OK Coaches, How Would You Address This One

[FrozenRope]

I'm continuously amazed at people that would want feedback from strangers when these situations are so much more complicated than anything you can describe in a post. I'm equally amazed at how many have it all figured out based on so little information. My limited advice in most every situation like this would be to wait a couple days and then have your daughter calmly ask the coach what she needs to do to help the team more. If coach doesn't respect her reasonable, non-emotional question on her playing time then she might need a new coach. If he welcomes the question but she can't live with the response then maybe it is time to reevaluate. Don't jump to conclusions and communicate. Maybe there is something in coach's eyes that needs attention and improvement. Having your daughter address the issue with her coach will teach her valuable lessons for the future regardless of the outcome.

C'Mon guys(gals)....seriously? "What do I have to do to get more playing time"? If you as the parent go to these games, watch these games, and don't do so wearing mommy or daddy goggles, the answer should be abundantly clear. If there was a back alley between the talent level of #9 and #10 on the roster, 10 wouldn't sit the entire day through 3 games on Sunday, unless the coach is an idiot. If there's a 10 lane superhighway dividing that skill level... then the coach has a leg to stand on. Subs are there for injuries.

I can tell you what she needs to do and I didn't see a single game she played in. In order of priority, she needs to Hit the ball, catch the ball, and throw the ball better than the #9 kid on the team. On top of that, she needs to know and understand the game, especially the role of the player standing in the position she plays.

 

[Bigclubswinger]

Did my quote at the top not say it all? "amazed how many have it all figured out based on so little information." Amazement reaffirmed.

Few good parents can turn off the mommy or daddy goggles. It's like going against human nature. Many coaches that are not idiots also have their own biases and perceptions. They make mistakes like all of us. If you are playing for a great, accomplished coach then that should be taken into account. Improved hitting, catching and throwing should lead to more playing time but let's live in the real world here. It doesn't always work that way. Again why I say asking these general questions on an Internet message board with limited information can lead to some really crappy advice.

 

[FrozenRope]

BCS, what's more amazing is folks that come to internet forums, knowing what they'll see and read and then are amazed by it.

 

[Bigclubswinger]

BCS, what's more amazing is folks that come to internet forums, knowing what they'll see and read and then are amazed by it.

Glad you're here to keep up the reputation of internet forums.

 

[FrozenRope]

See the red box with the X in the upper right corner of the window.... if you don't like internet forums...click that box...

 

[CPSBDad]

See the red box with the X in the upper right corner of the window.... if you don't like internet forums...click that box...

He might be on a Mac

 

[Momo'sDad]

OK Coaches, How Would You Address This One

I wouldn't. Not everything a player does or doesn't do requires an intervention. Sometimes kids don't like having their picture taken.

What would you say to her about how she feels about not contributing to the team's 2nd place win?

Unless she approached me to ask about it or otherwise demonstrated her feelings with behavior that brought attention to herself, there most likely wouldn't be anything to say.

As you described the situation, she supported her team all weekend and gave 100% in doing what was asked of her by her coaches. That's all any coach ever wants.

If you absolutely feel you must say something, let her know what an awesome teammate she is for answering the bell when her number was called.

 

[Rocketech1]

The reality is that with a roster of more than 9 players, some players are going to sit on Sundays. The question is are #10 - 12 ok with their role? I remember playing high school varsity soccer my senior year. We had a roster of 20, only 11 play on the field. I was a bench player and accepted my role on the "second team" who scrimmaged the starters almost every practice. We contributed to the team's success even though we got limited playing time on game day. The team went undefeated that season and was proud to be part of it.

 

[CPSBDad]

Of topic a bit, but I wondered about this a bit. Several years back my kids were going to a parochial school and the football team went on to win a state championship. Not everyone on that team got to play in that game, but they all received championship sweatshirts and I remember seeing some of my son's friends wearing them proudly even though they didn't play. Everyone contributes in their way.

Oh, about the picture. Some parents initiated it and the coach was happy to take a team photo. He asked the other team's coach is they would like to take a photo with both teams together. They did.

It was my kid who walked away from an individual photo I wanted.

 

[CoogansBluff]

I like what Momo'sDad said. ... Nothing wrong w/ her behavior, IMO. She has a right to her feelings, and a right to decline any photos that aren't part of the team. She'll figure this out.

C'Mon guys(gals)....seriously? "What do I have to do to get more playing time"?

You've got a point there. What can a coach really tell you? You can tell a player what she could work on, but to play more, you have to make me believe you're one of the best 9 hitters on this team, or that you are so valuable defensively (maybe SS or C) that I'm willing to play you over someone who hits better.