Bad coach - do you say anything?
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Anonymous
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New to this, but what do you do when a talented group of athletes is not doing well because of terrible coaching and berating of players. This coach doesn't sub. Doesn't sub anyone out in first half, then puts 4-5 players in for 5-10 min in the second half. There is a full bench of talented, club players who are not playing at all. The players on the field are exhausted, ground down, getting injuries. Additionally, the coach is very negative and critical of individual players, telling them "I give up" after a losing game, not giving helpful criticism at all (ie., tell them what they should be doing, not just that they suck) and thus making the sport not much fun either. (This is high school, not club sports.)
Is there any recourse for this that doesn't blackball a student or family? I wonder if the athletic director knows this situation - but then again, maybe in schools you just keep your head down... Thoughts? |
Anonymous
| This sounds to me like a valid reason to sit down with the AD and have a conversation. You will want to tread lightly here and not focus on your kid but the overall program/team dynamic. It’s mid season so changes will not likely happen this year but if AD hears from multiple families (and those families are tactful in their approach), you might see a change up for next season. That said it’s extremely difficult to find good coaches who are available to coach on the high school schedule—not an excuse for what you describe but important to remember. |
Anonymous
| Is it safe to assume that this is not the high school bowling team ? |
Anonymous
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Ask for a meeting with the athletic director. Describe the situation and ask if what is going matches the school’s general approach to high school athletics. Ask what the expectations should be for play time for non-starting athletes, as well as the expectations for demands on starters/best players and how the school balances these demands with physical health and safety. Ask how the school will bring this coach into line with those expectations, if they aren’t matching.
If players are truly getting injured because a coach is overworking teenagers, the school admin should know about it and act on it. |
Anonymous
| We were in the same boat with DS’s varsity soccer coach but the situation was more extreme. He used a lot of profanity, name calling, screaming and turning players against each other by scapegoating certain players for losses. Parents complained to the AD and nothing was done. Eventually he left supposedly by his own choice but the damage was done to the kids who played under him for years. DS was demoralized and quit. Since you’re at a private school, your opinion and feedback may hold more weight but in my experience these ADs know exactly what is going on as they are usually at games. |
Anonymous
| Can your kid just play club sport and not join the HS team? |
Anonymous
exactly. vote with your feet. |
Anonymous
| What age are the kids? |
Anonymous
OP said high school. |
Anonymous
| Unlikely anything will change even if concerns are tactfully and objectively presented. |
Anonymous
| You may not like this but these coaches get paid to win games not just coddle your kids feelings. Of your kid wants on the field work harder to get there. Just like every other profession in life results matter and in athletics results are shown as wins and losses you end up with several loosing seasons and you will no longer have a job… |
Anonymous
OP here- thanks everyone for the points of view. PP, that's just it-- they aren't winning, and its really clear to almost everyone why -- the coaching is bad on a series of levels. This is a soccer, and 100% of the players on the team (and their parents) play for high level travel clubs, so we've all been around the block, dealt with a variety of coaches over the years etc. Not subbing (particularly when you are ahead or behind by a lot) is leading to losses and injuries, as well as failing to have other players learn and improve -- which then puts us at a disadvantage when those players do come on after someone is injured. But as this is a prviate school team, I think (though maybe incorrectly) that there's also a mandate to embody the spirit of the school to the extent that this is a place to grow and learn and have fun. That doesn't mean you don't play to win, but it does mean the coach should make sure there are opportunities for everyone to learn. I think another PP made a good point as well as to how hard it is to find coaches for these jobs that pay very little but demand a fair bit of time in the middle of the day, so maybe that's just the way it goes. |
Anonymous
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I think players should sub in and out personally. However, my kid has played full games before and so have other girls. No injuries. Not sure why playing 2 30 min halves is causing injuries during play.
Our soccer coach at our private wasn’t good either. The MS is a combined grades team. No berating or anything just not good and very few wins. Not a whole lot you can do I think unless you have a new coach willing to step up. |
Anonymous
| lol sure everyone travel kids are so good and it’s the coaching. Good luck. wait till you see college coaches. |
Anonymous
MS is a WHOLE different thing that HS soccer (where halves are 40 or 45). The strength and size of high schoolers means that there is a lot more force on the field and a lot more injuries. But I agree with the last line. |