What do I do with my son?

[68ROX]

Originally posted by Jebus
<>  ROX
There is a few years diffence with our age  

Yeah...

It was difficult, from time to time back then...

Having to wait until Wooley Mammoths, Tyranasaurus Rex', and other dinasaurs crossed Weiss Field at leisure caused many a "delay of game" calls.

We DID have a teradactyl in the scoreboard...just like on The Flintstones!


<>JEBUS!


68ROX

[Reschke]

PM sent on this one.

[indy007]

Originally posted by FrodeMk3
Am I in the wrong?  

Mmmm... well.. I kinda read that as "Should I help my child practice frequently, and then not start him so I don't look bad?" Shenanigans. If he's better than somebody else would be in that position, play him. The only thing you have to worry about is making sure everybody gets to play. Don't get so obsessed with winning at the expense of the kids that aren't so good.

Also, if you're worried about it enough to post in the O'Club... you should consider pulling out of the team and change sports. Change to something with an individual competition format. I've read it's actually better for children in the long run and builds confidence & self-esteem easier. I grew up doing both... and between constantly having to cover for the weak players, and doing 1 vs 1 competition where I'm only covering for myself... well it's a pretty easy choice.

[Traveler]

Here's a thought, get rid of the adults, take the ball and the kids to a open field and let them play, they will figer it out.

[crockett]

You have to do what's right for the team, but you can't forget he's "your" son. So what if he's not the best kid for the position or if another kid isn't the best one for another position. They are all kids and having fun should be the top priority.

It's not NFL or high school football. They aren't there to get a big paycheck or hope to get a collage scholarship.. They are there to have fun, so think of that and coach them the best you can but make sure they are having fun.

Being taught, that not everyone can be the best but as long as you give it your best shot. Well that will do much for for them, than winning some meaningless football game for bragging rights.

I played football and soccer when I was a kid about that age. I was probably the smallest kid on our football team in elementary school. You know what I remember?

I sure as hell don't remember if we ever won any games, what i remember was being up against a guy that seemed to be twice my size. He knocked me over the first time .. knocked me flat on my butt. I got up and the next time he knocked me on my butt again. LoL the third time I moved out of the way..

[ozrocker]

Try alternating starters, Play your son for specific rotations, Try him in for run/pass play situations, depending on which he's better at. By "not" playing him, he'll lose confidence in himself, and maybe your Father/ Son relationship. On the other hand there, the examples above should be viable options of being fair as well as being the Father and wanting your Son to get his chance. Who knows, with some playing time, he might become an outstanding player. If he does not play, you will never get the chance to find out.  Advise him, don't criticize him. Nothing a kid hates more than being lectured. Boost his confidence without overdoing it. Hopefully things will work out. Good Luck, let us know.
                                                                      Oz

[RedTop]

My father coached me. He'd sit me down in a minute if I wasn't doinig what he thought I should be. HE played the best players in the spots he thought they should be in and we had a great team in Jr. Football.

HE told me from the outset...."I'm playing the best players that will do the best for the team....if your one of them youll start....if not you wont so its up to you to earn the spot." I didn't forget that and havent.

Away from the field I got extra coaching sure...but he was about the team.

Bottom line is...if your son can start then start him...but let him know youll bench him if ya have to.

[FrodeMk3]

Once again, fellas, thanks for all of your input, to you all.

In 2 weeks, we'll start full-contact practices, when they have all of they're gear. I'll have to make some re-evaluations of the team, when I see what happens when they start hitting.

[lasersailor184]

Originally posted by FrodeMk3
Now, it's not terribly serious like he's on drugs, or got his girlfriend pregnant(He's only 8 anyway!) but here's my dilemma:

I am a coach on his Jr. league football team. My son is fairly well sized for his age, He's not the fastest kid on the team, either. Since I handle the defence and the lineman, I have been choosing the starting spots for those positions. Now, I'm not the only parent that's coaching (2 others, and 1 uncle.) My dilemma is this: I don't want to start my own son, irregardless of his ability, because in the past, I've seen other coaches play their own children, over others that were much more suited, simply because they thought more of they're own kids than what they actually were.

Am I in the wrong? My son Brady enjoys football, They get they're pads, helmets and other gear next week. I don't want the fact that he's not starting to be a letdown. However, The other coaches have been plenty quick to play their own kids(The one that's starting QB is atrocious, compared to 2 or 3 others), But I've tried to balance the diplomacy between parents and coaches by NOT starting my own boy.

