fbdoc I agree that the first thing to do is to sit down with the kid and tell him I am only thier to help him. I have done this and our OC is going to do it today. I am just trying to figuer out what to do if the talk does not get him to change his ways.