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Post by justryn2 on Jun 3, 2008 7:17:27 GMT -6
Coaches,
There have been a few posts here regarding athletes missing football related activities to participate in other sports. My position has always been that, through the middle school years, athletes should play as many different sports as they feel comfortable playing. But, by the time they reach high school; and particularly by the time they reach their sophomore year, they should pick one sport and specialize.
I know that there have been some great athletes that have continued to be multi-sport athletes through high school, some even in to college and beyond (Bo Jackson, Dion Sanders). But, generally speaking, I believe that high school athletes should pick a single sport and dedicate themselves to becoming the best player they can in that sport. I am interested in getting other coaches perspectives on this.
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Post by codyoc08 on Jun 3, 2008 7:34:40 GMT -6
I think it depends on the size of the school you are at, at some smaller schools your best football players are basketball players or baseball players and vice versa.
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Post by FlexboneOne on Jun 3, 2008 7:46:01 GMT -6
The vast majority of the schools that I have coached at have always made it clear that they frowned upon coaches giving a "one-sport" ultimatum. As much as I would like to see a kid just focus on my sport, it is a rather selfish attitude, IMHO.
I think you have to remember that the majority of these kids will only play sports through high school, and that will be it. I say let them play what they want. Most kids will make all the out-of-season training they can.
The key is to have all the HS head coaches on the same page as far as lifting. I hate when a baseball coach tells me that his kids don't need to lift, or that it will hurt them. That is BS
My .02
EDIT: I do, however, have an issue with summer leagues (baseball, basketball). These are not a school-related activity, and kids that I coach are told that they are free to participate in the summer leagues, but don't plan on being in a position to crack a starting football lineup.
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Post by groundchuck on Jun 3, 2008 7:50:51 GMT -6
I am experiencing the "coach I am going to get a hoops scholy so even though I want to I can't play football" BS right now.
Kid does't realize that 6'6 kids are a dime a dozen in baseketball at the college level.
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Post by rideanddecide on Jun 3, 2008 7:58:00 GMT -6
In the education field we are responsible for providing kids as many opportunities as they want to take advantage of. If that means participating in many sports then we are ethically responsible for encouraging and providing opportunities for this participation.
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Post by superpower on Jun 3, 2008 8:20:50 GMT -6
I believe the kids should be multi-sport athletes. We feel that our best fb players are the ones who are in at least one other sport and usually are three-sport athletes. In fact, the one player who earned a fb scholarship was a very good basketball player and placed third in the state in the shot put.
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Post by justwingit on Jun 3, 2008 8:21:08 GMT -6
i agree with beard -- a high school kid should be encouraged to do as many activities as he can -- does this mean that he may miss a summer weight workout - yes, but in the long run it is better for the kid. To the coach who had a problem with the kid missing summer workouts to do baseball and basketball - yes, its frustrating but its better than him playing nintendo.
Biggest change in school sports is the amount of time we expect out of our kids in the offseason. That is what is driving kids from athletics. I know coaches will come back and say they have good numbers but for every school that has good numbers there are three that don't.
I love sports, but I don't know if I could have handled three different coaches all giving ultimatums on which summer program I HAD to be at when I was growing up.
Worked for a coach that really tore into kids when they would miss 7-on-7 or weights because of other sports. Told a high jumper who wanted to go to a track camp and would miss one day of camp to choose between the two sports. Not surprisingly, that all changed when his son became a pitcher and ended up missing lots of football offseason stuff.
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Post by coachwoodall on Jun 3, 2008 8:22:03 GMT -6
We want our football players to play other sports. I guess we are lucky, in that the other teams need our athletes.
past coaching examples:
A kid in 11th grade had never played football, was a baseball specialist IE Fall ball, HS spring ball, summer travel team. Earned a 1AA scolly in football
A kid who never was allowed to play football by his parents, played baseball, basketball, came out his senior year earned a partial scoll to a small school. Of course he was in top 5% of his class didn't hurt, but the coach was able to piece together enough money from football and academics and yearbook (was school yearbook editor) to get a free ride.
Kid this past year was basketball guy who came out in 11th & 12th, earned a JUCO ride out west this past year.
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creid
Sophomore Member
Posts: 150
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Post by creid on Jun 3, 2008 8:32:09 GMT -6
We have had 5 young men in the past two years earn football scholarship money. All of them were three sport athletes.
