On the off chance my sophomore makes varsity

[Anonymous]

Can he ask to be put on JV?

We have seen the schedules for this year and the varsity schedule has a number of games that conflict with another EC.

His plan is to try out, if he makes JV (he did last year and got a lot of playing time) then he will play. I asked him what his plan is if he makes varsity and he says he will just say he has a conflict and drop out.

If it is OK to ask for JV would you have your kid ask before the lists are made, or only if he makes varsity?

[Anonymous]

You are talking about basketball?

[Anonymous]

They aren't going to want to waste a JV spot in someone who isnt commited enough to put varsity over another activity.

[Anonymous]

Wut sport

[Anonymous]

Coaches use JV to develop players for future Varsity. If a kid doesn’t want to play varsity, what would be the point of then wasting a spot on your kid?

[Anonymous]

But if hes really good wuldn't they want to keep him on so he could do it in hte future

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are talking about basketball?

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But if hes really good wuldn't they want to keep him on so he could do it in hte future

I don't think this conflict will resolve in future years, so the PP's point that they might lose interest when he says he just wants JV is a good one.

It sounds like telling the coach he doesn't want varsity before try outs is a bad idea, but I'm still wondering if it would make sense to ask about a JV spot if he makes varsity. I mean, if the other choice is dropping out then why not try?

[Anonymous]

Making varsity is a big deal. If your kid turns down a varsity spot and asks to be put on JV instead, don’t be surprised if he gets passed over completely next year. Coaches want to see competitiveness and commitment. If your son goes to a big school, there will be plenty of others who will want to snap up that spot.

(Mom of D1 athlete who made varsity as a freshman.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They aren't going to want to waste a JV spot in someone who isnt commited enough to put varsity over another activity.

This is very true. The goal for most kids is to make Varsity. If a kid turns it down, they’ll move on to the next kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But if hes really good wuldn't they want to keep him on so he could do it in hte future

Doubtful because he’s shown them that this team is not his top priority for ECs.

[Anonymous]

Crazy how petty and vindictive these coaches are.
Is the JV squad working as hard as the squad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crazy how petty and vindictive these coaches are.
Is the JV squad working as hard as the squad?

It’s not really petty or vindictive. For lots of high school teams, there are many more talented kids than spots. Coaches want players who want to work hard with the goal of playing Varsity. If a kid declines a varsity spot, there are likely plenty of others who will accept it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crazy how petty and vindictive these coaches are.
Is the JV squad working as hard as the squad?

I don’t think the coaches are being petty. His interest lies elsewhere so why waste a spot on him? If he turns down varsity this year he most likely won’t even be considered for varsity next year.

[Anonymous]

Your son wants to tell the coach which team he wants to play on. Isn't that the job of the coach?