Just a few thoughts from a fellow MS coach:
This is my ninth season coaching school ball (did the Rec league thing and coached all three of my DDs through TB), but I know your situation may be different from mine. With Tournaments, we can get in about 22 games (March - May) with the Varsity and another 12 with the JV. School Admin tells me I must keep at least 18 players to field both, and no 8th graders on the JV. We had tryouts this week (26 girls showed up) and we kept 19 of them (8 8th graders and 11 7th graders). We cut a couple of players that could have contributed, and a couple that were definitely injury risks. When we play varsity I usually dress twelve. SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO KEEP YOUR NUMBERS MANAGEABLE.
I have learned through the years a shorter bench is much better with less dissatisfaction and more practice reps. One year I kept 25 and I still wonder how I kept my sanity.
I have two assistant coaches: a very experienced mom (her fifth year working with me) that has a full time job and my DD2 who is a in her third year as a college student (Math major, wants to teach HS) so I conduct a lot of practices by myself. Another great reason to limit the numbers.
When you make some cuts players have a little more confidence (and dedication) when they realize they were not kept because "everyone makes the team." There is a little more pride in having your name on the roster.
Lastly, I would estimate that 80% of the parent problems I have had over the years occurred when I kept a player for charitable reasons. The phrase "no good deed ever goes unpunished" has become a phrase we use everytime we make personnel decisions.
GOOD LUCK on your season, I know that everyone on DFP wishes you well!
This is my ninth season coaching school ball (did the Rec league thing and coached all three of my DDs through TB), but I know your situation may be different from mine. With Tournaments, we can get in about 22 games (March - May) with the Varsity and another 12 with the JV. School Admin tells me I must keep at least 18 players to field both, and no 8th graders on the JV. We had tryouts this week (26 girls showed up) and we kept 19 of them (8 8th graders and 11 7th graders). We cut a couple of players that could have contributed, and a couple that were definitely injury risks. When we play varsity I usually dress twelve. SO I WOULD URGE YOU TO KEEP YOUR NUMBERS MANAGEABLE.
I have learned through the years a shorter bench is much better with less dissatisfaction and more practice reps. One year I kept 25 and I still wonder how I kept my sanity.
I have two assistant coaches: a very experienced mom (her fifth year working with me) that has a full time job and my DD2 who is a in her third year as a college student (Math major, wants to teach HS) so I conduct a lot of practices by myself. Another great reason to limit the numbers.
When you make some cuts players have a little more confidence (and dedication) when they realize they were not kept because "everyone makes the team." There is a little more pride in having your name on the roster.
Lastly, I would estimate that 80% of the parent problems I have had over the years occurred when I kept a player for charitable reasons. The phrase "no good deed ever goes unpunished" has become a phrase we use everytime we make personnel decisions.
GOOD LUCK on your season, I know that everyone on DFP wishes you well!