|
Post by coachdbs on Dec 4, 2016 14:50:28 GMT -6
I have a senior this year who played a lot less then he and his parents would have liked (Dad called me to complain early in season). Had two juniors who were better. He is a great kid and I want him finish his football career on a positive note. As a position coach, we are only required to talk about our seniors. How would you approach talking about this kind of kid at banquet? I want to be very careful because I would like to avoid any kind of confrontation with Dad post banquet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
Post by CoachJohnsonMN on Dec 4, 2016 15:36:46 GMT -6
Did he make major contributions to special teams? Practice squad? Did he display core program qualities (resiliency, positive teammate, honesty, etc). I'd focus on contributions no matter how small (small as viewed by a biased parent) & traits your program hopes to instill.
It may not make dad happy but you're in this business for the kids. It's his time & you can use this to speak directly to him.
|
|
|
Post by freezeoption on Dec 4, 2016 17:05:01 GMT -6
this is one reason I will hardly talk about an individual, when we have a great season talk about the team, when we have a bad season talk about the team, team is it, I cover team accomplishments, brief summary of season, all conf, all district, all state, just basically announce what the individual got, hand out letters and certificates, hand out senior plaques, that's it
|
|
|
Post by carookie on Dec 4, 2016 21:16:39 GMT -6
I am sure he is more than just the stats he put forth on Friday night, how was he as a person? Put a positive spin on that. Or focus on one specific thing he did and blow it up out of proportion. Outside of that, maybe we should start a thread "Generic things to say about kids during a banquet"
Example:
"He Really enjoys contact and always looked for someone to hit" "Was always there when we needed him" "This kid was always looking to jump in and contribute any way he could." "Coaches know how valuable his work in practice was to the team, he contributed in ways others don't get to see" "Respected by his teammates...a real worker" "Someone whose grown a lot during his time here." "I look forward to all the things he will accomplish in the future"
|
|
|
Post by groundchuck on Dec 5, 2016 4:30:12 GMT -6
Focus on his contributions in everything. Just talk about him being a great young man.
|
|
center
Junior Member
Posts: 486
|
Post by center on Dec 5, 2016 9:13:54 GMT -6
I agree with the above points. I have noticed that some of the hard feelings go away after the season and they have had some time to cool down and the kid has moved on to something else.
In the heat of the battle on a Friday night a parent doesn't see their kid play and they get upset. Once they get a way from it for a while they cool off.
Unless they are totally nuts...
|
|
|
Post by coachcb on Dec 5, 2016 9:55:07 GMT -6
There's plenty of positive things you can say about the kid. His work ethic, how he contributed to the team's success, etc..etc.. Dad will look like a serious a-- if he makes a scene at an end-of-the-year banquet so I wouldn't worry about it.
|
|
CoachSP
Sophomore Member
Posts: 212
|
Post by CoachSP on Dec 5, 2016 10:01:45 GMT -6
I had a player like this last year. Our head coach was a huge advocate of pumping up seniors, regardless of playing time.
I talked about the few times he had to step in and give us a few plays. Made that seem like a huge deal. This particular kid was going to college (not to play ball); he and I discussed his future plans, so I talked about that as well.
I find it sheds light on the person and what he can accomplish next. Let's face it, football is over for the majority of kids after high school whether the stats and accolades were plentiful or non existent. Pump up the kid, and make him feel good. Dad's opinion doesn't matter if you reached the kid.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2016 15:38:58 GMT -6
I am sure he is more than just the stats he put forth on Friday night, how was he as a person? Put a positive spin on that. Or focus on one specific thing he did and blow it up out of proportion. Outside of that, maybe we should start a thread "Generic things to say about kids during a banquet" Example: "He Really enjoys contact and always looked for someone to hit" "Was always there when we needed him" "This kid was always looking to jump in and contribute any way he could." "Coaches know how valuable his work in practice was to the team, he contributed in ways others don't get to see" "Respected by his teammates...a real worker" "Someone whose grown a lot during his time here." "I look forward to all the things he will accomplish in the future" These are helpful, but what about when you have a kid that is an absolute dung pile as a teammate? We talk about every JV player at the banquet. We had a couple kids that routinely ditched practice (some were literally NOT there more than they were there), had a pisspoor attitude towards coaches & teammates all year and never played a down in a game (because of all of the above). Also had a couple benchwarmers that decided they were done at year-end and didn't come to the last 2 weeks of practice or the games. Something that's especially maddening is they are athletic and could have been an asset to the team. What do you say about kids like this? I would have booted these kids from the team but the HC wanted to keep them.
|
|
|
Post by tothehouse on Dec 6, 2016 15:43:04 GMT -6
bone...the guys who missed practice at the end of the year...should not be at the banquet. If you're letting them be there...that's on you or the HC. Same with the practice ditchers.
