High school sports tryouts: who is sweating it out with me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid who starts over varsity team members on their club team who is now hoping to make JV. When she found out she had no chance at varsity, she started calling them benchwarmers to their faces, so not great for club camaraderie

No, it's not and it could get her thrown off the club team.

[Anonymous]

OP: these couple of posters who don't understand the worry are representative of people who either lack the ablity to have or show empathy, for people here and even their own kids. Do not listen to them. While I am not going through it this year, I did many times and I know that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Hopefully they'll get good news at the end of this week but if not, just remind yourself that that bad feeling does go away and kids really are resilient. They won't be alone in their disappointment. They can choose to keep working hard and try again next year, or explore new interests. Either way, if it doesn't work out, there will be short term pain, but it will work out in the long run. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Um, for SO many reasons. Because then some kids will never get the chance to play. Because one or two coaches can only effectively coach/supervise a certain number of kids. Because a school bus for away games can only fit so many kids on it. Because isn't it enough the really sporty kids have to play with the really clumsy kids in gym class? Shouldn't they have the fun of getting to play with kids at a similar level? I could go on and on.

You are right of course. But I’d love to see really popular sports, where there are cuts, have B/C teams that practice and maybe don’t even have games. Just to allow those kids to play, enjoy the sport and maybe improve over the years.

That sounds lovely in theor, but honestly, by high school, that's a real waste of most people's time. It's really not fun to play a sport that you're not somewhat good at. I can't believe it would be fun to go out and practice every day knowing you'd never get to compete. Who would want to do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid who starts over varsity team members on their club team who is now hoping to make JV. When she found out she had no chance at varsity, she started calling them benchwarmers to their faces, so not great for club camaraderie

This post confuses me. She goes to a high school that has a more competitive team that some of the schools that her club teammates go to? Is that what you're saying. And somehow, because she won't make varsity at her school, she's mad at her club teammates who made varsity at their schoools? This just doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Um, for SO many reasons. Because then some kids will never get the chance to play. Because one or two coaches can only effectively coach/supervise a certain number of kids. Because a school bus for away games can only fit so many kids on it. Because isn't it enough the really sporty kids have to play with the really clumsy kids in gym class? Shouldn't they have the fun of getting to play with kids at a similar level? I could go on and on.

You are right of course. But I’d love to see really popular sports, where there are cuts, have B/C teams that practice and maybe don’t even have games. Just to allow those kids to play, enjoy the sport and maybe improve over the years.

This does exist. It's called club soccer. Or rec soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cut the cord. Your child's successes or failures are theirs, not yours. And high school sports is completely inconsequential.

Sure isn't inconsequential TO THE KID. My kid made varsity this year as a freshman - he didn't expect it, it happened, and it was an incredible experience for him. Having a group of men invest in him, encourage him, teach him, push him...he grew in so many ways - plus he loved playing his sport. Of course we want all of that for our kids! My kid has learning disabilities and has never found that level of connection with a teacher. I don't care who my son finds those supportive relationships with, whether it is through academics or sports or community service or the arts. But all kids deserve it, and so if you are waiting to find out if your kid is going to make a team that could offer all that...yes, you sweat it out.

[Anonymous]

We are not a sports family, but I feel the same way about music auditions, standardized tests and of course, college admissions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Um, for SO many reasons. Because then some kids will never get the chance to play. Because one or two coaches can only effectively coach/supervise a certain number of kids. Because a school bus for away games can only fit so many kids on it. Because isn't it enough the really sporty kids have to play with the really clumsy kids in gym class? Shouldn't they have the fun of getting to play with kids at a similar level? I could go on and on.

You are right of course. But I’d love to see really popular sports, where there are cuts, have B/C teams that practice and maybe don’t even have games. Just to allow those kids to play, enjoy the sport and maybe improve over the years.

This does exist. It's called club soccer. Or rec soccer.

In my area, rec ends at high school, and club is cost prohibitive for a lot of families. But I get that there are budget constraints.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a kid who starts over varsity team members on their club team who is now hoping to make JV. When she found out she had no chance at varsity, she started calling them benchwarmers to their faces, so not great for club camaraderie

This post confuses me. She goes to a high school that has a more competitive team that some of the schools that her club teammates go to? Is that what you're saying. And somehow, because she won't make varsity at her school, she's mad at her club teammates who made varsity at their schoools? This just doesn't make sense.

Lots of high schools won't cut juniors and seniors once they are on varsity, and yes, club sports are almost universally more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Because you can't have a 50 person tennis team

Or a 40 roster varsity soccer team

Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Because you can't have a 50 person tennis team

Or a 40 roster varsity soccer team

Etc.

Why not? It is time to rewrite the so-called rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Because you can't have a 50 person tennis team

Or a 40 roster varsity soccer team

Etc.

Why not? It is time to rewrite the so-called rules.

Well, i guess you can. But one of the objectives is to win, so half those kids would never see a minute of playing time.

Or pratice/coaching time. At best they would be 'scout team' type of players that only serve to act as the opponent in practice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Because you can't have a 50 person tennis team

Or a 40 roster varsity soccer team

Etc.

Why not? It is time to rewrite the so-called rules.

How and where are these kids supposed to practice? I was disappointed that my kid's school only has varsity swimming, but on the other hand, the school is allocated two one-hour time blocks per week at the county swimming pool, and they only have so many lanes. It's a structural issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do public schools still allow sports teams that have try outs / cut players? Why can’t everybody be on the team if they choose?

Um, for SO many reasons. Because then some kids will never get the chance to play. Because one or two coaches can only effectively coach/supervise a certain number of kids. Because a school bus for away games can only fit so many kids on it. Because isn't it enough the really sporty kids have to play with the really clumsy kids in gym class? Shouldn't they have the fun of getting to play with kids at a similar level? I could go on and on.

You are right of course. But I’d love to see really popular sports, where there are cuts, have B/C teams that practice and maybe don’t even have games. Just to allow those kids to play, enjoy the sport and maybe improve over the years.

That sounds lovely in theor, but honestly, by high school, that's a real waste of most people's time. It's really not fun to play a sport that you're not somewhat good at. I can't believe it would be fun to go out and practice every day knowing you'd never get to compete. Who would want to do that?

It’s only fun to play sports if you’re really good at them? That’s BS. And lots and lots of kids who don’t make the team are at least “somewhat good.” I agree with the PP. I wish there were more opportunities to play sports for teenagers. Rec soccer ends at middle school where I live. School teams are hard to make. Leaves few options for kids who just want to play for fun.

[Anonymous]

With 36 kids, the coach will get to know them and remember them. When DD tried out, more similar number to your first, I suggested she wear the same thing every day. It was a pink athletic shirt (I did lots of wash!! every night that week) I told her there were a zillion little brunettes with a pony tail trying out and she might need to have the coach keep them all straight.