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Post by coachguy83 on Aug 23, 2009 18:43:27 GMT -6
I am coaching a 7th and 8th grade team this fall and I have a really good team. We won our first game 38-7 and our second 42-26. Our league has a rule stating that you must pull your starting recievers and backfield if you have reached running clock. In Illinois running clock happens if you are up by 24 in the first half or 40 in the second half. We never reached those conditions in the game but the director of our team told me I had to pull my starters when we were up by 30. I did as he asked and today I found out that my defensive coordinator and I have to go before the team board tomorrow before practice because of complaints. Every player on my team got way more than the mimimum plays and I don't understand what the complaints are about. All I know is that I have to take my playbook and ball bag to the meeting and I'm afraid that they are going to try and discipline me for nothing. If there is some kind of discipline how would you react?
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 23, 2009 19:28:43 GMT -6
I'm not sure there is a whole lot you can do if they decide to discipline you. It's a little ridiculous if they are disciplining you and they did not spell out their policies and expectations (to the extent that they are more restrictive than the standard rules in your area) to you before the season started. That would be my first question in your meeting - where is this rule/policy spelled out and if you were not made aware of it, it's not reasonable to hold you to it.
If, however, they did tell you or if it is in your league's rule book and you were given a copy and you either weren't paying attention or didn't bother to read it - well, then, shame on you - you deserve to get disciplined.
BTW, I'm not debating whether or not the rule is reasonable or just or whatever, and neither should you. It doesn't matter if it's a good rule or not - all that matters is that it is a rule. It is what it is and once you are made aware of it, you should be held accountable for following it.
Either way, though, whether it's your mistake or they are being ridiculous, I don't see that you have a lot of options other than to quit in protest, and I hope you are not considering that as a serious option - that would not send a very positive message to your players.
Good luck.
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Post by utchuckd on Aug 23, 2009 19:42:27 GMT -6
Oh wow. Winning like that and getting complaints that warrant a meeting? Good luck man!
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Post by los on Aug 23, 2009 21:03:13 GMT -6
I know how I'd feel.....and they wouldn't want me holding a bag of footballs,at their meeting  |
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Post by eickst on Aug 23, 2009 23:09:03 GMT -6
Bring my playbook? It's in my head you dolts, good luck getting me to put it down on paper for you.....it might look like a xerox copy of my bare butt.
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Post by mcgann19 on Aug 24, 2009 11:43:38 GMT -6
Wow that doesn't sound too good. . . sounds an awefull lot like political red tape and an excuse to me!
Stay level headed because in the end you cant change what is out of your hands! Have class, take the highroad, and move forward in a positive manner.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Post by davecisar on Aug 24, 2009 12:10:26 GMT -6
16 Points isnt a huge margin and 31 is big, but not outrageous
It may have to do with how you responded to the initial suggestion that you pull everyone when up by 30
It may even be more subtle than that, things like blitzing late in a game up by 31 or tossing a long ball or running a reverse late, when up by 30 or calling time with 30 seconds left when up by 16 etc
But all the parameters should be laid out to you prior to the season as well as a warning if you were approaching the edge of standards. IMHO that's the fair thing to do. It's about set expectations.
Doesnt sound good
If you are able to respond, do not be defensive, only of the fact you were not given parameters beyond the leaugue rules if that is the case
Dont argue the parameters, only the fact they werent communicated if that's the case.
I have dismissed entire coaching staffs 2 days before their first game and midseason etc, it happens, BUT everyone here signs a very detailed contract and they attend a mandatory clinic where we spell everything out. Now we dont let anyone HC who has not been a DC or OC under me etc.
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Post by coachguy83 on Aug 24, 2009 13:25:56 GMT -6
I only threw one pass the second half and that was the first play. I had put the play in, but had never ran it live, so we ran it. For the most part I ran nothing but wedge and 16 power the second half. I didn't argue when they told me to pull my starters, I pulled them. They were already off of the defense and they only played a little bit of special teams. Mainly it was to try and get one of my kids that had not scored a chance to score. I gave pretty much all my non-tapers a chance to touch the ball ( only one or two didn't get a carry or reception. My second team defense played almost the entire half so every player was given more than enough time. I don't feel that we are running up the score or taking advantage of weak teams. I am just giving my guys a chance to play their game, which they play pretty well. In the first game we won by 31, but my second team scored 14 of those points. I am going to handle the meeting the same way I try to coach, with dignity and professionalism.
