Kid's sports - The Sequel

[Cicero]

Heh. Are they jealous much?

[lookout123]

jealous? maybe, but probably just frustrated, embarrassed, and angry at the way things were handled. No one (except coaches with inferiority issues) want to see a team completely and totally played off the field like that. It isn't good for the winning or losing team. It leads young players who just got crushed to say "this game sucks" and walk away.

Even as an adult, I've played tournaments that are way above my skill level and it can be disheartening to say the least. Now insert a 6 or 7 year old's developing self image into the mix. Ouch.

The lady was 220% wrong for even speaking to LL, but I can appreciate her anger. D should have coached the game differently to make sure it didn't get out of hand.

***
As I was typing I got a phone call from the club director and he completely understands what happened out there. He had a couple parents complain and I'm relieved to hear that he defused the situation a bit. Apparently he overheard LL, C, C, and B on the field make an agreement amongst themselves that they weren't going to score anymore unless they used their left foot. So I'm glad to hear that even if the 20 something fill in coach doesn't get it, my 6 and 7 year old players understand the concept of sportsmanship. They understand that the game can be played with respect for the other team.

[LabRat]

My daughter will have her first game this coming Sat. If it's anything like practice, it'll be a hoot. When the kids are waiting in line for their turn to do a drill, the ones whove done gymnastics are doing cartwheels and summersaults, others are dancing, occasionally someone will get bent out of shape and start to cry because someone used her ball...

BTW, ALL the balls are pink, save our daughters (it's red and white).

I think we are in a much different league than you . . .

[LabRat]

Originally Posted by lookout123

. . . even if the 20 something fill in coach doesn't get it, my 6 and 7 year old players understand the concept of sportsmanship. They understand that the game can be played with respect for the other team.

And that sir, is why you are an outstanding couch, regardless of your record.

[lookout123]

I think we are in a much different league than you . . .

They all start the same. Enjoy it. When LL started playing U6 (just before his 4th birthday) most of the kids couldn't even look at the ball without crying or falling over. Just make sure you are always in a league that is consistent with her desire and focus. If your coach looks like they don't have a clue, move teams next season. Or better yet, go help. You don't have to know anything about the game to help wrangle the kids. As a coach, I will say that was the biggest difference between me and the others - I always enlisted 1 or 2 parents to help keep the kids in line so I could keep ALL the kids busy ALL the time. Bored kids don't like the game much.

When LL started he played defense ONLY because he just didn't get what was supposed to happen next. He could run fast and kick hard, and loved being out there, but the moving it towards the goal part... not so much. 3 years later and pound for pound the kid is far more skilled than I could ever be.

[lookout123]

Oh, one other thing. This will sound stupid but I can't stress it enough. Shoes DO matter. Soccer shoes don't have to be expensive and they shouldn't be at this age level, but having proper shoes will help. The shaping of the toe box will help in learning how to dribble, pass, and shoot. wearing a pair of sketchers just makes learning new skills that much harder.

If your soccer league doesn't have a passback program(donation/trade) start one. When the kids outgrow their shoes and balls, turn them in so another kid who might not be able to afford it can use it.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by lookout123

jealous? maybe, but probably just frustrated, embarrassed, and angry at the way things were handled. No one (except coaches with inferiority issues) want to see a team completely and totally played off the field like that. It isn't good for the winning or losing team. It leads young players who just got crushed to say "this game sucks" and walk away.

Even as an adult, I've played tournaments that are way above my skill level and it can be disheartening to say the least. Now insert a 6 or 7 year old's developing self image into the mix. Ouch.

No, I wasn't talking about just that isolated incident....Overall it seems like some of the parents and coaches need to take "Good Sportsmanship 101".


When I get creamed I start taking notes. May be unfair circumstances, but I think it's useful sometimes. Of course I am an opportunist, who will find a way to win in the middle of failing. Oh no..I didn't lose, because you just showed me how to do it better. I win Thanks for the lesson have a nice day.

I wonder what you think about the philosophy- the only way to be a better player is to play against better players than you?

You are a great coach!! I just want people to be as fair to you and your son, as you are to them.

[lookout123]

I wonder what you think about the philosophy- the only way to be a better player is to play against better players than you?

It's half true. The problem is that some parents/coaches/players ONLY play with people better than them so they're always under pressure operating at the edge of their abilities. I disagree with that and that is why LL still plays in the rec league at his own age group. He has to bust his butt and use every ounce of skill he has at his competitive team so he doesn't have much chance to experiment and try new techniques and moves there. When he plays rec league he has more time on the ball to think and plan so he can try new things without the point for point pressure found in the higher skill levels. That and I want him to have fun with kids that don't live/eat/breathe soccer like he does. competitive soccer can be a pretty inbred fishbowl.

I just want people to be as fair to you and your son, as you are to them.

Thanks. That's unlikely, but it's ok. One of the most important things he can learn is that life isn't fair so you have to learn how to beat people using their own rules.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by lookout123

snip~ If your coach looks like they don't have a clue, move teams next season. Or better yet, go help. ~snip

Even better, print this thread for them.

[Cicero]

Originally Posted by lookout123

One of the most important things he can learn is that life isn't fair so you have to learn how to beat people using their own rules.

Hopefully this method doesn't work against you when he becomes a teenager.

I don't know anything about having kids so I'm just going to hang out in these threads and try to learn something from (live vicariously through) you guys.

