“I’m so unhappy with my players’ varying levels of commitment. I have some kids who come to every minute of every practice. Then I have other kids who miss practices, are late, want to leave early, etc. I’m not happy with this and I just have to do something.”
There are so many factors here.
Some people would advise the troubled coach in this manner: "You have to turn this program into what you want it to be. DO IT NOW!” Others will say, "You want the girls to have fun? Then let them do what they're comfortable with."
Well, my philosophy is this: "My #1 job as a coach is to protect my team."
If you are still in season or if your season is just about to start...........well, it is too late to make drastic changes. Coaches: Do not do it! The parents will "go off"! If you lead the parents to believe for the past 9 months that their children would play under one set of rules, and then those rules are changed, you are in for a riot. Moreover, if I were the parent, I would be going off too! Three weeks into a school season, I may have already paid for my child to maintain her dance lessons & stay on her travel soccer.......then the school coach tells me that he's changing his rules!?!?! I do not think so.
However, here is an idea! Find out what the girls want and you can tell them what you prefer. They are much more likely to agree to a compromise! When I am the new coach, I will say to the team, "If you guys want to be good, then we can be good. Nevertheless, it will take some sacrifice from us all. However, if you people are OK with losing to teams that are not as good as we are, then that is your decision. I cannot MAKE you want to be better. You have to want it. Moreover, the way we are going now, isn’t the way." So find out from them. If the team members say, "No we want to be GOOD!", then your response will be, "OK, then this is what we can do. Here are my suggestions."
Do not get me wrong. I do not coach the way my players tell me. However, if I make serious rule changes in-season, that is not in the best interests of "my team.” Kids will quit. Parents will riot. Ha-ha. I will not be coaching there next year b/c I "can't handle kids and parents.” And who has to blame...me. My lack of foresight is what made the pot hot. In addition, my poor reaction made it boil over.
Hey, there is no need to ask the parents what they want..........we already know what most parents want..........they want it the way they already have it. If their daughter is one of the committed ones, the parents will want everyone to be that way, and they are upset with the non-committed receiving playing time ahead of their child. However, if their daughter wants to miss one practice a week, then they want practices to be voluntary for everyone and will then want the "best" players to play, regardless of their attendance at practice.
Now, on the other hand, if you're going to coach the same team again next year, then you have 9 months to:
- put together a set of team rules that you're happier with;
- show these rules to your principal & A.D. You must have their support;
- speak to all your returning players about the upcoming changes;
- speak to all the parents about the upcoming changes;
So, if you are in season, finish the season with the rules you started. If you are done with your season, lay the groundwork for the changes you want to make. You CAN use those nine off months to ensure players know next year's changes well in advance & implemented smoothly.
