Managing playing time rules in first-year rec-league basketball

[Anonymous]

Coaches like the above really suck. When my son was that age, he was treated as a 'try hard' and only ever got his 2 quarters of playing time. He quit basketball to play soccer instead. He grew to be 6'4" and still hates basketball because of the way those early parent coaches treated him. Rec league should teach skills and encourage ALL the players. Those awkward kids could turn out to be pretty good if given a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Nobody seems willing to quit the team to free up playing time so that's off the table.

Wow, if this statement does not sum up all that is wrong with youth sports today, I don't know what does.

You are A COACH of third grade boys and you are apparently frustrated that some of the kids you are supposed to be coaching won't just up and QUIT playing the game and participating on your rec league team so that your son -- the good, allegedly future "travel" kid - can play more?? Seriously??? That's beyond disturbing to hear from a coach. You do realize that you volunteered to coach ALL the kids in your charge, not just to prepare your son for his NBA career, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Nobody seems willing to quit the team to free up playing time so that's off the table.

Anonymous wrote:

This is a scary statement coming from a youth sports coach for young kids. It is very clear that he should not be coaching kids anywhere.

[Anonymous]

People like this are why I think the whole "sports makes better students and community members" is a bunch of bogus. Yes, these kids work hard, but it's all about them. When they grow up, it's all about their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did I read that double-teams are prohibited? If so, then that's your answer.

When you only have one good player on the floor in the first quarter, on defense you play your good player against their tallest player to start. At age 8, let the other kids shoot and be sure you have your good player in position to get rebounds. It's a make-miss league; if they sink their shots then tip your cap to the opposing coach.

But generally they'll miss, and at some point you'll rebound or the ball will fly out off them. So then you have your good player take the ball up the court. So long as he makes forward progress he can take the ten seconds to cross midcourt, and there should be no backcourt defense at this age level. Then he can cross midcourt against one defender with a head of steam, so have him continue all the way to the hole for layup after layup as one-on-one will be cake for him.

What about the other kids, you say? If it's a rebound you tell them to stay in the defensive half of midcourt. No double-teams, remember? Then as I note above, bet on your son to beat his opponent down the court to the hoop. Even if he misses he can follow his own miss with abandon, as his teammates are all back the other way and can get in the way until he catches up.

If you have to in-bound from midcourt so your players are supposed to all be in the offensive end, then just line them up along the left sideline bunched against the baseline. That will leave 8 kids effectively out of the way in the corner, while your son can go one-on-one with the sole defender. What's more, you probably won't have the absolute best defender on your kid in the first quarter since scouting isn't really done very much at the 8-year-old rec league level.

Look, it's not like your son and the other good kid are missing out on team play. The other poster mentioned clustering your good players in the fourth (all) and third (the two good ones) quarters. That's where they learn about using their teammates, passing, and whatnot. Plus the other team will come out of halftime thinking you're a one-on-one team, and all of a sudden they'll get rotated and pick-and-rolled to death.

I've coached all my boys to championships in rec league for ages 8 through 12; after that they were just too busy with travel basketball and travel lacrosse. Yes, I've had lawyer, doctor, lobbyist parents complain to me about how I run my program. I tell them look, I run a landscaping business so that I can be with my kids. You can't run away from your kids all day to work in your high-powered job, and then expect me to fix your relationship with your kid. If you're gonna impose a kid who can't play or just isn't getting better onto my team, and then push through fair time rules and stuff, then I'm gonna do what I need to do to build a program of success.

I think I remember reading about your Rec League Championships in the Post. Oh, wait no I didn't because nobody EVER wrote anything about Rec league game other than parents going crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did I read that double-teams are prohibited? If so, then that's your answer.

When you only have one good player on the floor in the first quarter, on defense you play your good player against their tallest player to start. At age 8, let the other kids shoot and be sure you have your good player in position to get rebounds. It's a make-miss league; if they sink their shots then tip your cap to the opposing coach.

But generally they'll miss, and at some point you'll rebound or the ball will fly out off them. So then you have your good player take the ball up the court. So long as he makes forward progress he can take the ten seconds to cross midcourt, and there should be no backcourt defense at this age level. Then he can cross midcourt against one defender with a head of steam, so have him continue all the way to the hole for layup after layup as one-on-one will be cake for him.

What about the other kids, you say? If it's a rebound you tell them to stay in the defensive half of midcourt. No double-teams, remember? Then as I note above, bet on your son to beat his opponent down the court to the hoop. Even if he misses he can follow his own miss with abandon, as his teammates are all back the other way and can get in the way until he catches up.

If you have to in-bound from midcourt so your players are supposed to all be in the offensive end, then just line them up along the left sideline bunched against the baseline. That will leave 8 kids effectively out of the way in the corner, while your son can go one-on-one with the sole defender. What's more, you probably won't have the absolute best defender on your kid in the first quarter since scouting isn't really done very much at the 8-year-old rec league level.

