Is this ok to suggest to the coach (5th grade rec basketball)
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
on DS's team there's this less athletic kid who appears to have a pretty good shooting ability (in practice shoot around) but has never had a chance to take even one shot so far this season according to the mom.
the only way i could think of for the coach to guarantee the kid a shot in a game would be the free throw granted after a technical foul (?) on the other team where any player on the court could take the free throw... so my question is, is this something i could mention to the coach that if such occasion arises please send this kid to the line? i believe all coaches almost always send the best free throw shooters to do this but might it be ok since we're talking about kiddie rec ball, plus it's not like the kid can't shoot... |
Anonymous
| No. It's really not OK. Not your place. At all. |
Anonymous
|
It's kind of you to be concerned, but this is the sort of situation where the kid should approach the coach before or after a practice and ask for advice on what he can do to get some shooting chances. The parents could do this too, but it's better for the kid to at that age. Hopefully the kid raising it will prompt the coach to pay some attention to whatever the issue is.
|
Anonymous
|
Ugh. And this is rec ball? Does the kid manage to get open but no one passes the ball to him. As a coach, I have a personal goal to have every kid on my team score a least once...especially if they are young and just starting out. that can really change a kid's confidence. Hopefully it is an oversight by the coach. I prefer building the team aspect among players as that seems to go a long way ... even off the court. I hope it isn't a matter of only helping out kids who might move into AAU.
As a parent I'd probably start cheering for that kid especially when he's open. |
Anonymous
My daughter's coach doesn't even keep scoring stats. He awards points for assists, steals, rebounds and picks. Stats on players are kept for each of those during games -- but there's no emphasis on shooting/baskets. This is to reward progress/execution of the more fundamental skills of the game. Not scoring. |
Anonymous
| Tell you kid to pass the ball to this kid. |
Anonymous
| Don't know if this is my kid, but if so he made his first basket today and is super pumped! Rebound just fell into his hands and everyone screamed "shoot it!" Called both sets of grandparents on the way home |
Anonymous
Yes. It's okay to say to the coach that everyone can shoot and add points to the game - from the foul lane or from the field. |
Anonymous
| Unless you want to be the assistant coach at every single game and practice, let the person who volunteered do the coaching. (And agree with PP - tell your kid to pass him the ball.) |
Anonymous
The coach knows this. Trust me. If you start insisting such and such a player do such and such, the coach will smile politely but write you off as one of "those" parents. If you know about the sport and wish to coach it, step up. Don't second-guess from the stands. That goes for referees, too. |
Anonymous
My child's coach is like this, and I really appreciate it! He tells the kids--all of them--to take shots when they have the opportunity (and personally talks to the kids who might need a little extra encouragement). I can see when he's working hard to get the ball to a player who doesn't get it as often. Thanks, coach! OP, I'd point out that your idea of free throw opportunity might be very stressful, since all eyes would be on him. Instead, I'd encourage your child to look for that other kid when he's open. And you can cheer for him to take a shot if he's in position. |
Anonymous
exactly. Especially with it not being your own kid. Would you want the coach to offer you parenting tips? |
Anonymous
And, mention "That kid sure is a good shooter, huh Coach." 
You are golden for seeing that this "unathletic" kid has a strong skill that's under-utilized. Most parents would only be focused on their kids' action. So, I applaud your interest. You don't want to antagonize anyone. Telling someone how to do their job is a guarantee for drama. Boost the kid! Tell him that you notice his skills. No need to be shy there! But, getting into how the game should be run? Stay away from specifics, OP. It comes off as pushy. Cheer on! |
Anonymous
|
our coaches did something wonderful last weekend. because of the no fill court press rule in our league, he put the weakest player (read: rarely touches the ball) at point guard and had him bring the ball up and initiate the offense (makes the 1st pass cross half court) for a quarter, when the score became kind of meaningless. every parent went absolutely wild cheering on his every move.
i kind of think this would be better than shooting free throws. |
Anonymous
*no FULL court press* |