club sports - (how) do you talk to the coach?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

🙄
They should be mature enough to work for what they want at that age. Then they can help the team AND get playing time. They’re not entitled to a position just because they want to play it. Kids earn their playing time on high school club teams. If they want to play forward and they have bad ball handling skills, go get some better skills or play on a less competitive team. The player who beat them out skill-wise shouldn’t have to sit just because Jimmy wants to play there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

🙄
They should be mature enough to work for what they want at that age. Then they can help the team AND get playing time. They’re not entitled to a position just because they want to play it. Kids earn their playing time on high school club teams. If they want to play forward and they have bad ball handling skills, go get some better skills or play on a less competitive team. The player who beat them out skill-wise shouldn’t have to sit just because Jimmy wants to play there.

The coach should be able to find time somewhere in the season where a kid can try the position he wants if he feels he can play that position. If the kid feels he can play a specific position, but the coach refuses to allow him the opportunity, find another team ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

🙄
They should be mature enough to work for what they want at that age. Then they can help the team AND get playing time. They’re not entitled to a position just because they want to play it. Kids earn their playing time on high school club teams. If they want to play forward and they have bad ball handling skills, go get some better skills or play on a less competitive team. The player who beat them out skill-wise shouldn’t have to sit just because Jimmy wants to play there.

The coach should be able to find time somewhere in the season where a kid can try the position he wants if he feels he can play that position. If the kid feels he can play a specific position, but the coach refuses to allow him the opportunity, find another team ASAP.

Ah, yes! The lesson we all want our kids to learn from sports: if you don’t get your way, it must be the coach’s fault!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

🙄
They should be mature enough to work for what they want at that age. Then they can help the team AND get playing time. They’re not entitled to a position just because they want to play it. Kids earn their playing time on high school club teams. If they want to play forward and they have bad ball handling skills, go get some better skills or play on a less competitive team. The player who beat them out skill-wise shouldn’t have to sit just because Jimmy wants to play there.

The coach should be able to find time somewhere in the season where a kid can try the position he wants if he feels he can play that position. If the kid feels he can play a specific position, but the coach refuses to allow him the opportunity, find another team ASAP.

Rec yes, club no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d encourage your sons to set up a meeting with the coach at the end of the season. Talk about goals for the off season, what the coach recommends they work on, etc. This would be a great time for your son to say, “I’m really interested in playing more midfield as opposed to defense next season. Are there specific things I can work on to make that a possibility?”

Either the coach will give him things to work on or say no, he’s staying at his position. You can at least have the information and move on to another organization if the new position is important to him.

Coach should be very happy to field this call from your sons imo. They’re old enough to initiate this conversation with you listening but not contributing.

No don’t wait! Every practice, game or scrimmage, the coach has an opportunity to put your kid in the position he wants to try. If he doesn’t think your kid can handle it, in practice he can stop play and explain to him why and what he needs to work on. If a coach can’t do this, look for a coach who is better for your child’s development.

I don’t think it is realistic to expect a coach to put a 15yo club player in a brand new position with no experience. It seems entitled. Discussing ways to improve at a certain position, vs I want to play here, is a completely different approach. So sure, have the conversation mid season but don’t expect a lot to change when the athlete hasn’t had a chance to do the work. I suggested end of season because most coaches have some sort of debriefing conversation or evaluation. Mid season is also fine, but interrupting practice isn’t a great idea, and neither is before or after practice imo. Ask for a convenient time to schedule a conversation rather than just catching coach on the run.

If a kid really wants to try and he’s capable, why not? There is plenty of time at practice, if not in a game. There may even be time in a game. Sometimes there is a situation where it can happen in a game.

I mean, it isn’t 10 year old rec, it is 15 year olds playing a club sport. If coach thinks they are capable, fine, but it is about contributing to the team. If the kid has personal goals, work them on their own time and show up to practice ready to try the position. Otherwise it is wasting the team’s time. I’d be annoyed if the coach decided to let the outfielder have a try at catcher during a game just for kicks.

Exactly, it's 15 year olds playing a club sport. It isn't game 7 of the World Series.

🙄
They should be mature enough to work for what they want at that age. Then they can help the team AND get playing time. They’re not entitled to a position just because they want to play it. Kids earn their playing time on high school club teams. If they want to play forward and they have bad ball handling skills, go get some better skills or play on a less competitive team. The player who beat them out skill-wise shouldn’t have to sit just because Jimmy wants to play there.

The coach should be able to find time somewhere in the season where a kid can try the position he wants if he feels he can play that position. If the kid feels he can play a specific position, but the coach refuses to allow him the opportunity, find another team ASAP.

Rec yes, club no.

If it’s a bad fit or a bad situation, find a better one. Warren Moon, who is one of the greatest and in my opinion, the most underrated NFL quarterback of all time, was recruited to USC. He declined because they were going to change his position so he went to Washington where he could play quarterback. He did what was best for him.