You're going to "celebrate" the season with a bunch of guys who don't care? Hell...I'd only talk about the kids that were there 100% of the time, eat a piece of cake, and call it good.
|
|
|
Post by somecoach on Dec 6, 2016 16:20:53 GMT -6
Generic PR like a politician.
Something along the lines of
"The most important thing we teach the kids is commitment and little johnny is one of those fine young men who would show up everyday to practice ready to play... good luck on your future endevours"
|
|
|
Post by dytmook on Dec 6, 2016 16:30:24 GMT -6
Talk about his character as a competitor he wanted to be on the field and worked every day to get as many snaps as possible. We have had kids like that who haven't played much which can be disappointing and we address this. Then we usually focus on how this will make them more successful as they took adversity and made the best of it. Didn't quit when things didn't go there way and that's a great teammate. It will also lead to good things in life.
|
|
|
Post by carookie on Dec 6, 2016 16:57:52 GMT -6
I am sure he is more than just the stats he put forth on Friday night, how was he as a person? Put a positive spin on that. Or focus on one specific thing he did and blow it up out of proportion. Outside of that, maybe we should start a thread "Generic things to say about kids during a banquet" Example: "He Really enjoys contact and always looked for someone to hit" "Was always there when we needed him" "This kid was always looking to jump in and contribute any way he could." "Coaches know how valuable his work in practice was to the team, he contributed in ways others don't get to see" "Respected by his teammates...a real worker" "Someone whose grown a lot during his time here." "I look forward to all the things he will accomplish in the future" These are helpful, but what about when you have a kid that is an absolute dung pile as a teammate? We talk about every JV player at the banquet. We had a couple kids that routinely ditched practice (some were literally NOT there more than they were there), had a pisspoor attitude towards coaches & teammates all year and never played a down in a game (because of all of the above). Also had a couple benchwarmers that decided they were done at year-end and didn't come to the last 2 weeks of practice or the games. Something that's especially maddening is they are athletic and could have been an asset to the team. What do you say about kids like this? I would have booted these kids from the team but the HC wanted to keep them. Honestly, BS and spin. Is he a class clown type, then "he's the type of kid who helps keep the team light and helps us from getting too down." Is he the type of kid who is just grumpy and doesn't want to listen to you, then "he's a stone faced tough kid who you wouldn't want to cross." Take a positive stance on whatever his attitude is. Funny story, my first year of HS coaching was JV assistant at a rough school that was trying to turn things around, but not putting a lot of work into the JV team. The JV HC was a guy from the community who had no clue of what he was doing and pretty much ruined the kids for that season (you wouldnt believe our practices). It was he, I and the school security guard (sometimes) for the 50 kids we had. Well come the end of the season we have an on campus banquet combined with the varsity, and guess what...I'm the only JV coach to show (HC had an 'emergency' come up and missed). So there I was with an additional 30+ kids to talk about on the spot. Luckily, I can BS my way through stuff when it comes to speaking, and nailed it. A week later I was offered the JV HC spot.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2016 17:45:27 GMT -6
One kid showed up in early June and showed promise, we actually had plans for him. Then he disappeared until two weeks after equipment distribution day, didn't return phone calls all summer, nothing. When I said, "Hey buddy, where have you been?" (I was legit concerned) he actually said, "I wasn't sure I wanted to play, plus I really like my summers for relaxing but I'm here now, so don't give me a hard time about it." Then tells me he's going to be the Z back, safety and kicker because he's a soccer player and the fastest/most athletic kid on the team (which, not in his dreams). When he didn't get a starting spot the real attitude started, he stopped showing up to practice unless the spirit moved him and acted like a jackass when he was there. Several times other coaches and I tried to counsel him, told him we wanted to use him but we couldn't play him because he didn't know what to do on either side of the ball. He started showing up occasionally M-W, usually at walkthrough and then always on game day. At a game late in the season we're whooping an opponent and everybody that showed up to all the practices that week played (I pulled starters after the 1st quarter), even if they had no idea what they were doing. This kid started ranting that he wanted to play, his mom actually came to the sidelines and asked to speak to me. I politely told her to beat it but not before she told me I better play the kid. The following week the AD, HC and I got hate emails from her and the dad for not playing the kid. Told him again, show up to practice, work hard and you will play. Same effort through the end of the season. Dad cornered me after the final game and was acting like a pr!ck, it was all I could do to not ragdoll him on the spot. When I asked the team for $5 from each player so we could get the team mom a gift (woman was incredible) I got another hate-filled email telling me to jam it. If it were up to me the kid would have been gone but the HC said to keep him, it's his program so I did. Now I have to say something nice about the kid and I literally can't think of anything positive he did this year.