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Post by senatorblutarsky on Jun 3, 2008 8:34:38 GMT -6
I believe that high school athletes should pick a single sport and dedicate themselves to becoming the best player they can in that sport. I am interested in getting other coaches perspectives on this.
I disagree...almost entirely. As a football coach, when it is winter or spring, I have all my guys in weights class, they get year round workouts in... and I would much rather have them playing basketball or wrestling than sitting around... I'd much rather have them running track than sitting around (golf...OK, I have some problems with that).
I was a 3 sport athlete (20 years ago) at a big (3000 enrollment) HS, I think it helped me a lot as a football player. Heck, I was going to be a baseball player... until my junior year, when I realized I had a better chance in football (and couldn't hit a curve).
Almost every year, we get a freshman who is a "basketball first" type of guy who ends up playing football in college.
Now I do see a problem with other sports (mainly basketball and baseball) trying to leverage guys in to being full time in THEIR sport. I don't have that problem at all now at a 1A school... I did at 5A.
Really,my perception of the difference between 5A and 1A is that 5A has 1600 more skateboarders in the building... very few schools have enough athletes to specialize.
Most college coaches want to know what other sports our guys play. Our last Division I player was on the bubble of being recruited, until they came out here and saw him play basketball and saw his athleticism, intensity and aggressiveness. That game convinced them to offer him (and I think they are pleased with his progress there).
I was just thinking about my last year in 5A... we went 8-3 (2 one-point losses in the regular season, 10-6 loss in the playoffs). We had three players who started as sophomores, but opted to be full time basketball players their junior and senior years. Might they have made the difference?
In 1A...all your good athletes are generally 3 sport kids. In 5A... I still think kids should be in more than one sport. Those who say they are using the off season to lift and run for football are those who I generally have to hound in weights class, and most likely to get MIPs during the off season.
For 99.9% of the population, fifteen is too young to specialize...in anything.
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Post by airraider on Jun 3, 2008 8:43:59 GMT -6
I am fighting this war right now.. I cant start summer 7 on 7 until July because 4 of my starters are playing in the city summer league. The kicker?? My Dline coach is the basketball coach..
I guess he was unaware because he said he could make a compromise after my receiver coach brought it up..
But.. I am competitive.. and I want Woodlawn High School to be the best at EVERYTHING we do.. and I want them to win that summer league.. so NO there wont be any compromise.. those boys are going to play basketball.. once its over.. they can come back and get into the swing of things in 7 on 7..
I will just look at it in terms of that allows us to get 4 more guys some much needed work.
I do however HATE AAU. Had kids miss some Spring workouts due to this.. and they are no longer apart of our team.
I have been at schools where spring football had to be pushed back due to baseball playoffs.. and I hated that.. but I would never try to force anything from it.. that is their season.. and I want those kids playing baseball..
I will never have to worry about that here.. our baseball team routinely loses by 20+.
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Post by rideanddecide on Jun 3, 2008 9:37:15 GMT -6
golf...OK, I have some problems with that
Even with Golf, if the kid is lifting at some point during the day he is getting ( or should be getting) a lot of mental toughness training on the golf course and he is learning to compete. He is also learning the importance of mastering techniques |
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Post by oguru on Jun 3, 2008 9:45:50 GMT -6
[quote author=flexboneone board=general thread=22477
I do, however, have an issue with summer leagues (baseball, basketball). These are not a school-related activity, and kids that I coach are told that they are free to participate in the summer leagues, but don't plan on being in a position to crack a starting football lineup. [/quote]
I am not sure if you can make summer workouts mandatory,and if you can't and a kid wants to participate in summer club sports, then you can't really hold it against them.
