Open letter to coaches

[Armchair Steve]

I have questions for the district coaches out there; not the armchair sportsmen. I’m curious about some strategies that I have witnessed over and over again. I would like to understand the reasons for some of these game plans.

I’ve played sports most of my life (high school, college, city sponsored leagues, etc.) and recently I’ve noticed some coaches have been substituting players more often than I would expect. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for giving all players the opportunity to play but when I see a coach substituting players after they’ve been in for just a few minutes I can’t see how the coach can expect the players to get into any type of rhythm with their teammates. When they get started they get pulled out and when they do finally go back in they are cold and usually with a different group of teammates.

Also, I’ve seen that when a player makes one mistake they get pulled out so the coach can talk to them and then they end up sitting out, not given the opportunity to go back in and redeem themselves. It seems that it would be more beneficial to call a time out, discuss the issue with the team and let them go back out and try again. Wouldn’t it be better to let the kids play 4-5 minutes before switching them out? Now if someone is continually making mistakes that’s different, but not after one mistake.

I’ve also seen some coaches pull out players just as they get hot to give them a rest. It seems to me that if a player has a good rhythm they should stay in until it stops. Again, I’m all for letting everyone play but don’t penalize someone that’s doing good.

I don’t want to tell coaches how to coach but this method is confusing to me and it appears to confuse the players. They are afraid of making a mistake because they’ll get pulled out. How can you learn from your mistakes if you don’t get the opportunity to try again? Players should be given the opportunity of getting into a rhythm and proving themselves.

[Kate]

Armchair Steve is right! I for one would be curious as to the explanation regarding this game plan. I’ve not only experienced the same scenario with my son but I also witnessed this coaching style during preseason games as well as the Round Ball Classic. In my son’s case, he had skill, outstanding grades and a great attitude. However, the coaches always relied on the players with skill, not so good grades and bad attitudes. My son decided since he was not one of the chosen and no amount of hard work and training changed the coach’s perception; he finished the season and decided he was done with his athletic endeavors of two years.

A few friends of mine have kids who participate in varsity sports in McKinney and invited me to attend the games at North during the Round Ball Classic tournaments. Thinking what I had seen previously was more of a practice style of coaching during preseason, I figured things would be different during the tournament or at tonight's opener. I was stumped by the frequent player changes some of the girls varsity coaches made during the tournament. It seemed like as soon as the girls would get going or have a good round of offense and/or defense, the coach would sub in 3-5 players. Most players never spent more than a minute or two on the court. How is this good for a team, any team? Think about it, you have five girls on the floor, they are working together, getting their game on and BAM, coach swaps out a few players. Now you have the new group trying to get into the swing the last group had and the two or three that remained on the court have to adjust for the subs. Only to again get their bearings, score some points, defend against the opposing team and be yanked again. Unfortunately this coaching style was evident during tonight's opener as well.

In all the games I have attended, there were some chosen few who regardless of whether they were too aggressive, caused team or personal fouls or made major mistakes, remained in the game, while others were repeatedly yanked for lesser offenses. It was interesting to watch the difference in coaching styles at the tournament, how the players responded to this style and the end result. For the teams that subbed less, they won their games most of the time, while the teams that subbed too frequently lost most of their games. If tonight’s opener is any indication, maybe this coaching style needs to be reconsidered.

Let’s face it if a player has made it to varsity then they obviously have some skills. All players should get a fair amount of play time but there must be a better system than making changes every minute – literally.

So how about it coaches?

[Bobette]

Everyone that knows me can tell you I'll be the first to admit I don't know much about basketball even though I've been going to games for about 5 years now. But I have seen what you guys are talking about, I just thought all coaches do things that way.

Your comments make sense, but wouldn't leaving the players in too long cause them to tire more quickly? Don't they need the breaks to catch their breath? Nevermind, that would be me!

That's my two cents which probably isn't worth much. Ask me about the refs, I could complain about them all day long! :cool:

[coaches ally]

All of you are correct in your observation of how playing time has changed over the years. The main difference that you fail to notice is that back in the day, our parents wouldn't dream of questioning the coaches and if you did you were told to shut up sit in the stands and root for the team. But today we have decided to raise trophy children that expect to get a equal playing time, a ninth place ribbon and they know that mom and dad will get them what they want. The best advice I can give is to look in the mirror and consider what you could change about your contribution to the millenial generation, we are not doing these kids any favors. Try being an employer that has to hire these privledged trophy kids, you wont be able to call their boss when they get benched.

[Bobette]

CA - I've also seen that type of behavior over the years in young teams. I agree with you on the trophy mentality. The "everyone gets a trophy" mentality started in the 80's and got the graduation ceremonies for kids 5 and up started before they hit high school. The writer, Kate, mentions varsity sports, I don't think Armchair said either way. I don't think I've seen the "trophy attitude" at the JV or varsity level so much as in sports outside of the school district.

[coaches ally]

Remember, Kids athletics at all ages is probably the most rewarding, educating and real life experience our kids are exposed to today. The only thing that can screw it up is usually the parents.

[Bobette]

CA - Funny story or sad story. My daughter was competing in a Tae Kwon Do tournament several years ago. There was a vendor there selling medals and even worse, there were parents buying them.

You are right about sports benefiting the kids. These kids are the most hard working, ambitious and goal oriented kids I've had the pleasure to know. But you know, sports alone didn't get them there, the parents had something to do with that too. So don't knock all of the parents.

[mckinneygal]

Food for thought - I've never met a coach yet who made the choices they did in order to lose a game.

I have been an athlete - high school, college, and still today - and my kids are athletes as well. I have come to the conclusion that I can never really know what the coaches perspective is, especially because I don't know the game plan.