By the way, I've got a kid that is an absolutely HORRENDOUS football player, totally unathletic but I could talk about him for hours because he is a great kid with a great work ethic, I'm actually looking forward to talking about him.
|
|
|
Post by dytmook on Dec 6, 2016 18:35:39 GMT -6
One kid showed up in early June and showed promise, we actually had plans for him. Then he disappeared until two weeks after equipment distribution day, didn't return phone calls all summer, nothing. When I said, "Hey buddy, where have you been?" (I was legit concerned) he actually said, "I wasn't sure I wanted to play, plus I really like my summers for relaxing but I'm here now, so don't give me a hard time about it." Then tells me he's going to be the Z back, safety and kicker because he's a soccer player and the fastest/most athletic kid on the team (which, not in his dreams). When he didn't get a starting spot the real attitude started, he stopped showing up to practice unless the spirit moved him and acted like a jackass when he was there. Several times other coaches and I tried to counsel him, told him we wanted to use him but we couldn't play him because he didn't know what to do on either side of the ball. He started showing up occasionally M-W, usually at walkthrough and then always on game day. At a game late in the season we're whooping an opponent and everybody that showed up to all the practices that week played (I pulled starters after the 1st quarter), even if they had no idea what they were doing. This kid started ranting that he wanted to play, his mom actually came to the sidelines and asked to speak to me. I politely told her to beat it but not before she told me I better play the kid. The following week the AD, HC and I got hate emails from her and the dad for not playing the kid. Told him again, show up to practice, work hard and you will play. Same effort through the end of the season. Dad cornered me after the final game and was acting like a pr!ck, it was all I could do to not ragdoll him on the spot. When I asked the team for $5 from each player so we could get the team mom a gift (woman was incredible) I got another hate-filled email telling me to jam it. If it were up to me the kid would have been gone but the HC said to keep him, it's his program so I did. Now I have to say something nice about the kid and I literally can't think of anything positive he did this year. By the way, I've got a kid that is an absolutely HORRENDOUS football player, totally unathletic but I could talk about him for hours because he is a great kid with a great work ethic, I'm actually looking forward to talking about him. BS it that he kept practice light and would stop you from taking things too serious during practice. Helped keep you loose and he was very ambitious about what he wanted to do.
|
|
|
Post by carookie on Dec 6, 2016 22:21:15 GMT -6
One kid showed up in early June and showed promise, we actually had plans for him. Then he disappeared until two weeks after equipment distribution day, didn't return phone calls all summer, nothing. When I said, "Hey buddy, where have you been?" (I was legit concerned) he actually said, "I wasn't sure I wanted to play, plus I really like my summers for relaxing but I'm here now, so don't give me a hard time about it." Then tells me he's going to be the Z back, safety and kicker because he's a soccer player and the fastest/most athletic kid on the team (which, not in his dreams). When he didn't get a starting spot the real attitude started, he stopped showing up to practice unless the spirit moved him and acted like a jackass when he was there. Several times other coaches and I tried to counsel him, told him we wanted to use him but we couldn't play him because he didn't know what to do on either side of the ball. He started showing up occasionally M-W, usually at walkthrough and then always on game day. At a game late in the season we're whooping an opponent and everybody that showed up to all the practices that week played (I pulled starters after the 1st quarter), even if they had no idea what they were doing. This kid started ranting that he wanted to play, his mom actually came to the sidelines and asked to speak to me. I politely told her to beat it but not before she told me I better play the kid. The following week the AD, HC and I got hate emails from her and the dad for not playing the kid. Told him again, show up to practice, work hard and you will play. Same effort through the end of the season. Dad cornered me after the final game and was acting like a pr!ck, it was all I could do to not ragdoll him on the spot. When I asked the team for $5 from each player so we could get the team mom a gift (woman was incredible) I got another hate-filled email telling me to jam it. If it were up to me the kid would have been gone but the HC said to keep him, it's his program so I did. Now I have to say something nice about the kid and I literally can't think of anything positive he did this year. By the way, I've got a kid that is an absolutely HORRENDOUS football player, totally unathletic but I could talk about him for hours because he is a great kid with a great work ethic, I'm actually looking forward to talking about him. "This next young man is a very confident athlete who has the capability to help our program in a variety of ways. He's the type of kid who was always looking to contribute whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams; and I know that with a summer of hard work he can blossom into the type of player who can really contribute on the next level for years to come.....Johnny Screwaround"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2016 22:26:02 GMT -6