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Post by FlexboneOne on Jun 3, 2008 10:14:13 GMT -6
[quote author=flexboneone board=general thread=22477 I do, however, have an issue with summer leagues (baseball, basketball). These are not a school-related activity, and kids that I coach are told that they are free to participate in the summer leagues, but don't plan on being in a position to crack a starting football lineup. I am not sure if you can make summer workouts mandatory,and if you can't and a kid wants to participate in summer club sports, then you can't really hold it against them. [/quote] No, I can't. But what I can do is apply a percentage to the amount of time spent in the weightroom/summer football training vs. the time NOT present, and use that as one of a few other talleys in order to determine the initial depth chart. That I can do. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Jun 3, 2008 10:27:58 GMT -6
Coaches, There have been a few posts here regarding athletes missing football related activities to participate in other sports. My position has always been that, through the middle school years, athletes should play as many different sports as they feel comfortable playing. But, by the time they reach high school; and particularly by the time they reach their sophomore year, they should pick one sport and specialize. I know that there have been some great athletes that have continued to be multi-sport athletes through high school, some even in to college and beyond (Bo Jackson, Dion Sanders). But, generally speaking, I believe that high school athletes should pick a single sport and dedicate themselves to becoming the best player they can in that sport. I am interested in getting other coaches perspectives on this. I disagree 100% A kid should do as much as he wants to do PROVIDING of course, that the kid is A) willing to do what is necessary B) he/she and family have a good line of communication with the coach c) he/she doesn't act as if he is above the team and D) he/she act in a manner that shows that he/she values their commitment to EACH team. Now, certain situations do call for decisions. A kid can't play "fall baseball" and football if they conflict. I am on the fence about baseball and track simultaneously. I have known several athletes who (at smaller schools) were able to just work a tad bit on some track events, and go compete. I don't know how I would feel at a larger school if that athlete just showed up,and would take someones spot on a relay... But bottom line, I am 100% AGAINST this so called "specialization" Offseason is where it gets tricky...because all the coaches want to be first in the pecking order. here is where I think a strong athletic director/schoolwide plan is important. |
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Post by 2leegit on Jun 3, 2008 10:28:57 GMT -6
You only live once. The kids should be able to play as many sports as possible. Many of these kids will have memories gained from these sports will be invaluable. They shouldn't be held hostage by us egotistical coaches who think football is the all to be all. If that kid who participates in other sports comes to camp in shape, and is better than that kid that has been in the weight room all summer, and shows it in practice he should play. You will only be hurting your team by holding a grudge against a kid because he was being a kid an enjoying his youth.
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Post by FlexboneOne on Jun 3, 2008 10:31:23 GMT -6
You only live once. The kids should be able to play as many sports as possible. Many of these kids will have memories gained from these sports will be invaluable. They shouldn't be held hostage by us egotistical coaches who think football is the all to be all. If that kid who participates in other sports comes to camp in shape, and is better than that kid that has been in the weight room all summer, and shows it in practice he should play. You will only be hurting your team by holding a grudge against a kid because he was being a kid an enjoying his youth. But, I think you owe the kids who gave you the time in the offseason training program the first shot. At least I do. It's some of those life lessons we preach on: responsibility and the rewards of hard work |
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Post by playfast on Jun 3, 2008 12:04:38 GMT -6
It's tricky in dealing with this situation. I'm a former 3 sport athlete and played sports everyday growing up. Two things kill me about this situation.
1. Does baseball have to play every single night and double headers on weekends so kids are playing 7+ games a week?
2. Maybe more upsetting is the athlete can not work out the day of the game because they don't want to get tired for the game?
I always played my best when playing during the day. Summer baseball is just getting out of hand. AAU basketball does not bother me as much for the fact it goes on in the spring during the school year.
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Post by briangilbert on Jun 3, 2008 14:55:51 GMT -6
Truth is I'm all for 1 sport athletes as long as the kid plays my sport. If he doesn't then I'm all about playing more then 1.
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Post by joe83843 on Jun 3, 2008 15:19:54 GMT -6
I know I'm the new guy, but I'm REALLY surprised that nobody has brought up track and field yet! I have a brother who plays football in the fall, hockey in the winter, and track in the spring. Our football coach was never really that good, but they STILL won a few games because they had 5-6 kids who were really into track. The team's speed created a lot of problems for opposing teams, and they didn't learn that speed in football.
If it were me, I'd LOVE to have every one of my skill athletes in track events in the spring and all my lineman in throwing events. It teaches them techniques they can apply to football, and gives you credibility when they hear the same advice from the track coach that they hear from you (so long as the track coach knows what he's talking about).
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Post by chadp56 on Jun 3, 2008 15:57:27 GMT -6
At a small school like mine, if kids specialize all our sports would suck! We don't have enough football first guys to field a competitive team. I think that you can get better at football by playing other sports. Competitors compete! Also, you know what they say about putting all your eggs in one basket. I remember a kid a couple years ago that specialized in baseball who would have been good at footbal, he blew out his knee in the first baseball game of his senior year! Sad story really. I'd bet that the majority of guys that sign scholarships are two or three sport athletes. All of them that I know are.