What do I do? I know I'm being unfair to Brady. But if I give him a starting spot, I'm an instant Prima-Donna. He's a good enough Lineman, either O or D. Should I wait and see what happens when Full-gear practices start up, and see who man's up, or who withers on the vine?

I've had a lotta anxiety about this for the last 2-3 months of pre-season practices now. Hopefully, he'll hit hard enough to justify anything I do with him.

The solution?  Have open and visible tryouts or playoffs based off the positions.  That way anyone can see the hierarchy or the skill spread of those playing under your command.  

Play all the kids based off of how they perform at these mini-tryouts.  Then tell those that missed getting first line that this is their chance to work their butts off to get in.  Allow open challenges.  At any time, a second liner can challenge their way up.  This keeps everyone on their toes, and encourages progressing.

[tedrbr]

Originally posted by john9001
i'm going to sound really radical here, 8 yr olds don't need coaches to play football, all they need is a football and a open field, they will pick their own teams and a day after the "game" they won't remember who won, just that they had fun.

Eight years old?  I've got to agree with the above then.
At that age, all of the kids should be getting play time.  Teamwork, fundamentals, and sportsmanship (between team mates as well as  toward their opponents) should all come right after having fun.  Winning is much further down the list.

[Charon]

Back then Deerfield was either #1 or #2 for so many years running

Hey ROX. I played for Glenbrook North 79-83 and Deerfield and New Trier were still the dominant teams in the league. What powerhouses. The last team I played against in High School was was Waukegan West, I believe

Charon

[FrodeMk3]

I didn't want to start a new thread on this, and this is really an update on what's happening, anyway, so...

We had our first scrimmage in full gear yesterday. All of the kids played, and it gave me a chance to evaluate them all based on what I observed.

I played my boy on the defensive line, at Left Defensive end. He did a good job; Really, all of the kids on defense did a good job. What my quandery is now, is why my O line could not do diddly-squat. I could'nt get them to block at all. Everyone is crying about how they'd rather play defense. Anyone have any suggestions' as to how I can motivate my Offensive line? I really need them to perform.

[culero]

When I started playing organized football, I was graded like your son - best suited to hand-on-ground pass rusher, good tackler. Our QB hated me because nobody could block me, so damn near every time he dropped back in practice I nailed him good (motivated by the DEF coach's "GOOD HIT MYERS, WTG!" )

Thing is, in games where our offensive line was leaking, the head coach would also play me at O tackle. His theory was that my rushing instincts would let me anticipate well, and my mean streak would allow me to intimidate. The result was that against the better competition, the only plays I didn't play were special teams (until my second year, when I won the place kicker slot).

Point is, let all the kids play as much as possible, think outside the box when you need to in order to allow their team to be competitive. At that age, you need full participation and balance, just don't forget that kids like to feel good and nothing does that like a W or at least staying real close. Make it up to the second string by playing them a lot in garbage time, they will be happy with the chance to improve through experience without costing their mates the W.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by john9001
i'm going to sound really radical here, 8 yr olds don't need coaches to play football, all they need is a football and a open field, they will pick their own teams and a day after the "game" they won't remember who won, just that they had fun.

Amen

[68ROX]

Originally posted by Charon
Hey ROX. I played for Glenbrook North 79-83 and Deerfield and New Trier were still the dominant teams in the league. What powerhouses. The last team I played against in High School was was Waukegan West, I believe

Charon

Charon!!  <>

Deerfield was THE schnitniz in the 70's in Illinois.  We never beat them, and the bus ride home after the game was never a cheerful event.

<> To Glenbrook North!  I remember playing them...home and away...always a good scrap!

Our center, Paul Adams was the nephew of the Deerfield coach.  He could have easily "moved" and played for Deerfield, but didn't.

In the days of the "last of the Baby Boomers", high schools were bulging at the seams in the Central Suburban League...and "Easts, Wests, Norths & Souths" were all over.  Today, Waukegan East (a old, built before WWI) school is now closed, and my school (Waukegan West) is now just plain Waukegan Township High again.

Waukegan, for over 60 years, was THE wrestling kingdom in the state, boasting the most titles and state champions.  I am proud to say I wrestled for Waukegan West, with 2 trips to the State finals.

Today, the demographics of the city have changed, and the wrestling program (and other athletic programs) have gone by the wayside.

Things change, I guess.

68ROX