Just had a thought for some that mentioned job attendance. We have a policy it's so many excused then unexcused. Exceed that then corrective action. But until then if I call in they don't fine me, they don't say sit at home the nxt day. I come back to work and pick up from the day before I was out. May have to stay late to get caughg up but none the less that's it. No hills, no bench time, no laps. And yes I played sports in the day and yes I ran laps for attendance. Some laps or bench time I know I deserved what I was getting. A few tho I was wondering what is this accomplishing and why since I had no control. I seen kids in DD sports and bet they wondered the same thing.
HS team attendance and planned events/appointments
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- Feb 12, 2014
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Short answer - Yes!
My Dad was a non-teacher coach. He lined his vacation up every year so that he could work 8-12 hour days during two-a-day practices. Not the ideal relaxing vacation but he did it every year.
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Dear Lord coaches make this so complicated. This is a bit of a soap box issue for me, so please bear with me if I get a little long winded.
There are a few things that come into play here.
1. Make your practices so worthwhile the players want to be there.
Are your practices really that valuable. If so, then players will realize it and they will know that in order to be successful they need to be there, and they will make decisions in their own best interests.
As a coach are you stressing that work ethic means a lot to you? If you are players will know that it's important to be there, and will make decisions accordingly.
I've seen coaches with strict rules about missing practices run some of the worst practices, and the players know they are crummy practices. Why practice if no one is learning anything new.
I've also seen coaches who have strict rules about practices leave hard working players to rot on the bench, while lazy players who come to practice and goof off and mope around get to play. If work ethic doesn't mean playing time why force players to be at practice.
Don't get me wrong there are of course many great coaches out there- I'm just using a few examples to get to my point, which is stress the value of practice and make coming to practice and working hard meaningful to the players. Most kids are resourceful and want to get better, so they will choose to be there.
2. Don't be a self-important moron. Sometimes coaches get caught up in how important their time is they think the players can't live without that 2 hours a day. They can, trust me... they can.
3. Most importantly- Life happens. Relatives die, relatives get married, people get sick, vacations happen, exams and tests and grades are a priority, band concerts happen, kids have a job and the boss won't give you time off, the car breaks down, the Dr.'s office is busy and hard to reschedule...
Stuff happens and players miss practice, it's not the end of the world, quit acting like it is.
This was my rule as a coach and I learned it from my mentor who was a very successful football, volleyball, and softball coach: "If you miss practice you make me make a decision. You need to make the decision that is best for you, and I'll make the decision that is best for the team."
Keep in mind not every absence is equal, so the player who misses will get fair treatment, perhaps not equal, but definitely fair. I explained this to my teams and the parents, and have never had a problem.
I sat girls in the districts because they missed practice to buy prom dresses. I felt that could be done on a week end or after practice.
I sat my All-State catcher in the regionals because she took 3 days off of practice to go on some crazy road trip with some sketchy friends.
One of my football player's Grandma had a few good days near the end of her battle with cancer and he took Monday off of practice to spend a day with her. I started him and named him team captain for the week because his grandma was going to be in the crowd.
My Daughter had two job trainings for a new company that is just opening. She worked it out with her new boss to miss one training for SB practice. She worked it out with her coach to show up late for practice when her training was done. Both realized she was a hard worker trying to honor two commitments.
When you have a RULE that missing practice = some punishment they you often put yourself in a rough spot. What if your best player get into a car accident on the day before the state championship? Does she sit because she broke your rule? I'm sure not, but what will the other players and parents think if she isn't subject to your rules like the rest of the girls?
In summation, realize life gets in the way of practice sometimes and be fair when it does.
There are a few things that come into play here.
1. Make your practices so worthwhile the players want to be there.
Are your practices really that valuable. If so, then players will realize it and they will know that in order to be successful they need to be there, and they will make decisions in their own best interests.
As a coach are you stressing that work ethic means a lot to you? If you are players will know that it's important to be there, and will make decisions accordingly.
I've seen coaches with strict rules about missing practices run some of the worst practices, and the players know they are crummy practices. Why practice if no one is learning anything new.
I've also seen coaches who have strict rules about practices leave hard working players to rot on the bench, while lazy players who come to practice and goof off and mope around get to play. If work ethic doesn't mean playing time why force players to be at practice.