One kid showed up in early June and showed promise, we actually had plans for him. Then he disappeared until two weeks after equipment distribution day, didn't return phone calls all summer, nothing. When I said, "Hey buddy, where have you been?" (I was legit concerned) he actually said, "I wasn't sure I wanted to play, plus I really like my summers for relaxing but I'm here now, so don't give me a hard time about it." Then tells me he's going to be the Z back, safety and kicker because he's a soccer player and the fastest/most athletic kid on the team (which, not in his dreams). When he didn't get a starting spot the real attitude started, he stopped showing up to practice unless the spirit moved him and acted like a jackass when he was there. Several times other coaches and I tried to counsel him, told him we wanted to use him but we couldn't play him because he didn't know what to do on either side of the ball. He started showing up occasionally M-W, usually at walkthrough and then always on game day. At a game late in the season we're whooping an opponent and everybody that showed up to all the practices that week played (I pulled starters after the 1st quarter), even if they had no idea what they were doing. This kid started ranting that he wanted to play, his mom actually came to the sidelines and asked to speak to me. I politely told her to beat it but not before she told me I better play the kid. The following week the AD, HC and I got hate emails from her and the dad for not playing the kid. Told him again, show up to practice, work hard and you will play. Same effort through the end of the season. Dad cornered me after the final game and was acting like a pr!ck, it was all I could do to not ragdoll him on the spot. When I asked the team for $5 from each player so we could get the team mom a gift (woman was incredible) I got another hate-filled email telling me to jam it. If it were up to me the kid would have been gone but the HC said to keep him, it's his program so I did. Now I have to say something nice about the kid and I literally can't think of anything positive he did this year. By the way, I've got a kid that is an absolutely HORRENDOUS football player, totally unathletic but I could talk about him for hours because he is a great kid with a great work ethic, I'm actually looking forward to talking about him. "This next young man is a very confident athlete who has the capability to help our program in a variety of ways. He's the type of kid who was always looking to contribute whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams; and I know that with a summer of hard work he can blossom into the type of player who can really contribute on the next level for years to come.....Johnny Screwaround" Extra points for Johnny Screwaround. Carookie for president!
|
|
|
Post by **** on Dec 7, 2016 8:28:00 GMT -6
One kid showed up in early June and showed promise, we actually had plans for him. Then he disappeared until two weeks after equipment distribution day, didn't return phone calls all summer, nothing. When I said, "Hey buddy, where have you been?" (I was legit concerned) he actually said, "I wasn't sure I wanted to play, plus I really like my summers for relaxing but I'm here now, so don't give me a hard time about it." Then tells me he's going to be the Z back, safety and kicker because he's a soccer player and the fastest/most athletic kid on the team (which, not in his dreams). When he didn't get a starting spot the real attitude started, he stopped showing up to practice unless the spirit moved him and acted like a jackass when he was there. Several times other coaches and I tried to counsel him, told him we wanted to use him but we couldn't play him because he didn't know what to do on either side of the ball. He started showing up occasionally M-W, usually at walkthrough and then always on game day. At a game late in the season we're whooping an opponent and everybody that showed up to all the practices that week played (I pulled starters after the 1st quarter), even if they had no idea what they were doing. This kid started ranting that he wanted to play, his mom actually came to the sidelines and asked to speak to me. I politely told her to beat it but not before she told me I better play the kid. The following week the AD, HC and I got hate emails from her and the dad for not playing the kid. Told him again, show up to practice, work hard and you will play. Same effort through the end of the season. Dad cornered me after the final game and was acting like a pr!ck, it was all I could do to not ragdoll him on the spot. When I asked the team for $5 from each player so we could get the team mom a gift (woman was incredible) I got another hate-filled email telling me to jam it. If it were up to me the kid would have been gone but the HC said to keep him, it's his program so I did. Now I have to say something nice about the kid and I literally can't think of anything positive he did this year. By the way, I've got a kid that is an absolutely HORRENDOUS football player, totally unathletic but I could talk about him for hours because he is a great kid with a great work ethic, I'm actually looking forward to talking about him. "Kid had a chitty attitude and was a waste of phukin space... next"
|
|
|
Post by bleefb on Jan 3, 2017 14:37:42 GMT -6
We got around this by putting together a slide show of each player with sappy music and three or four pictures of each kid. We never talked at all. We started doing that because our HC at the time was very long-winded and it took over an hour to introduce each kid. Was very well received and never got any complaints. Also avoided saying the same thing fifty times.
