I can’t stress this enough. This is between the parent and the coach. There may be extenuating circumstances that are at play. But the level of judgement and “priorities”. I’m sure your co-workers are always thrilled when you leave work early for soccer or are late in the morning. I’ve heard every excuse in the book so I guess this board is full of people who are never late, never use weather, a sick kid, soccer practice, school meetings and events as an excuse to bail on work.

Lay off your tough talk of never missing a practice while likely walking out ion your work team.

Not everyone can telecommute, not everyone can afford a nanny, not everyone can afford travel soccer much less missing work just to not be late at practice by ten minutes and not everyone can afford to just “pay a high school kid” to drive them.

We have been driving 35-40 minutes to each practice for the last two plus years. In all that time my daughter has been late twice. In both those situations she texted her coach to let him know that we had hit traffic, and that we would be 5 minutes late. When we arrived, she did not walk up to the field to get ready, she jogged so that she could get right into the drills ASAP. That happens, and for the most part coaches don't mind. We leave 45-50 minutes early to ensure that is not something we have to worry about except in a pinch.

Last year we had 2 girls on our team who regularly showed up 10 minutes late to practice AND to game arrival times. They never let anyone know when they would be late. They walked to the field to set their bags down and then walked out to practice (probably another 5 minutes), and those kids and parents were surprised that their playing time was effected.

There’s no doubt that the DC area has selfish and entitled parents.

My DD’s previous team had to start a few games with 1-2 players short because the parents don’t care enough to be on time. To make matters worse, they slowly and causually walk their child to the sideline knowing that they were already 10 minutes late.

I know the outcomes of these games don’t matter, but it’s the courtesy, respect and commitment they need to have for the coach, the players and the other parents.

Anonymous wrote:One of my older son’s first coaches said “If you’re not early, you’re late.” He was eager to play and just starting out and insisted on being the first to the field every time after. Sometimes he was and sometimes he wasn’t but he got the message loud and clear and was always at least a little early. His younger brother learned from him. In our first year of travel soccer he always demanded to arrive 15 min early. We turned down carpools with parents who had a track record of always running behind. Many teams later we have learned that some coaches are more punctual than others. We always start off arriving 15 min early. If we see the coach routinely shows just before practice, we come closer to the start time. He is only late if we have a school event or medical appointment in which case we give the coach a heads up. In those cases, the coach is absolutely fine with it. There were 2 boys on his current team who were routinely late last year. He was very frustrated with them and made them run laps when they arrived. If you’re really concerned, speak to the coach. I am home during the day but I even I sometimes struggle with scheduling because I might have 2 kids practicing at the same time in 2 different places. It’s rare to know the practice schedule when you commit and coaches know this. Just be proactive rather than being routinely late without warning.

Yes. We had players that don't even give a heads-up that they will miss a practice-which happened often. And, often, there were players we were still checking on game availability the day prior. If we knew they would be missing games/tournaments--we could have borrowed players from another team Sigh. So glad we don't have team managers and there is a '3 strikes' rule at present place.

Everyone is understanding of family emergencies. We had a severe medical one where the last thing you are thinking (as it should be) rushing to a loved one at the hospital is a kid's soccer practice. But, again, extraordinary circumstances.

One of my older son’s first coaches said “If you’re not early, you’re late.” He was eager to play and just starting out and insisted on being the first to the field every time after. Sometimes he was and sometimes he wasn’t but he got the message loud and clear and was always at least a little early. His younger brother learned from him. In our first year of travel soccer he always demanded to arrive 15 min early. We turned down carpools with parents who had a track record of always running behind. Many teams later we have learned that some coaches are more punctual than others. We always start off arriving 15 min early. If we see the coach routinely shows just before practice, we come closer to the start time. He is only late if we have a school event or medical appointment in which case we give the coach a heads up. In those cases, the coach is absolutely fine with it. There were 2 boys on his current team who were routinely late last year. He was very frustrated with them and made them run laps when they arrived. If you’re really concerned, speak to the coach. I am home during the day but I even I sometimes struggle with scheduling because I might have 2 kids practicing at the same time in 2 different places. It’s rare to know the practice schedule when you commit and coaches know this. Just be proactive rather than being routinely late without warning.

Anonymous wrote:On my DD’s previous team, there were parents that would be routinely late for practices and games.

While I understand that unexpected traffic and other circumstances happen, it’s always the same parents. This annoyed me especially when the games were on weekends.

