Youth Football Question (American Style that is, and not Soccer)

1. 85

   Stevennix2001posted 11 years ago

   Okay, here's another forum category I noticed that's been severely under used, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  Here's a great question for you folks out there.  If you were a Youth Football coach of a pee wee team, and you had a winning record.  Hell, lets just say you're undefeated thus far in the season going into the playoffs.  However, you have a bunch of parents screaming in your ear all the time telling you to put their child in the game.  Let's just say for the sake of argument their children....well stink, and can't really play, but you recruited them anyway. 
   
   What would you tell the screaming parents?
   
   Would you a) put their children into the game as they asked because you want to try to please everyone
   
   b) tell those parents to go to hell
   
   c) other
   
   If you say other, than you have to post exactly what you would do and/or say to them.  Anyways, I hope you guys have fun posting here. 

   replyreport
2. 68

   mrpopoposted 11 years ago

   I'd play the kids during the season if we were with a good enough record, but during the playoffs I'd limit their playtime. We have to put the players that make the team the most competitive, and I think parents should at least recognize that. I still think every kid should get to play though, even if some play more minutes than others.

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer, as I didn't even think about that possibility.  Thanks Mr. Popo, as I think you just came up with the perfect solution to this dilemma.

      replyreport
3. 0

   Emile Rposted 11 years ago

   I would put the kids in, whether all parents agreed or not. It's a team sport. We are trying to teach the kids team work. This is more about teaching kids to work together than winning pennants. If coaches are so competitive that winning is all that matters they probably shouldn't be in peewee sports.
   
   Sorry. I'm not overly competitive.

   replyreport
   1. 85

      Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's fine. You don't have to apologize for anything. I think you make a valid point.  Besides, I think most pee wee coaches are volunteers anyway, so it should be about encouraging teamwork and helping the kids have fun out there playing a sport they love.  Besides, it's not like the pros where the coach has to worry about winning all the time, or else his job will be on the line.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Emile Rposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Yes. And I have seen some peewee coaches red faced and badgering children for, basically, being kids. It's a game. We're supposed to be teaching them a love of sports, not winning whatever the cost, like you said. Plus, parents take it too seriously, in my opinion.
         
         I've read studies where orthopedic doctors worry about the damage being done to the children by these sports; pushing the children beyond the limits their bodies are prepared for at that stage in their development.

         replyreport
         1. 85

            Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I agree. I think most people tend to forget that sports these days is supposed to be fun, and a form of escapism if you will; especially when you're a child.

            replyreport
4. 59

   dutchman1951posted 11 years ago

   Parents need to realize there is a difference between sport for fun, gatherings where kids play organised for fun, like a YMCA Field day in football or soccer. T-Ball etc... And...League Sports. Fun groups are not competition groups.
   
   League's Like Pop Warner Football. Just Because a child shows up does not gaurantee he is conditioned enough to be a starter.
   Many factors determine that. The Childs condition, stamina, strength, development; all personal matters to the individual child. And each have to be considerd to gaurantee that Child success on that field.Those are Competitive Leagues, not fun outings.
   
   If I could play them all and in every instance where I couild and not hurt the Team or that Child I would, but when in Plyoff competition against tough teams who are also winners, the best conditioned, and skilled would play first. If for nothing else than thier own protection as well as performance, and satisfacxtion that they are good players win or loose.
   
   Sport is not fantisy, or escapism. It is Competition in real time. And if a child is not that co-ordinated, able to use his body correctly, and low in condition, I can assure you well from playing, the only ones having a good time are his overbearing fantising parents, screaming on the side-lines.
   
   Sometimes Being in the Band, a child learns a lot more from the experience..?  Not to mention less bone and joint problems as he or she gets older. That is if the Parents will allow the child freedom to grow and learn and not dictate what they think he should be. Parents have a real responsibility when a Child brings home the Permission Letter to Play. That moment is not a give it here, I'll sign it kind of moment. It requires the Parent to really think about the total being of that Child before they sign it.
   
   Coompetitive sport is not a one size fits all thing, just because your child shows up, Does not mean that child has earned or shoould earn the Trophy.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      dutchman1951posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      To clarify this also: if a Child is say 60 lbs, slender and a softer mind set, I mean this as in a child who gets a scrape or a bruse while playing and tends to not overcome it, slows way down or shuts down mentaly, does not wish to play any more, and the scrape or bruse is minor.
      
      If a Child is small in physical stature rt un-co-ordinated but growing out of it. If a Child is of that soft mind set, he or she is still a great kid, not a looser, and maybe he or she is not good at Football, US style, or soccer, or Rugby, Hockey, on and on. Maybe Heavy Contact sports are not for that Child.
      
      Then why would a Parent insist he or she get back out there, and scream at a coach for not playing that child?
      
      There are so many oppertunities for Kids, Tennis is dam hard, A Golf swing is tough to master, etc...etc.... Gymnastics is another consideration.
      
      What I am saying is Give a good coach a chance to be one. There may be real reasons why your child is not being played.
      
      And Keep out of your Childs head, let the Child grow, play at what they want to, and consider the whole package you are raising before giving permissions to Let a Child play in a competition League for any sport.
      
      Ask yourself, Who is it really gratifying, you or the Child? face yourself as well as the Truth about the Child.
      
      If a Coach is abusing power and just ignoring that Child it will become obvious, that matter you Handle directly with the Coach and the League, not start a fight on the field.
      
      My comment about being in the band was also not trying to be scarcastic, but truthfull.
      
      It is hard to learn and Instrument, takes tallent and hard work to develop that tallent. and It may be just as pleasurable for the Child, or in some cases more so.
      
      I will get off my soap box now, just offering considerations for a Parent to think on before they show there... Arse...at a Kids weekend Game.
      
      sorry about the respons length here, the end   

      replyreport
      1. 85

         Stevennix2001posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         No, you don't have to apologize, as i appreciate you taking the time to respond to this thread.  After reading your entire response closely, I think you do bring up a lot of valid points.  Ones that makes me think I should reconsider my stance on this whole situation, as this kind of reminds me of a story I read once.
         
         You see a few years ago in college, I did a research paper on Michael Jordan.  I remember reading that supposedly he didn't make it the first time he tried out for his high school varsity team; which inspired him to work on his game to get even better.  As it was experience that he was determined to never relive again.  Personally, i think what most professional athletes lack is resolve like Michael had, as most of today's athletes have a sense of entitlement without so much as earning anything.  Perhaps, you might have something with your statement there, as professional athletes were children once too.....

         replyreport