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Post by phantom on Jun 3, 2008 17:41:05 GMT -6
Coaches, There have been a few posts here regarding athletes missing football related activities to participate in other sports. My position has always been that, through the middle school years, athletes should play as many different sports as they feel comfortable playing. But, by the time they reach high school; and particularly by the time they reach their sophomore year, they should pick one sport and specialize. I know that there have been some great athletes that have continued to be multi-sport athletes through high school, some even in to college and beyond (Bo Jackson, Dion Sanders). But, generally speaking, I believe that high school athletes should pick a single sport and dedicate themselves to becoming the best player they can in that sport. I am interested in getting other coaches perspectives on this. Couldn't disagree more. I agree with those who say that you're only young once. Have all of the experiences that you can. |
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Post by bulldogoption on Jun 3, 2008 19:24:22 GMT -6
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Post by coachd5085 on Jun 3, 2008 19:43:24 GMT -6
bulldog--good point. HOWEVER, the counter point is.."Crosstown Rival High" is doing it.
It is simply an arms race. Which end do you want to be on??
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Post by k on Jun 3, 2008 22:22:21 GMT -6
I would NEVER be a part of a program that tells the kids to choose a sport. It was forced on me in high school and I hated it.
I also hate "No weight lifting if you want to play basketball" crap.
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Post by schultbear74 on Jun 3, 2008 23:36:21 GMT -6
The problem that I see as a "big picture" problem that several have pointed out is the increasing influence of AAU style Basketball, summer baseball and Sport "pimps" screwing with the control of hS coaches over their programs.
HS coaches while trying to carve out their own little fiefdoms in their schools are in fact working towards making teenagers professionals. I've watched the problem growing for 30 years and it will ruin HS sports.
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Post by bulldogoption on Jun 4, 2008 6:01:27 GMT -6
bulldog--good point. HOWEVER, the counter point is.."Crosstown Rival High" is doing it. It is simply an arms race. Which end do you want to be on?? ay, there's the rub That is why I say a state organization will have to step in because we can't police ourselves......we all want to win and stay ahead of the curve Personally, this issue may drive me from varsity sports someday...... |
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Post by revtaz on Jun 4, 2008 7:08:48 GMT -6
Gentlemen,
Part of the philosophy that a school enviroment is that kids can participate in as many activites as they want, atheltics included. What you do have to do is say if little Jimmy LBer is on the Hockey Team and has to play fall hockey at three in the morning because that's when he has to play because he thinks he is going to go beat the Russians in Lake Placid that's one thing.
Basically what I am trying to say is that a kid playing AAU is going to miss workouts, but is he going to miss practice from day one to the end? That's when I control them, not before or after. I can suggest mightily what they should be doing and they can hear it and do it or do something else.
I have learned you can be overbearing. And kids will turn that off.
I also do not want kids that are going to give me like twenty reasons why they aren't lifting or expect me to beg them to come back if they tell me they aren't going to do football. You don't want to be here, I will see you later.
Also, it's when kids do theater/drama... that really pisses me off.
Taz
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Post by justryn2 on Jun 4, 2008 7:19:36 GMT -6
Thank you all for the feedback. I'm getting the sense that, at least in principle, most coaches encourage multi-sport athletes however; in practice it seems to be about which other sports and how much time. Bulldog mentioned the amount of offseason commitment we expect from our football players. So, if an athlete wants to participate in three sports, say football, basketball and baseball; and all three of those coaches expected a total commitment during their season and a "reasonable" amount of relevant work in the offseason, when is this athlete going to have time to be a kid?
Truly, any athlete willing and able to play multiple sports during high school should be able to do so. But, with the amount of time, and the overall commitment each coach expects from their players, is it possible for a "typical" high school athlete to be competitive in multiple sports this day and age?
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Post by 2leegit on Jun 4, 2008 10:49:08 GMT -6
It is possible if coaches allow the kids to play different sports like most of us did. The offseason requirements are getting to be a little too much. If a kid is playing sports during those season, ie. football in the fall, baseball in the spring and summer, and basketball or wrestling in the winter, coaches shouldn't complain. I don't like when kids play sports that are not in season like fall baseball and summer basketball. If they miss workouts for these reasons there is no excuse.
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