When To Tell HC We're Moving On?

Yeah, I'm running into this right now. Have 1-2 players that are questionable if we want them to return, of course we don't want to tell them until the season ends, due to they probably will not play very hard (which is totally understandable).

Just thought is was kind of funny that, we, as coaches would like the players to tell us if they will be leaving the team early, but are not willing to tell the players we don't want them to return until the season ends.

Maybe we lucky.

Except for 1 they have been up frount with DD.

You want to do it quickly. If there's drama involved at all, wait 48 hours after the last game and then take everyone else's advice and be gracious, but short. Been in the same boat before, always best to get to the point as directly as possible and a thank you for all you have done for her is always a good idea

GOINGDEEP said:

On a side of caution, and you may already have looked into this, but most states carry the 50% high school rule for travel/competitive teams during the school year. Being a freshman, when HS tryouts are, and then if she makes the "official roster", might not affect you this year. But it is something to consider in the long run.

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Don't want to hijack this thread, but was curious what the 50% high school rule is.

Tom said:

Don't want to hijack this thread, but was curious what the 50% high school rule is.

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Some states limit the number of girls from one high school who can play on a travel team. I believe this is a state high school league rule in most cases that prevents high school teams from keeping their high school teams together all summer as travel teams. It also makes it hard for a high school coach to force a player to play on a certain travel team. I know there can be a lot of pressure on girls to play for their town or the "designated" travel team for their high school and this rule makes it tough for coaches to impose their will on what a girl does in the summertime.

let it be fun said:

Some states limit the number of girls from one high school who can play on a travel team. I believe this is a state high school league rule in most cases that prevents high school teams from keeping their high school teams together all summer as travel teams. It also makes it hard for a high school coach to force a player to play on a certain travel team. I know there can be a lot of pressure on girls to play for their town or the "designated" travel team for their high school and this rule makes it tough for coaches to impose their will on what a girl does in the summertime.

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It does happen. There is a girl on my team that her HS Coach was totally upset with her because she joined our team (playing 18A) because she wouldn't be playing on his Summer Team playing 18B..... This was her first year playing ASA, and she got remarkably better facing the better competition.... guess he wanted to stifle her growth as a player.

That is pretty hash.

Tom said:

Don't want to hijack this thread, but was curious what the 50% high school rule is.

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The by-law as written in our state.

50% Rule – Participation (includes practice or games) during the school year on a non-school team prior to the school season by students that will play the following season on the high school team is limited to 50% of the number of players required to play the game, which would be five in girls’ softball. Only the specified number of students participating on a non-school team prior to the school season may be placed on the high school eligibility list the following season. Those students cannot be interchanged on the school’s team roster.

CoachKevin said:

Yeah, I'm running into this right now. Have 1-2 players that are questionable if we want them to return, of course we don't want to tell them until the season ends, due to they probably will not play very hard (which is totally understandable).

Just thought is was kind of funny that, we, as coaches would like the players to tell us if they will be leaving the team early, but are not willing to tell the players we don't want them to return until the season ends.

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I get it, from both sides. Coaches often want parents to commit but then if a better player comes along at tryouts, sorry. Especially in higher level teams it seems like no player is ever 'safe' for lack of a better word. And if you know at any second the coach might bump your DD for a stronger player, then you're going to feel less loyalty. But I also get if a coach's goal is to build the strongest team possible, how can he do it any differently? As for players, if you tell the coach before the season ends that you aren't returning, your DD might find herself sitting more, losing her position, etc. So you kind of have to wait until the end. I'm an open book type so all the subterfuge really bothers me. I don't know what the answer is though. It seems like less of an issue on lower level teams (B and C). You're less likely to attract the top talent for one thing but also it's less intense/competitive so it's easier for coaches to be loyal to their players. And therefore vice versa.

You are committed for one season and one season only; you owe them nothing beyond that. In order to eliminate drama and the rest of the crap that comes with it, you tell them immediately after the last game is played in the last tournament. This should give them ample opportunity to find a replacement coach and player. If they're unhappy about it, too bad! You need to look out for you and yours first.