This week
in the second part of my series on High School Tryouts, I will focus on the
comments often heard from parents or players when they have failed to make the
team. These comments vary widely. Some are legitimate and some are rumor or
perception. Nonetheless, it is obviously
the perception of the person offended that they should have made the team. In our society today, it is much less common
for a person to look at himself or herself first for a reason for failure. It is much easier to blame someone else, in
this case……the coach who cut them. Let’s
look at some of these comments. Then we
can see if there is a better path we can take.
“The coach
put his/her favorites on the team.”
This
comment is quite common and may often be true.
But that doesn’t always mean that the coach was wrong. Every coach has to decide which players he or
she wants on the team. And while it is
largely a talent issue there are other factors involved. Your child’s personality may come into
play. Some players are loud and proud,
others are quiet and timid, and there’s a whole range in between. Just like anywhere else in society, the coach
is more likely to notice the loud and proud.
My daughter was usually pretty quiet when trying out for a new travel team. I’m sure that she was overlooked a
few times because she would not come off as a potential impact player. Once she was on a team she usually received
positive comments from the coaches as to her effort and attitude. And once she got to know the team and felt
accepted, she usually wasn’t so quiet.
Even though I’m her Dad, I would say she would rarely be the first
person to impress someone in a group tryout.
At the same
time, keep in mind an old saying “It’s not what you know but who you
know.” Some of the players trying out
may have had a relationship with the coach previously. Perhaps they attended a camp or clinic ran by
the coach. Maybe the coach knew a lower
level or travel coach that the player played for. Almost everyone feels more comfortable
working with someone they know where there is a known quantity to deal
with. This can especially be true when a
coach has to pick a limited number of players out of a large group.
“They kept
other players that were not as good as my kid.”
Again, this often may be true. But it can also be your perspective,
especially if you are new to the sport and may not understand the advanced
skills and issues. Again, personality
may be involved. Or it is possible that
while your son or daughter is very talented they may have mechanical flaws in
their game that a coach may choose not to deal with. For example, I have heard some high school
coaches say that they will not take a player who throws sidearm. Throwing sidearm can cause more errors and
also lead to injuries in the arm and shoulder.
There are some players who have thrown sidearm for many years and may be
very good. Some coaches just choose not
to go there. This is a habit that is
difficult if not impossible to break.
You can try to change your player or you can perhaps consider another
team.
There are
also times where you may be exactly right in your assessment of the
situation. The coach may be wrong. He or she may have taken players on their
team that are not as good of an athlete as your son or daughter. You might have your child try to talk to the
coach. But there isn’t a lot you can do
otherwise. It is their team and they
have a right to take the players they want on the team. I suggest that you have your player try out
again next year. Maybe then the coach will
see your child’s ability and perhaps realize he or she made a mistake in taking
some players that didn’t pan out. Or
not. But if you go around to other
parents complaining about not making the team, you have probably just
reinforced the coach’s decision not to take your son or daughter.
“The coach
only takes travel ball players, that’s not fair.”
Perhaps
not, but again that is there decision.
It is quite common to see this in high school sports such as softball,
volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
There are a few different levels of this guideline. Some
coaches want to have travel or club players on their team. Who wouldn’t?
These players have stated by their activity that they want to be a
better player. As a club or travel
player they are playing mostly year round.
And in most cases are receiving better coaching, more advanced coaching
to be more precise. A high school coach
only has a limited amount of time to practice with the team. Travel and club teams tend to have three and
four hour (and sometimes longer) practices at a more intense level. A travel or club player is generally a better
player. It’s not a guarantee but it is
the general rule.
Some
coaches will not only seek or require that you do travel or club ball, but will
quietly require that you play on certain
teams, or even their own team. Is
this wrong? I think it may be extreme,
especially if they won’t even consider a non-travel player who may be an
excellent athlete. But again….it is their
team. They get to set the guidelines. Many times these guidelines might be what other
parents or a booster club has placed on them.
This is especially true at high profile programs where they have a
reputation for being a strong athletic school.
I have been turned down for positions at a high school because they have
a favorite travel coach or someone connected to the administration or booster
club. See, it happens to coaches too.
I could go
on with several more comments but I would prefer to conclude this blog with
some suggestions that may improve your child’s chances to make the team,
perhaps even after they’ve been cut.
Before you
start whining to the whole world about how your son or daughter got a raw
deal, consider these alternatives:
1.
Have your son or daughter ask the coach for a
private conversation. Then they can ask
the coach (if the coach hasn’t explained it already) why they did not make the
cut AND what can they do to improve their chances. If there are a large number of players trying
out coaches don’t always have time to talk to each one. They will post cuts on the locker room wall. If your son or daughter takes the initiative
they may gain the coach’s respect and maybe even a second look.
2.
Plan ahead.
Don’t assume because your child was a star at the local rec league that
they have the skills to make the team at your high school. Just like looking for a job, do your
homework. Try to find out what the coach
is looking for. See if the coach offers
summer camps and clinics. If you can
afford to, have your player take some private lessons from a respected coach
and if possible try to join a travel or club team.
3.
Help educate your child (and perhaps yourself)
about the differences between rec ball and travel ball. Rec leagues vary. Some may be very good but most by nature are
not geared to be as competitive as travel or club ball.
4.
Finally, teach your child to take responsibility
for its own success. It is up to them to
get in better condition, increase strength or skills, and to learn more about
their sport. It is not the coach’s responsibility;
their job is to coach the talent they have on their team. It is not your responsibility to make your child
a success. You cannot do that. Your responsibility is to provide the
opportunity, guidance, and resources to help your child reach their goals. If they are trying to reach your goals they
will not do as well. I can almost
guarantee it.
That’s all for today.
I hope this helps. Next week I
will discuss coaching differences. I
will share how I coach my teams and share how some other coaches run their
programs.
Teach first, and win later.
Coach Mike.
I love to get your feedback and share your experiences. You can comment here or on my web site at www.yourkidsandsports.com. Also visit www.kidznsports.com for more sport specific information and links.