I teach my daughter to always show up early so she can be prepared physically and mentally. This is true for not only sports but for work and life too.

I always remind her that “The early bird gets the worm”.

One travel team my older son played on had the typical '45 minute' before game rule. Without fail--for the first 30-40 minutes it was just us and one other family. Even the Coach would roll in late routinely.

We had the other team/coach asking us if the game was still on, etc. Needless to say, we left that Club at the end of the year. And, this was a well-known big area Club. 2nd team out of 6 teams in age group.

On my DD’s previous team, there were parents that would be routinely late for practices and games.

While I understand that unexpected traffic and other circumstances happen, it’s always the same parents. This annoyed me especially when the games were on weekends.

I teach my daughter to always show up early so she can be prepared physically and mentally. This is true for not only sports but for work and life too.

I always remind her that “The early bird gets the worm”.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If getting to practice on time was an issue- maybe you should have picked a different team? I get work is important and traffic sucks but you committed your kid to an activity you might not be able to get to?

Our coach thinks being on time to practice is getting there 15 minutes early.

Yes!

Packers’ Coach Vice Lombardi is famously quoted as saying that “If you are five minutes early, you are already ten minutes late.”

If you want to grow and succeed in life and in your work, then it’s important to understand that even being on time in today’s society could be construed as being late. This is because you are always on someone else’s time. Moreover, when you are indeed late (or even just the last to arrive to a scheduled meeting) you are perceived (fairly or unfairly) as being one or more of the following:

Rude – You know you were late and you do not care, because you simply do not value the rest of the group’s time.

Inconsiderate – You know you were late, but you don’t understand that this shows little value for the rest of the group’s time.

Flighty – You didn’t realize you were late. In fact, you never realize when you’re late (which happens more for you than others); and you have no concept on how your tardiness wastes other people’s time.

Self-Important – You know you were late, but it could not be helped. Whatever it was that you were working on was vastly more important (as always) than the trivial matters the rest of the group gave up to be on time.

Disorganized – You planned to be on time (as usual), but the day just got away from you and you were late (as usual).

Asshole – You are an asshole.

And… rude, inconsiderate, flighty, self-important, disorganized assholes don’t get promoted.

Vast majority of people in the DC area.

^ I just posted the Lombardi quote and I grew up playing competitive sports from a young age. All 3 of my siblings and I played on top teams with incredibly strict and unforgiving coaches. Man, if you were late---you'd be throwing up from the drills they made you do.

I have to say that experience in my youth---and with parents that instilled those values is one of the best things that happened.

My kids Principal was a ball-buster in elementary school. Tardy passes were handed out like candy. Doors shut and locked at 9am. This is a public school. Many parents were p*ssed. They felt they should be able to roll in 10 minutes after the bell. I also had a tardy pass or two that was avoidable---usually because we weren't prepared and starting the morning late, etc.

My kids hate when we have to split up---and all say 'I want Mom to drive me'. That is because I am always early to games/practices (and, yes, I have a full-time day job). A player does better when they have the time to get to the field in a calm manner and warm-up properly. As a player and a Coach myself---it is very disruptive to have kids tricking in late and missing all instruction, warm up, etc. It's not fair to the Coach and it's not fair to their teammates.

Today's world we have too many kids doing too many things that they never give the time and commitment to one endeavor. They sign their kids up for 3 sports in the same season and all teams get the short-end of the deal. If you can't honor commitments you shouldn't be doing it. I also think there are more kids that shouldn't be doing higher level sports like travel because they don't have the commitment. By making everything 'pay-to-play' you get a whole crop of kids that don't have heart and really just don't care. Those kids should just go do a class at the local YMCA.

A lot of this area is SELF-ENTITLED. Every parent is just so Uber-important . My kids have done many International Camps and Coaches have told me that the DC area is always one of the absolute worst in the country in terms of player behavior and attitude. I totally believe it. A coach staying with us last week said one of the kids that was just a total destructive PIA that would not listen---called the parents--their Answer: "I don't understand. Jimmy plays for a very, high HIGH level team.'. Give me a f*cking break. Little J*mmy is an a**shole and it starts at home.

Our 3 kids have played team sports at every level for at least 10 yrs per kid. I can’t think of any kid on any team who was consistently late.

Anonymous wrote:If getting to practice on time was an issue- maybe you should have picked a different team? I get work is important and traffic sucks but you committed your kid to an activity you might not be able to get to?

Our coach thinks being on time to practice is getting there 15 minutes early.