[lookout123]

Hopefully this method doesn't work against you when he becomes a teenager.

Actually I'm hoping it's a lesson he carries into his teen years. He can win even when forced to play by my rules, if he focuses on the challenge and not the unfairness (perceived or real) of life around him.

I'll let you know how that works in about 15 years.

[lookout123]

Saturday the kids faced the remnants of my old team which is now coached by a hyper competitive angry man, who is blatantly juicing but refuses to buy clothes that will fit his new bloated physique. It makes for an entertaining sight.

The guy is bitter that HE hasn't achieved the same success with that team that my kids did when I was there. He doesn't seem to get it that it comes down to what you teach them. His son is a good solid player. His best friend's son is an awesome little left footer who needs some more objective coaching. The coach's only training is for everyone on the team to get the ball, pass it to his son or the left footer to shoot. That's it. Those are the only two who he pushes forward. Evaaar. Oh yeah, he doesn't want to have two games and two practices each week so he has also put his just turned five year old on the team. (did I mention that this is the same guy who complained about my unfair advantage with field time?)

Lil Lookout had already played his club game and his allergies were acting up so I started him in the goal with one strong and one weak defender in front of him. My two weakest players in midfield and two tall but slower kids up front. My goal was to get the other team out in front of us to make for a more entertaining game. Unfortunately, 30 seconds into the game the other coach's younger son ran straight into one of my taller girls and they both fell. No harm, no foul, they both got up but from that point on the coach screamed at the ref about the foul he missed. The ref turned to talk to him and missed calling a real foul. That set the coach off even more. It snowballed from there. The ref was making bad calls in both directions, more accurately he wasn't making any calls - but my kids keep playing unless they hear a whistle. His kids get all agitated when he yells. The ref started coming over to me and saying "I know I just missed something but what should I do next time" Uh for starters don't admit that to anyone but me, the other guy'll eat you alive. For the rest of the game anytime someone fell he'd look at me for guidance. Not fun. At one point after I moved Lil Lookout from goal to midfield he deflectd a ball out of bounds and the ref gave him the ball to play in. LL looked at me with the big WTF? face so I told him to turn possession over to their keeper. I had my kids turn possession over 3 times trying to appease the other coach but he just got worse so I decided to just let it go.

From that point on I didn't direct my kids at all, I just subbed them in and out and told them what position to play. I decided that if the coach can't stop screaming long enough to coach his kids enough to compete with an undirected team that was his problem, not mine. I didn't say a word to a player on the field from the 15th minute on. I played with one forward and 3 mids (diamond shape) and 2 defenders for half the game. The coach got mad that Lil Lookout scored a few and yelled at his keeper. OK, LL was hitting the top corners of the net - how is a 7 year old supposed to levitate and block those? He assigned two of his players to shut LL down in midfield so LL would get the ball and wait til they closed in on him and pass to his now open teammates who would score. Then the coach lost all brainpower and put all three of his best players on LL with the sole instruction being to make sure he didn't touch the ball. That left my other players free to dribble and pass at will. Even so, LL got mad after he was knocked down for the umpteenth time and dribbled through all three of them to score. The final score was 17-1. Every player on my team scored. Lil Lookout had 5, C -3, C, -2 and B-2 and they were limited to left foot shots, long distance shots, or assists for the second half. The club director stormed up to me and let me know that parents had complained about my team running up the score. I told him that he could direct them all to me and I'd be happy to explain what happened and even provide them with a video of what was happening on our side of the field. Not one of them approached me and he didn't say another word about it. Seriously when a bunch of 6 and 7 year olds without direction can beat your coached team, you've got bigger problems than the final score.

Of course, while the other coach was screaming and trying to file a complaint against the ref his kids and my kids were playing keepaway on the field, laughing and having a grand old time.

Idiot.

[BigV]

The ref started coming over to me and saying "I know I just missed something but what should I do next time" Uh for starters don't admit that to anyone but me, the other guy'll eat you alive.

Good grief, that's the most tragically funny thing I've heard in a month of Sundays.

Idiot.

You, sir, have a Flair for Understatement.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by lookout123

...a hyper competitive angry man, who is blatantly juicing but refuses to buy clothes that will fit his new bloated physique.
...

He should take fashion tips from Sergio "The Myth" Oliva. Note the special shirt mods to allow for 20½" arms.

[lookout123]

Also posted in What's making you happy today?

Lil Lookout had had tryouts for the club team outdoor season. 321 kids showed up. All 321 have to go back for the second half of tryouts in two weeks. It will be 2 hours of scrimmages to see the kids in game situations. Lil Lookout did pretty well from my POV in the stands, but you never know.

Oh wait, I do know. The club team trainer found me during a break and told me his only problem with Lil Lookout is whether to use him as a solitary striker and sometime winger for the A team, or to make him the captain of the B team for the next age group up and build the squad around his strengths.

The club owner found me later and apologized to me for an argument we had more than a year ago. He demanded then that he be allowed to train Lil Lookout in private sessions so that his potential isn't wasted by improper coaching that I would surely give him. He announced last night that LL has the best ball control of the entire group and the second best shot. "Lookout, you have done an outstanding job training him. Would you be interested in being one of the official club trainers?" No thanks for the training position, but thanks for the compliment.

I don't have to tell him that LL is just a natural do I? Proud Papa.