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 24, 2009 13:42:09 GMT -6
I only threw one pass the second half and that was the first play. I had put the play in, but had never ran it live, so we ran it. For the most part I ran nothing but wedge and 16 power the second half. I didn't argue when they told me to pull my starters, I pulled them. They were already off of the defense and they only played a little bit of special teams. Mainly it was to try and get one of my kids that had not scored a chance to score. I gave pretty much all my non-tapers a chance to touch the ball ( only one or two didn't get a carry or reception. My second team defense played almost the entire half so every player was given more than enough time. I don't feel that we are running up the score or taking advantage of weak teams. I am just giving my guys a chance to play their game, which they play pretty well. In the first game we won by 31, but my second team scored 14 of those points. I am going to handle the meeting the same way I try to coach, with dignity and professionalism. Thanks for the additional info - it sounds like you've done everything right. The only possible variable would be if they gave you a specific policy to follow and you didn't, but even then, a first offense should only get you a warning - and it doesn't sound like that was the case anyway. I can't imagine why they asked you to bring your playbook and ball bag - the only reason I can think of is that they want to intimidate you, which is really just silly. Sounds like you'll handle this just fine - keep doing what you're doing. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2009 14:41:52 GMT -6
Dont bring your playbook, it's not theirs to see...I know of one person that made that mistake.....never let that out of your hands, trust me
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2009 14:43:19 GMT -6
I know how I'd feel.....and they wouldn't want me holding a bag of footballs,at their meeting they're just lucky you don't coach Baseball...=  |
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Post by utchuckd on Aug 24, 2009 21:40:23 GMT -6
How'd the meeting go? If you need bail we'll pass the hat. ;D   |
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Post by coachguy83 on Aug 25, 2009 11:18:57 GMT -6
It was stupid. I've basicly been told to pull my starters with a 25 point lead.
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Post by eickst on Aug 25, 2009 11:42:52 GMT -6
It was stupid. I've basicly been told to pull my starters with a 25 point lead. And I would have told them to find a new head coach and good luck having a 25 point lead ever again. |
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Post by bobgoodman on Aug 25, 2009 12:22:31 GMT -6
It was stupid. I've basicly been told to pull my starters with a 25 point lead. If that's all it was, that doesn't read as bad to me. The scrubs will appreciate the extra playing time. |
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 25, 2009 12:29:18 GMT -6
Let me get this straight - the HS rule is 24 pts in the first half or 40 in the second half; your staff thought your league rule was 30 pts; and the actual rule is 25 pts? And they made you and your defensive coach appear before the board with your playbook and ball bag? Wow - it sounds like you have some board members that are on a power trip. This should have been handled in a 2 minute conversation immediately after the game that should have gone something like this:
Board Member: Coach, it looked like there was some confusion about our mercy rule - you really need to pull your starters any time you have a 25+ pt lead.
You: Really, my team director told me it was 30+ pts.
BM: No, it's 25.
You: Okay, where does it say that? What rule is it?
BM: It's rule XX.YY - it's right here in our league rule book (and he shows you the rule).
You: Okay, sorry about that - we'll get it right next time.
BM: Thanks, coach.
You: No problem.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2009 13:14:33 GMT -6
It was stupid. I've basicly been told to pull my starters with a 25 point lead. Why the hell did they want you to bring your playbook? |
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Post by coachguy83 on Aug 25, 2009 13:18:54 GMT -6
The rule is 24 and 40. Our director wants we to pull them at 25. No idea about the playbook and ball bag.
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Post by utchuckd on Aug 25, 2009 13:46:51 GMT -6
No idea about the playbook and ball bag. Prolly so they could ask you to turn 'em in if you got pissy. The ball bag at least, idk about the playbook. |
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Post by mcgann19 on Aug 25, 2009 14:01:50 GMT -6
coachguy83 do you feel the love or what? I hope you thanked them for their time Coach!?!?!
Glad it was just a slap on the hand.
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spurred
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Post by spurred on Aug 28, 2009 5:45:49 GMT -6
You know, there are times when I don't agree with the mercy rule....I have been on both sides too. i think that these kids play their hearts out for the first half of the game they should be rewarded. Then again, sometimes the other team just may not have the physical talent, and then I think it's okay to make subs. We have a 24 pt rule here, and I think it should be a little higher myself
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Post by touchdownmaker on Aug 28, 2009 6:57:09 GMT -6
Dont sweat it. two types of coaches, those that have been fired, those that will be. always a reason and you just do it your way.
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