Look, it's not like your son and the other good kid are missing out on team play. The other poster mentioned clustering your good players in the fourth (all) and third (the two good ones) quarters. That's where they learn about using their teammates, passing, and whatnot. Plus the other team will come out of halftime thinking you're a one-on-one team, and all of a sudden they'll get rotated and pick-and-rolled to death.

I've coached all my boys to championships in rec league for ages 8 through 12; after that they were just too busy with travel basketball and travel lacrosse. Yes, I've had lawyer, doctor, lobbyist parents complain to me about how I run my program. I tell them look, I run a landscaping business so that I can be with my kids. You can't run away from your kids all day to work in your high-powered job, and then expect me to fix your relationship with your kid. If you're gonna impose a kid who can't play or just isn't getting better onto my team, and then push through fair time rules and stuff, then I'm gonna do what I need to do to build a program of success.

Hey coach. I am certain I recognize who you are. You are always so full of yourself to notice but people in the league and county laugh at you and your 'approach'. You really need to stop reliving the glory days bud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did I read that double-teams are prohibited? If so, then that's your answer.

When you only have one good player on the floor in the first quarter, on defense you play your good player against their tallest player to start. At age 8, let the other kids shoot and be sure you have your good player in position to get rebounds. It's a make-miss league; if they sink their shots then tip your cap to the opposing coach.

But generally they'll miss, and at some point you'll rebound or the ball will fly out off them. So then you have your good player take the ball up the court. So long as he makes forward progress he can take the ten seconds to cross midcourt, and there should be no backcourt defense at this age level. Then he can cross midcourt against one defender with a head of steam, so have him continue all the way to the hole for layup after layup as one-on-one will be cake for him.

What about the other kids, you say? If it's a rebound you tell them to stay in the defensive half of midcourt. No double-teams, remember? Then as I note above, bet on your son to beat his opponent down the court to the hoop. Even if he misses he can follow his own miss with abandon, as his teammates are all back the other way and can get in the way until he catches up.

If you have to in-bound from midcourt so your players are supposed to all be in the offensive end, then just line them up along the left sideline bunched against the baseline. That will leave 8 kids effectively out of the way in the corner, while your son can go one-on-one with the sole defender. What's more, you probably won't have the absolute best defender on your kid in the first quarter since scouting isn't really done very much at the 8-year-old rec league level.

Look, it's not like your son and the other good kid are missing out on team play. The other poster mentioned clustering your good players in the fourth (all) and third (the two good ones) quarters. That's where they learn about using their teammates, passing, and whatnot. Plus the other team will come out of halftime thinking you're a one-on-one team, and all of a sudden they'll get rotated and pick-and-rolled to death.

I've coached all my boys to championships in rec league for ages 8 through 12; after that they were just too busy with travel basketball and travel lacrosse. Yes, I've had lawyer, doctor, lobbyist parents complain to me about how I run my program. I tell them look, I run a landscaping business so that I can be with my kids. You can't run away from your kids all day to work in your high-powered job, and then expect me to fix your relationship with your kid. If you're gonna impose a kid who can't play or just isn't getting better onto my team, and then push through fair time rules and stuff, then I'm gonna do what I need to do to build a program of success.

I thought the OP was a big tool then you came along as a gift from the Gods. So you won Rec League Championships but how many kids did you ever really improve?

[Anonymous]

If you all think you can coach, then GET OUT THERE AND COACH!!! With all the time I put in, I've earned the right to coach the team as I see fit. And obviously it's worked because I've won a number of 8-12-year-old rec league championships.

And for those who say nobody cares because it's not in the Post--tell that to the two HIGH SCHOOL athletic directors who had me as runner-up to coach their FRESHMEN teams!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you all think you can coach, then GET OUT THERE AND COACH!!! With all the time I put in, I've earned the right to coach the team as I see fit. And obviously it's worked because I've won a number of 8-12-year-old rec league championships.

And for those who say nobody cares because it's not in the Post--tell that to the two HIGH SCHOOL athletic directors who had me as runner-up to coach their FRESHMEN teams!!!

What is an 8-12 year old recreation bball championship? The little playoff within the league they do at the end of the season? I think our league does this starting in 4th before AAU starts in 5th and it lasts all of one week. In fourth actually a few select kids are allowed to play AAU or select, so I don't know why any kid who was outstanding would even be playing in this 4th grade rec league championship. The recreation teams are supposed to be even! There shouldn't be one coach who ends up winning all the time. Did you not read the word "Recreation" in your league description? Maybe you'd make a great high school coach. I don't know. I wouldn't want you, but I'm sure some parents would. You sound like a horrific 8-12 year old recreation basketball coach though and that is not debatable. Please find something else to do with your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you all think you can coach, then GET OUT THERE AND COACH!!! With all the time I put in, I've earned the right to coach the team as I see fit. And obviously it's worked because I've won a number of 8-12-year-old rec league championships.

And for those who say nobody cares because it's not in the Post--tell that to the two HIGH SCHOOL athletic directors who had me as runner-up to coach their FRESHMEN teams!!!

