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Post by utchuckd on Oct 3, 2013 7:09:46 GMT -6
So we've got the 'we don't discuss playing time, but we'll tell your player what he needs to do to get better to earn more time' policy. What if player/parent come to you in good faith and ask what can Timmy do to get better and earn more playing time and the simple answer is grow 6 inches or gain 50 pounds or run faster? What do you tell the kid who comes every day, works hard, is as good fundamentally as guys ahead of them, but is just physically smaller or slower? Is there a tactful way to simply say you're too small/slow (relative to the starter)?
Edit: We're a 7th-8th grade middle school team, no MPP rules.
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Post by jrk5150 on Oct 3, 2013 7:18:59 GMT -6
So we've got the 'we don't discuss playing time, but we'll tell your player what he needs to do to get better to earn more time' policy. What if player/parent come to you in good faith and ask what can Timmy do to get better and earn more playing time and the simple answer is grow 6 inches or gain 50 pounds or run faster? What do you tell the kid who comes every day, works hard, is as good fundamentally as guys ahead of them, but is just physically smaller or slower? Is there a tactful way to simply say you're too small/slow (relative to the starter)? Well, if a kid works hard and is fundamentally sound, we'll find a place for him (or her) to play, so that really wouldn't be much of an issue. Especially in youth ball, as that kid might just grow, and getting playing time will help him down the road. And there's nothing wrong with answering that question with "growth spurt". But again, on our team, he'd be playing enough to where it wouldn't be a huge problem. |
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Post by carrcaleb on Oct 3, 2013 10:13:13 GMT -6
I agree with jrk5150 on this one. If this young man is as fundamentally sound as you say he is then he belongs on the field. Hard work has to be rewarded appropriately in order to send the right message to your squad. I'd take a whole group of small guys that work hard over big lazy kids all day long. You might be able to use this youngster to send a message to your starters. I know you've seen it but I gotta post it....Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2013 12:25:27 GMT -6
So we've got the 'we don't discuss playing time, but we'll tell your player what he needs to do to get better to earn more time' policy. What if player/parent come to you in good faith and ask what can Timmy do to get better and earn more playing time and the simple answer is grow 6 inches or gain 50 pounds or run faster? What do you tell the kid who comes every day, works hard, is as good fundamentally as guys ahead of them, but is just physically smaller or slower? Is there a tactful way to simply say you're too small/slow (relative to the starter)? Edit: We're a 7th-8th grade middle school team, no MPP rules. with the 9/10 year old we just put those kids on the offensive line.....its a blessing if they are athletic. |
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Post by utchuckd on Oct 3, 2013 13:27:31 GMT -6
Never said the starter was lazy or didn't work hard. Maybe I phrased it wrong, what if a kid is getting every ounce of talent he can out of his abilities and still isn't good enough to contribute because he can't get the job done because he's not strong enough or fast enough etc?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2013 13:31:40 GMT -6
ut,
just be honest with him.....It is not easy, but you have to be honest. But at this point in the season that should be seen and known. The kid already knows why....just get him to tell you why.
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Post by jrk5150 on Oct 3, 2013 14:58:43 GMT -6
I don't know - I guess I just can't imagine a kid at that age who worked hard and was sound fundamentally not getting on the field. Maybe he doesn't start, but I can't believe you've got that many kids that much better that he can't get on the field.
If you're talking a complete lack of talent can't tie his shoes without falling over type kid, okay, but that isn't a kid that "is as good fundamentally as guys ahead of them". If it's "just" size and speed, I'd find a place for him.
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Post by parpumper on Oct 11, 2013 11:08:46 GMT -6
When we have this issue (which is not very often) I give it to the parents straight, as honesty is always best when dealing with kids. However we (coaches, parents, and kid) get together after practice and as a group come up with things they can do to improve. Then it is up to the kid to use those tools and show he really wants to be there and push himself (also pushes our starters if they see them getting better) to be better. I never have and never will be a believer in the a kids inability to LEARN to be a better athlete. But the key we use is having the kid recognize his short falls and then helping him correct them.
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