they're 9-year-old boys on a rec team. they've likely had 20 minutes of recess all day if they're lucky. you can talk to your son about his own behavior, but I'd leave it at that.

Anonymous wrote:Hell, if I witnessed the behavior, I wouldn't bother the coach. I'd tell the kids to pay attention right then and there. Why wouldn't you?

Because YOU DO NOT SPEAK TO CHILDREN DURING PRACTICE. THAT IS THE COACH'S JOB.

You can yank your own kid if your own kid is a problem.

In fact, if your own kid is a problem, ask the coach if he's worse or better when you are present, and then act accordingly.

Anonymous wrote:Keep your mouth shut. It's up to the coach to address the behavior.

Yup. What would you say "hey there volunteer dad, thanks for the second-rate job"?

Anything you say will sound like that.

A rec volunteer coach has a tough time, balancing all the needs of the team. I would offer to help the coaches -- maybe suggest splitting the team into 3 smaller groups for a portion of practice, and run drill stations. You and maybe another parent can offer to run a station. Maybe those boys are bored, distracted, whatever. Split them up a little and get their attention on something else.

Hell, if I witnessed the behavior, I wouldn't bother the coach. I'd tell the kids to pay attention right then and there. Why wouldn't you?

Once the kids get older, rec is for the goofs. Get on a classic or a travel team where there is a coach and not a volunteer Dad

Once the kids get older, rec is for the goofs. Get on a classic or a travel team where there is a coach and not a volunteer Dad

volunteer.

ok, mouth shut... for now...

Are they paid or volunteer coaches?

The few times I tried to give tips or feedback to the coach, he ignored me -- as he should. It did not take me long to learn to mind my business and let the coaches coach. Unless it is something really serious, I would let it be.

Anonymous wrote:9-yo DS is on a REC soccer team with all kids from the same school and the same grade, so the boys have known each other for a long time. In the last couple of practices I went I noticed the boys were really not listening or trying hard and basically were fooling and horsing around the majority of the time. I spoke with another parent who stayed last week and he agreed this was getting pretty ridiculous, as some kids who really wanted to work on their skills and play soccer were interrupted and bothered by all the distractions on/around the field. I sensed the coaches were a bit frustrated, too.

There're eleven players on this team with two coaches.

I had a brief talk with my DS about all the fooling around after last practice. I think most of the players could use a reminder about proper conducts, too, but I don't want to cross the line if the coaches are not raising any concerns with parents.

I get that these are rec players who may or may not really care about soccer, but I am worried though this could get worse if not addressed soon. Should I keep my mouth shut?

Let the coaches do their job. If anything, thank them for helping Little Johnny improve his skills and how much you like that part of the practice. But don't point out how other kids are screwing around. Coaching a rec league sport is a thankless job. I'm not saying kids should screw around and not work on skills but this is a REC league for 9 year old boys, it isn't the World Cup.

I'd tell the coach "Hey, I notice many of the kids are horsing around and not paying attention. Please feel free to yell at my kid at least to get in line and work on skills. And while I can't speak for other parents I think some of them feel the same way."

If I knew of two kids who rile each other up I might point out that separating them could be helpful.

Time for Coach to start giving people some laps.

Keep your mouth shut. It's up to the coach to address the behavior.

9-yo DS is on a REC soccer team with all kids from the same school and the same grade, so the boys have known each other for a long time. In the last couple of practices I went I noticed the boys were really not listening or trying hard and basically were fooling and horsing around the majority of the time. I spoke with another parent who stayed last week and he agreed this was getting pretty ridiculous, as some kids who really wanted to work on their skills and play soccer were interrupted and bothered by all the distractions on/around the field. I sensed the coaches were a bit frustrated, too.

There're eleven players on this team with two coaches.

I had a brief talk with my DS about all the fooling around after last practice. I think most of the players could use a reminder about proper conducts, too, but I don't want to cross the line if the coaches are not raising any concerns with parents.

I get that these are rec players who may or may not really care about soccer, but I am worried though this could get worse if not addressed soon. Should I keep my mouth shut?