Picking the Right Team
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Best if you can see how the run a practice and how they behave in games. They all have their flaws, the good ones know it and can get/accept help.
Based on our recent string, I'd value maturity over anything else, though I would have taken it for granted a few years ago.
Based on our recent string, I'd value maturity over anything else, though I would have taken it for granted a few years ago.
Age is not a reliable indicator of maturity.
Your first post in this thread was your best one yet.
The one above is way off.
Using past playing experience is a horrible factor to use (for head coach). In fact, I'd be inclined to shy away from ex. female players. There are some good ones but generally speaking they burn out before they have any clue as to what they're doing as a coach. Then they have other priorities in this time of their life than coaching.
I think a more applicable term than maturity is....experience. It's not common to find an experienced coach that isn't at least....better than average. If you can find an experienced (at least 5+ years although that is low) past player, go for it, but there aren't that many.
Edited to add: I haven't seen it mentioned but something I think helps is if the the coach has children (been a parent). Not necessarily on the team but they have kids. I know how you view the world changes once you have children. They're able to better relate to what the parent is feeling and manage the team as such. Of course, this is a generalization....but.
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I that were a desirable trait then those are the folks who would be getting hired today, but that is hardly the case. After the advent of Title IX the model of the female ex-player went into immediate decline. Like it or not the top coaches in the game are middle aged men.
There is an 18 team in my area that the coaches are about 25, now the talent on the team is great, but more than 1 time the coaches have been partying it up in the hotels... and I mean getting stumbling drunk where the players have to take them back to their room.
No thanks I'll stay away from that
How was the coach an idiot? That could shape the advice.
Agree with most of what you say, and experience teaches the teachable, but to me these are separate traits. I've seen seasoned 5-15y veteran coaches who have the maturity of an 8yo.
Just wanted to clarify my own position, not to harp on it.
You have to know your daughter. For mine, the personality of the coaches is critical. We watched her new team play, went to a practice, played as a guest player in a tournament. You need to know what you want. Then go for a test-drive if possible.
This is what we/she did. Season started good but by the 4th tournament a different coach appeared that was obsessed with winning. My DD played so playing time not an issue. This is the coach where nothing good enough unless they won the game. Even a close game against a top level team. I feel like it's just luck of the draw but was sure hoping someone knew something I didn't.
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