Don't get me wrong there are of course many great coaches out there- I'm just using a few examples to get to my point, which is stress the value of practice and make coming to practice and working hard meaningful to the players. Most kids are resourceful and want to get better, so they will choose to be there.
2. Don't be a self-important moron. Sometimes coaches get caught up in how important their time is they think the players can't live without that 2 hours a day. They can, trust me... they can.
3. Most importantly- Life happens. Relatives die, relatives get married, people get sick, vacations happen, exams and tests and grades are a priority, band concerts happen, kids have a job and the boss won't give you time off, the car breaks down, the Dr.'s office is busy and hard to reschedule...
Stuff happens and players miss practice, it's not the end of the world, quit acting like it is.
This was my rule as a coach and I learned it from my mentor who was a very successful football, volleyball, and softball coach: "If you miss practice you make me make a decision. You need to make the decision that is best for you, and I'll make the decision that is best for the team."
Keep in mind not every absence is equal, so the player who misses will get fair treatment, perhaps not equal, but definitely fair. I explained this to my teams and the parents, and have never had a problem.
I sat girls in the districts because they missed practice to buy prom dresses. I felt that could be done on a week end or after practice.
I sat my All-State catcher in the regionals because she took 3 days off of practice to go on some crazy road trip with some sketchy friends.
One of my football player's Grandma had a few good days near the end of her battle with cancer and he took Monday off of practice to spend a day with her. I started him and named him team captain for the week because his grandma was going to be in the crowd.
My Daughter had two job trainings for a new company that is just opening. She worked it out with her new boss to miss one training for SB practice. She worked it out with her coach to show up late for practice when her training was done. Both realized she was a hard worker trying to honor two commitments.
When you have a RULE that missing practice = some punishment they you often put yourself in a rough spot. What if your best player get into a car accident on the day before the state championship? Does she sit because she broke your rule? I'm sure not, but what will the other players and parents think if she isn't subject to your rules like the rest of the girls?
In summation, realize life gets in the way of practice sometimes and be fair when it does.
- Sep 29, 2014
- 2,421
- 113
1. You should not miss for doctors and dentist appointments etc. Work it out...no excuses
2. Freshman and new kids who did not know better usually get a pass (which means extra work and maybe some bench time but not all game) if non refundable tickets or family reunions were already planned usually get a pass; any upperclassmen on Varsity knows better we play through Spring Break!
3. Usually the season is almost over and as long as playoffs are not impacted coach will get with other coach and work something out, but sometimes it means being late for Prom if that is what it takes to make playoffs or if it is during playoff run
2. Freshman and new kids who did not know better usually get a pass (which means extra work and maybe some bench time but not all game) if non refundable tickets or family reunions were already planned usually get a pass; any upperclassmen on Varsity knows better we play through Spring Break!
3. Usually the season is almost over and as long as playoffs are not impacted coach will get with other coach and work something out, but sometimes it means being late for Prom if that is what it takes to make playoffs or if it is during playoff run
You have explained special circumstance for some of these and the coach should be aware and accommodating in my opinion. But for regular appts, you work around (and it sounds like you do)
It isn't hard to look at past seasons and see what happened in the past. Right now I just assume I can only plan week long vacations in late July/August after nationals and the 2 weeks before and after Christmas.
For the school's prom where they attend - nothing on that day if it can all be avoided...but otherwise you are going to have to be working around schedules.
I sympathize with a lot of this on both sides, but HS coaches have less flexibility than you do for travel softball. You have to get your district games in before X date. You can't start until X date. Every weather day kills you. Some school things have to be worked around. You are not in control of a lot of your schedule. If you need a game between school x and school y and you have 1 week left, and 2 prom nights and it schedule rain. And so on...
Had lots of responses and hope they provided some food for thought. Now some disclosures
1. DD did have to run for her absence and sit. While I thought BS I never said anything, their team their rules. I ran my tb teams with my rules.
2. Yes I have a streak of rebellion against authority. None the less I have been at the same mfg. company for over twenty five yrs. We employee over 20,000 world wide and have went from hourly operater to lower mngt during those yrs. I'm very much cause / effect data oriented.
3. I played sports In hs and was very competive. Made highlight reel every yr for some vicious hits. I hated to lose.
4. Something changed with me concerning sports around 35. Playing rec slow pitch with some guys. Some like me could play and knew the game. Some on my team couldn't catch colds. Some of the " players" started complaing about the less gifted on our team. I realized that this is fun and take it for that and enjoy. Lose no money out of pocket, win no money going to pocket.