Yes!

Packers’ Coach Vice Lombardi is famously quoted as saying that “If you are five minutes early, you are already ten minutes late.”

If you want to grow and succeed in life and in your work, then it’s important to understand that even being on time in today’s society could be construed as being late. This is because you are always on someone else’s time. Moreover, when you are indeed late (or even just the last to arrive to a scheduled meeting) you are perceived (fairly or unfairly) as being one or more of the following:

Rude – You know you were late and you do not care, because you simply do not value the rest of the group’s time.

Inconsiderate – You know you were late, but you don’t understand that this shows little value for the rest of the group’s time.

Flighty – You didn’t realize you were late. In fact, you never realize when you’re late (which happens more for you than others); and you have no concept on how your tardiness wastes other people’s time.

Self-Important – You know you were late, but it could not be helped. Whatever it was that you were working on was vastly more important (as always) than the trivial matters the rest of the group gave up to be on time.

Disorganized – You planned to be on time (as usual), but the day just got away from you and you were late (as usual).

Asshole – You are an asshole.

And… rude, inconsiderate, flighty, self-important, disorganized assholes don’t get promoted.

be on time suck it up leave early if you have to do so to get there on time. its about teaching your kid and teammates the importance of being accountable. thats part of joining a team. key word team

If getting to practice on time was an issue- maybe you should have picked a different team? I get work is important and traffic sucks but you committed your kid to an activity you might not be able to get to?

Our coach thinks being on time to practice is getting there 15 minutes early.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leave early get there on time. Part of the whole team expierience is learning to be accountable. Your letting down your teammates who do the right thing and show up on time. Honestly if you were late to your job evry day it wouldn’t be acceptable. late for school the same . If your join any team it’s part of the commitment . If you don’t take it serious enough to show don’t join the team just take your kid to the park and kick it around with them . I’m not acting like it’s the us national team. But it is a commitment don’t let others down .

+1. This is part of why we do sports in the first place: To build character, learn discipline, value teamwork, sportsmanship. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule and there's no need to go crazy about it, but as a general matter you should make a point of being on time.

Incidentally, who pays has zero to do with it (and gosh I hope you're not teaching your kid that you don't need to be accountable to others just because you're writing a check. That's a pretty terrible lesson to teach a child!) If you make a commitment to a team, you commit to practices. So make every reasonable effort to be on time, understanding that from time to time, things will come up and that's ok, too.

Gee, I don’t know, I kinda think teaching a commitment that work and a job that feeds a family are important too. I know letting the team down is serious business but so is paying the mortgage and feeding the family. Jesus the bubble you people live in.

If you are teaching your child that these all matter ( mortgage and team) and they work hard on and off the field, i think they’ll be ok. if they are late, a slacker, and don’t work hard off the field, no one will be happy. Cheers

The person likely didn’t ask the question if they didn’t think it important and they likely didn’t ask if getting to practice on time did not present some real hardship.

Taking a job seriously is not being a slacker and being ten minutes late is not letting anyone down on a youth soccer team.

Youth Soccer is a extra curricular recreation activity not the Marines.

To the OP, talk to the coach like an adult and ignore the advice based on fear in this board.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Leave early get there on time. Part of the whole team expierience is learning to be accountable. Your letting down your teammates who do the right thing and show up on time. Honestly if you were late to your job evry day it wouldn’t be acceptable. late for school the same . If your join any team it’s part of the commitment . If you don’t take it serious enough to show don’t join the team just take your kid to the park and kick it around with them . I’m not acting like it’s the us national team. But it is a commitment don’t let others down .

+1. This is part of why we do sports in the first place: To build character, learn discipline, value teamwork, sportsmanship. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule and there's no need to go crazy about it, but as a general matter you should make a point of being on time.

Incidentally, who pays has zero to do with it (and gosh I hope you're not teaching your kid that you don't need to be accountable to others just because you're writing a check. That's a pretty terrible lesson to teach a child!) If you make a commitment to a team, you commit to practices. So make every reasonable effort to be on time, understanding that from time to time, things will come up and that's ok, too.

Gee, I don’t know, I kinda think teaching a commitment that work and a job that feeds a family are important too. I know letting the team down is serious business but so is paying the mortgage and feeding the family. Jesus the bubble you people live in.

If you are teaching your child that these all matter ( mortgage and team) and they work hard on and off the field, i think they’ll be ok. if they are late, a slacker, and don’t work hard off the field, no one will be happy. Cheers