Spring sports cuts

[Anonymous]

What is this looking like at your schools? We seem to have some teams that cut somewhat ruthlessly and others that take everyone, even when it results is extra large teams with kids who clearly aren’t good enough and will either be benched most of the season or will drag down the team. Is this just up to each coach? I kind of wish there were formal MCPS caps on roster size.

[Anonymous]

I think it is largely up to the coaches and I’m glad there aren’t MCPS caps on roster. Better to have more kids included and involved where the coach thinks it feasible and worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

The school system does not fund high school sports for the purpose of forming competitive teams. It's to keep kids engaged with school.
If a coach is able to handle a large roster, good for them.

[Anonymous]

I have a child who is on a no cuts team and it has been a wonderful experience. He doesn't drag down the team and doesn't mind being on the bench. He's grateful for the opportunity to participate, to learn, to get physical activity, to make friends, be part of a team, learn about teamwork and winning and losing, and have an activity outside of school when it's been hard to find his place.

[Anonymous]

Our middle school made cuts for teams. Interesting that high school would be even more inclusive.

[Anonymous]

High school has many more sports than middle school so easier to have a few no cuts teams. At orientation they said there is a no cuts option each season.

[Anonymous]

It depends on supply and demand. JV teams should be larger. Varsity should be the best of the best only. The problem comes when kids right on the cusp, quit if they only made JV. That becomes an issue with numbers. But worse is if they try and combine varsity and JV for one whole team and the best players quit because they don't want to share practice/playing time with kids that have never played before. Eats up the coaches time too.

You would be surprised how many club players no longer play high school sports because it is "too inclusive" or "too political"

[Anonymous]

I don’t think it’s a problem if the kids who play club/travel sports don’t play for their HS. They are still getting to play their sport at the level they prefer. These club/travel teams often require the athlete to put the club/travel team first in any scheduling conflict that arises with the HS team. Who cares if the “best” players play for the HS or not? More kids get to play total, and the “elite” kids get to play at the level they prefer. Win-win. Excluding kids with less experience so that kids who already play at the club level can also dominate HS teams is counterproductive and obnoxious.

[Anonymous]

The club/travel baseball and soccer teams that I know of pause their schedule for the HS season, so there are no conflicts. But I hear you about opportunity.. especially because travel sports are so expensive and therefore inaccessible to some kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s a problem if the kids who play club/travel sports don’t play for their HS. They are still getting to play their sport at the level they prefer. These club/travel teams often require the athlete to put the club/travel team first in any scheduling conflict that arises with the HS team. Who cares if the “best” players play for the HS or not? More kids get to play total, and the “elite” kids get to play at the level they prefer. Win-win. Excluding kids with less experience so that kids who already play at the club level can also dominate HS teams is counterproductive and obnoxious.

Says the everyone gets a trophy award moms

[Anonymous]

How does rising 6th grader apply for MS sports?

[Anonymous]

It just depends on the sport regardless of season.

In the fall, soccer/volleyball have cuts because there’s only so much play and practice time available. Football + Cross Country don’t cut.

In the winter basketball has cuts. Swimming + Track do not.

Spring has baseball/softball/lacrosse cuts. No cuts for track.

Enforcing roster sizes seems harsh. Just because a kid makes the team doesn’t mean they’re going to participate during games/meets. They should still have the opportunity to practice and be a part of the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does rising 6th grader apply for MS sports?

They don’t. Only 7th and 8th graders are allowed to participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is this looking like at your schools? We seem to have some teams that cut somewhat ruthlessly and others that take everyone, even when it results is extra large teams with kids who clearly aren’t good enough and will either be benched most of the season or will drag down the team. Is this just up to each coach? I kind of wish there were formal MCPS caps on roster size.

So you are Big Mad some mediocre kids are in your child’s team?

[Anonymous]

I coach JV Lacrosse and I am very much a no cuts guy. If a kid is willing to come out and give me effort every day then he has a spot on my team regardless of his ability. The only time I cut a kid is if I feel he isn't fulfilling his duties as a student first. I'll kick my best kid off the team in a heartbeat if I heard he was caught cheating on a test or an assignment.