If you understood your role as a Rec Coach you would be telling us about the players you developed and how they later blossomed as basketball players. But no, you think winning some Rec league championship and being asked to coach 6th grade means you have some kind of "program"

Exactly what is your development curriculum that is fail safe in the competitive world of rec basketball?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you all think you can coach, then GET OUT THERE AND COACH!!! With all the time I put in, I've earned the right to coach the team as I see fit. And obviously it's worked because I've won a number of 8-12-year-old rec league championships.

And for those who say nobody cares because it's not in the Post--tell that to the two HIGH SCHOOL athletic directors who had me as runner-up to coach their FRESHMEN teams!!!

If you understood your role as a Rec Coach you would be telling us about the players you developed and how they later blossomed as basketball players. But no, you think winning some Rec league championship and being asked to coach 6th grade means you have some kind of "program"

Exactly what is your development curriculum that is fail safe in the competitive world of rec basketball?

Those who can't coach, complain.

My players, the ones who are good, wind up playing key roles on high school and AAU basketball teams. They know how to win because I TAUGHT them to win. They also know how to use their teammates because I gave them the chance to do so. And they know how to be the MAN because I let them be the MAN.

The "try hards" are kids you respect for filling out your team. But when you look at a bunch of 8 or 9-year-olds, you know full well which one or two kids are going to be legitimate players in high school. What you have to do is direct everyone's efforts toward being sure those kids help the high school win in 8 or 10 years. That means learning to win now and shaping the team to develop their talents.

[Anonymous]

"What you have to do is direct everyone's efforts toward being sure those kids help the high school win in 8 or 10 years. That means learning to win now and shaping the team to develop their talents. "

Because if the high school loses what exactly happens? There is an obesity epidemic because of children dropping out of sports due to coaches like you who only focus on the best kids. That is a national issue. Whether a high school team wins or loses is not a national issue or even a local one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"What you have to do is direct everyone's efforts toward being sure those kids help the high school win in 8 or 10 years. That means learning to win now and shaping the team to develop their talents. "

Because if the high school loses what exactly happens? There is an obesity epidemic because of children dropping out of sports due to coaches like you who only focus on the best kids. That is a national issue. Whether a high school team wins or loses is not a national issue or even a local one.

It's a pretty huge issue where I live. Just the other day the old-timers at the bar had a 45-minute debate over whether John Yates should have gone to the 4-corners against Martinsville from the get-go in the '76 state championship (which Martinsville won by 8 with a score in the low 60s). Of course, you were probably playing NBA 15 on PlayStation rather than appreciating the history of the game.

It's also a pretty huge issue to college basketball recruiters. A lot more kids are getting scholarship money to play basketball then they are to "fight obesity".

Plus, there's nothing stopping these other kids from skipping that fourth cheeseburger at McD's after school, or saying "you know what, I think I'll have some vitamin water rather than the Big Gulp". But, you know, it's not trophies for participation that lead to failure--it's coaches like me who push kids to get better and to support the stars. Got it -- loser.

[Anonymous]

dude you are a crappy coach and it isn't called travel basketball it is AAU and chances are you are a troll or trying to live vicariously through your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"What you have to do is direct everyone's efforts toward being sure those kids help the high school win in 8 or 10 years. That means learning to win now and shaping the team to develop their talents. "

Because if the high school loses what exactly happens? There is an obesity epidemic because of children dropping out of sports due to coaches like you who only focus on the best kids. That is a national issue. Whether a high school team wins or loses is not a national issue or even a local one.

It's a pretty huge issue where I live. Just the other day the old-timers at the bar had a 45-minute debate over whether John Yates should have gone to the 4-corners against Martinsville from the get-go in the '76 state championship (which Martinsville won by 8 with a score in the low 60s). Of course, you were probably playing NBA 15 on PlayStation rather than appreciating the history of the game.

It's also a pretty huge issue to college basketball recruiters. A lot more kids are getting scholarship money to play basketball then they are to "fight obesity".

Plus, there's nothing stopping these other kids from skipping that fourth cheeseburger at McD's after school, or saying "you know what, I think I'll have some vitamin water rather than the Big Gulp". But, you know, it's not trophies for participation that lead to failure--it's coaches like me who push kids to get better and to support the stars. Got it -- loser.

Got it, yes. You clearly are trolling us. You have to be. You job as 8-9 year old rec coach is NOT to prepare them to be high school stars. Your job is to teach ALL of them how to play the game. That's why it is called a REC league.

And coaches like you do not have the crystal ball you think you have, or the ability to "spot" talent. Last year, my son was with a different coach who emphasized teamwork and he excelled. He is a very good player. Now he is with this new dips hit coach who has had mostly the same kids for three years and he play sonly them because he thinks like you do. And so all the other kids are suffering.

Arghhh. And I did coach. I coached AAU girls for years. And no one with half a brain thought like you, "Coach.