High School experts!

[FP26]

Well said CB. I, for one, attempt to avoid using generalizations. If I have, I apologize for that. In general I think most people on this site are in agreement that there are good and bad coaches at every level. At the younger ages, it is a parents job, duty, responsibility to help their DDs and DSs by handling many of the issues and challenges for them. But at some point we all need to allow them to grow and mature on their own. That doesn't mean we turn our backs on them, but it does mean that we allow them the latitude to deal with certain situations on their own, knowing that they have the support of their parents if it is needed. I will not claim that making this adjustment is easy, but as a parent, you have to have the faith that you raised your child in a manner that he/she can handle these situations.

As a coach, I do what I can to learn as much as possible, keeping an open mind throughout the process, and then sharing that knowledge with those players that call me "coach". My wish is that the other coaches in my DDs life do the same...

 

[YOCOACH]

YOCOACH, I've been through a lot of grief lately with people attacking teachers and so, I'm a little sensitive. So, I apologize if I took it wrong.

After re-reading my post, I can certainly see where that can happen. No need to apoligize. I think attacking teachers is the en vogue thing to do since the administrators and politicians don't want to admit to failed policies.

 

[JJsqueeze]

ThatDad, I IM'd you the details. For the record, I have never claimed my DD was as good as Pauly or Osterman.

You don't need to defend anything. Your DD reached a level higher than 99.9 percent of players that start down the softball road, her achievements stand on their own merit very nicely. This whole thing is just another flavor of the coach Vs. Dad thread theme. It starts with a specific issue with a specific coach and pretty soon devolves into who has the right of way in DDs instruction in general. I sometimes wonder if this type of argument happens nearly as frequently on the Baseball sites or is this part of being a father of daughters and our need as fathers to keep the girls under our wing more than boys.

 

[Cannonball]

JJ, believe me, it happens on the baseball sites as well and to be honest, who can blame any parent for wanting to make sure that their child is getting good, safe coaching. There are not rights and wrong and only shades of grey because we are all human and none of our circumstances are exactly the same. We do our best to share our experiences and hopefully someone benefits.

 

[JJsqueeze]

so true. And for the record, my post was an attempt at stepping back for some perspective based on my own behavior. I am too critical of coaches and was really wondering if it is because I have daughters. It is good to see that dads with sons are just as nuts. so it must just be a personality flaw...and here I was hoping for an easy out.

 

[sluggers]

I am too critical of coaches and was really wondering if it is because I have daughters

Don't feel too bad...the height of ridiculousness: My DD#3 played hoops in college. She started and was all-conference. During her time playing college ball, her team went 103-17, won a national championship (D3), and tied the NCAA D3 record for most wins in a season. My DD and I had lunch on Sunday, and we complained about the coach.

 

[cuzmail]

In my experience closed practices are the bastion of an insecure and/or inept coach.

Exactly! That is right up there with not talking to a coach about players. If you have a good point, then they should be willing to adapt. If they have a good point, then you should be willing to adapt. It should be that simple. How do you improve with a closed mind? My way or the highway mentality is a perfect defensive plan of action for someone who can not get their point across or doesn't have a point at all.

Why should a HS coach get a pass if he/she is doing something wrong just because they are a HS coach? That just doesn't make sense to me at all.

 

[cuzmail]

ThatDad, I IM'd you the details. For the record, I have never claimed my DD was as good as Pauly or Osterman.

Well Sluggers and I usually don't agree about much, but fair is fair. IIRC, he never said his DD was better then Pauly or Osterman. In fact he said she wasn't a Pauly or Osterman.

 

[Rocketech1]

Exactly! That is right up there with not talking to a coach about players. If you have a good point, then they should be willing to adapt. If they have a good point, then you should be willing to adapt. It should be that simple. How do you improve with a closed mind? My way or the highway mentality is a perfect defensive plan of action for someone who can not get their point across or doesn't have a point at all.

Why should a HS coach get a pass if he/she is doing something wrong just because they are a HS coach? That just doesn't make sense to me at all.

The reason for closed practices is that you don't want 20 sets of parents, with 20 different opinions, second guessing your every move. Do you want 20 people coming into your place of employment and telling you how to perform your job?

The coach was hired to do a job, if you don't like the way he/she coaches, your DD doesn't have to participate. She doesn't have a god given right to play school ball.

 

[nanotech14]

Well let's be honest, the first time you as a parent lay eyes on your baby. It is the only time that real LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT is true. We all want to protect those things that we hold dear. It can be hard to see your baby grow into that next season in life. Some want to hold on to those moments and want to guide them and it can be hard to sit back and watch. Your baby will always be your baby, but in order for them to grow, sometimes we have to learn to take a seat in right field and not just at the softball field.