|
|
bullsvp
Sophomore Member
Posts: 190
|
Post by bullsvp on Jan 3, 2017 19:48:32 GMT -6
We had 19 seniors this year, several were great players including two that made all state teams, but some that barely saw the field. Our tradition, we give out lots of awards, different coaches give out awards and talk a little about each recipient. Then the head coach talks about each senior and calls them up, they get a senior gift from school of large collage poster individualized for each senior, a gift bag from booster club, etc. In the past with previous and current head coaches they would talk a few minutes about each kid and some were easy to talk about some harder, the guys that never played speech sound the same and hard to make it not be condescending. So this year our head coach mixed it up and while he did talk about each kid he changed it up and picked something that he would remember or miss about that kid, he intended it to be a roast but it ended up being complimentary for each and every guy. My favorite was for an undersized corner that for a few years mostly played special teams and backup but started this year and at times had trouble with big physical receivers but held his own, still shut down the edge, and got a few picks, made some key plays, and although he talked a lot of trash was a decent guy. He got the Stephen A Smith award, fittingly. He has an opinion on everything and whenever we have free time he loves to debate with people about almost anything. It was well received, took about the same amount of time as before but it no longer sounded like he had favorites and didn't single out stars nor role players.
|
|
|
Post by newhope on Jan 13, 2017 11:25:49 GMT -6
I am sure he is more than just the stats he put forth on Friday night, how was he as a person? Put a positive spin on that. Or focus on one specific thing he did and blow it up out of proportion. Outside of that, maybe we should start a thread "Generic things to say about kids during a banquet" Example: "He Really enjoys contact and always looked for someone to hit" "Was always there when we needed him" "This kid was always looking to jump in and contribute any way he could." "Coaches know how valuable his work in practice was to the team, he contributed in ways others don't get to see" "Respected by his teammates...a real worker" "Someone whose grown a lot during his time here." "I look forward to all the things he will accomplish in the future" These are helpful, but what about when you have a kid that is an absolute dung pile as a teammate? We talk about every JV player at the banquet. We had a couple kids that routinely ditched practice (some were literally NOT there more than they were there), had a pisspoor attitude towards coaches & teammates all year and never played a down in a game (because of all of the above). Also had a couple benchwarmers that decided they were done at year-end and didn't come to the last 2 weeks of practice or the games. Something that's especially maddening is they are athletic and could have been an asset to the team. What do you say about kids like this? I would have booted these kids from the team but the HC wanted to keep them. You talk about every kid? How long are you there? Banquets last too long as it is without having to make up stuff about kids who don't do what they are supposed to do. What you have stated here is a great reason NOT to do this anymore. I'm afraid if I HAD to do it, I'd say something along the lines of I hoped he would take the right approach next season so he could improve and become a contributor. That's the best I could do--anything else would be condoning what they're doing (although I'm not sure why if they were as bad attitude and practice attendance wise as you say that they would still be on the team)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2017 11:47:27 GMT -6
The HC wants us to talk about every kid so I do.
Fortunately the kids that are true steaming piles didn't show up at the banquet so I wasn't put in a position where I had to manufacture something. For the goofballs I said, "This young man was an asset on our scout team, got some playing time on special teams and will be a good football player if he dedicates himself."
|
|
|
Post by silkyice on Jan 13, 2017 11:51:14 GMT -6
Always say something nice about every single kid. It doesn't even have to be about football at all.
|
|
|
Post by mnike23 on Jan 13, 2017 12:37:35 GMT -6
steve was always dressed so nice on friday. his jersey tucked in, pants always pressed, hair had just enough gel in it. lol johnny played a great wedge buster. stats dont tell a lie. wait, he didnt, never mind. but kick off team wouldnt be very good without him!! (coach we put the ball inthe endzone, johnny never made a play, shhhhhhh)
always a positive with every kid. i love the videos the kids make when they know they are not very good and on the sidelines. lol those are awesome and keep it in perspective for most of the team.
|
|