5. I've seen some great coaches work with DD and some total idiots. I stayed out of it and worked with her on our time. Yes Im very protective of pitching mechanics as I have a butt load of money tied up.
6. DD over yrs went from wantING to play college ball to would rather go into medical without demands of ball. If anyone wants to drink a beverge and debate why give me a call
7. With all this I just wanted to create some thought. In TB you can join a team with your goals in mind. HS ball is mixed bag of goals between players and coaches and AD's. So coaches keep this mind when rule making and placing impotrance of certain aspects. Parents keep this in mind when you read the rules they are walking a line.
8. Surgery DD had put some perspective on things. She is fine problem fixed zero effects. Coaches Rember parents perspective is different than yours and that's their child. Mama and papa bears are there.
9. Coaches who do it right thank you. Other coachs find another hobby. Parents who do it right thank you and maybe you should look into coaching one day. Rose colored glasses, helicopter parents, drink a beer and set in the outfield.
1. DD did have to run for her absence and sit. While I thought BS I never said anything, their team their rules. I ran my tb teams with my rules.
2. Yes I have a streak of rebellion against authority. None the less I have been at the same mfg. company for over twenty five yrs. We employee over 20,000 world wide and have went from hourly operater to lower mngt during those yrs. I'm very much cause / effect data oriented.
3. I played sports In hs and was very competive. Made highlight reel every yr for some vicious hits. I hated to lose.
4. Something changed with me concerning sports around 35. Playing rec slow pitch with some guys. Some like me could play and knew the game. Some on my team couldn't catch colds. Some of the " players" started complaing about the less gifted on our team. I realized that this is fun and take it for that and enjoy. Lose no money out of pocket, win no money going to pocket.
5. I've seen some great coaches work with DD and some total idiots. I stayed out of it and worked with her on our time. Yes Im very protective of pitching mechanics as I have a butt load of money tied up.
6. DD over yrs went from wantING to play college ball to would rather go into medical without demands of ball. If anyone wants to drink a beverge and debate why give me a call
7. With all this I just wanted to create some thought. In TB you can join a team with your goals in mind. HS ball is mixed bag of goals between players and coaches and AD's. So coaches keep this mind when rule making and placing impotrance of certain aspects. Parents keep this in mind when you read the rules they are walking a line.
8. Surgery DD had put some perspective on things. She is fine problem fixed zero effects. Coaches Rember parents perspective is different than yours and that's their child. Mama and papa bears are there.
9. Coaches who do it right thank you. Other coachs find another hobby. Parents who do it right thank you and maybe you should look into coaching one day. Rose colored glasses, helicopter parents, drink a beer and set in the outfield.
WARRIORMIKE
Pro-Staff Everything
So what. I had to miss school because I ran out of AquaNet. Hair emergencies man.
20 years as a high school head football coach.
1. Changed for me over the years. Orthodontist appointments became a huge issue. Work at a rural school and the orthodontist only scheduled after lunch and an hour away. Get her as fast as you can. Parents 95% of the time where great.
2. We will practice or play. Thanksgiving was always a scare but never any problems. You have to be deep in the playoffs to practice during Thanksgiving.
3. School event should be worked out.
Love TB but hate the moving parts.
1. Changed for me over the years. Orthodontist appointments became a huge issue. Work at a rural school and the orthodontist only scheduled after lunch and an hour away. Get her as fast as you can. Parents 95% of the time where great.
2. We will practice or play. Thanksgiving was always a scare but never any problems. You have to be deep in the playoffs to practice during Thanksgiving.
3. School event should be worked out.
Love TB but hate the moving parts.
Some parents don't want to have their kids miss school for vacation so you are limited in your vacation times. Basically two weeks in December, a week in March and 8 weeks from mid-June to September. For a travel ball kid you can shorten that time even more because they are playing until mid-July. Then in August the tryouts start. So you basically have two weeks in December, a week in March and two weeks at the end of July. That doesn't even factor in a DD who plays multiple sports.
I plan softball around my life, not my life around softball.
- Jun 12, 2015
- 3,848
- 83
I would love it if our HC would enforce our TB practice attendance rules. He's a teddy bear, god love him.
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