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Coaching Youth Basketball (1 Viewer)

Got sucked into coaching one of my kids' teams this year. I've been playing basketball since I could walk but I'm realizing I have no idea how to teach it. There are some good tips on the first page of this thread - a belated thank you to those posters from a couple of years ago.
Coaching is way different than playing. A good player doesn't make a good coach and vice versa.

I had no idea how much I would enjoy coaching. I thought it was a good chance to spend time with my son in more direct sporting environment. I fell in love with it.

For me, my perspective going in was that I was going to take it seriously. Not for me but for the kids. I looked back on my basketball career as a kid and though I had no idea then saw how my development was stunted by well meaning but inadequate coaching. So, I invested and continue to a lot of time and energy in making sure I am providing these kids development in basketball and then using it to teach life lessons so hopefully I impact their loves beyond basketball.

What age group? I am happy to assist in any way I can.
That's awfully kind, thanks. It's 10-11 year olds. I'm just looking at a couple online resources for practice drills and some basic plays. One of the dads wants to install a motion offense because he thinks it's important for his kid's development, but I think that's nuts at this age. If we can play help defense, push the pace, move without the ball, and maybe run 1-2 plays once in awhile, that seems good enough for me.
I am coaching a 6th grade team right now so basically 11-12 and a 3rd grade team. I am going to actually agree with the other coach here about a motion offense. I also would strongly suggest M2M defense. I will explain why but the short of it is- these are far superior to developing basketball skills than set plays and zone defenses. I installed a motion offense starting in 4th, in 4th I went with a 5 out. In 6th, I changed it to 4 out 1 in and was based off of the DDM mostly because the roster changed and I had a big man that I wanted to get involved low on. For 3rd grade, I literally just have them do a Give and Go, Screen, and Pick and Roll as the 'plays' on offense but I immediately start them on M2M.

For offense, motion is a great way to help them understand the game as it is and will be played in the future. Pretty much every motion offense (I can't really think of one that this would not be true of) is going to have them understand spacing, positioning, filling, off ball movement, fluidity, and the importance of passing. Any player that is able to understand these is going to be able to function in any offense that may end up playing down the line. If you have a couple of set plays, what they are learning is memorizing their responsibilities in the set play. I liken it to education and the difference between helping someone develop the ability to thinking critically on their own versus regurgitating a set of facts or stats or whatever it is that they will learn for a test and then forget later after it is no longer in use. The same here, motion teaches them the offensive game and allows them to be able to think through it on their own while a set play is the memorizing of what they are required to memorize and then will forget it as they move on.

On defense, you can not nudge me off of M2M for youth. It is a similar concept as learning a motion offense as it is M2M. If you teach M2M then the players can easily transition to a zone or junk defense in later years because they then know all the important aspects of defense such as on ball defense, denial, help defense, positioning, communication, closeouts, etc. and going to zone they can pick up 'this is my area of responsibility' and inject everything they learned in M2M. Now going from zone to learning M2M, that is a big learning curve. I am going through it right now with most of my team having not been on my previous teams and they played all zone.

Both are HARDER to teach at these age levels but it is in the long term interest of their basketball development to go with a motion and M2M. My 4 out 1 in is largely based on the DDM but it is not a pure DDM. Right now, the only offense we have is our motion offense. I did the same last year and then later as the season progressed, we added some set plays (mostly to get them with some screens as my DDM doesn't have screens as a real DDM lacks that to begin with). For M2M, in both 4th and 5th grade, we lost our first games and then later won the league championship. One of the key reasons we lost those first games was struggling to play good M2M with proper help defense and then they got it down and what happened was it was a competitive advantage for us. In our leagues, where at these levels almost all teams play a zone or junk defense, the offenses were just not used to being pressured at half and everyone in denial. They were so use to maybe one player pressuring up top in a box and 1 which was the most common junk defense utilized or the teams being in a zone.

Pushing the ball down court is awesome and great for development. Coaching them on learning when to push, the urgency needed and when to pull up and set up your offense is crucial though. Also, make sure they get a good understanding of filing the lanes, speed (passing is faster than running), urgency, and quick decision making. Also, along those same lines is another flaw in running zone.... if you are a good fast break team at these ages, you can slash up teams as the players are so set on getting to their assigned area that they often aren't paying attention to the ball like they should and you can attack the basket. If you practice a lot of fast breaks then you also are practicing transition defense which is helpful again.

A couple of other 'suggestions':

I give my teams a choice every year: I can either coach you where we all have a ton of fun and then hope we win some games or I can coach you hard and push you and help you guys do everything you can to get better so we win as many games as we can and have fun while we win. I go into detail of what that means and my expectations of them if they choose to work hard and win. 80% of ALL boys will pick the work hard and those that may not be up to it will be peer pressured into agreeing as I tell them it has to be a team decision. That gets their buy in. I am very hard on my teams but my boys love it. Boys that were not on my teams before wanted to be on my team, those who were and were moved wished they were still on my team, boys told me this year that they were happy they were on my team because they knew I would push them and make them better. Boys crave that but the key to unlock it is their buy in. As one boy last year told my daughter when she said "Yea but isn't he really hard on you guys?" and the answer was "Yes, but that is what we told him what we wanted."

Plan out your practices ahead of time. It really helps and you can control the flow of the practice. Of course, if need be, you can always change on the fly. (our first practice from this team our weave was so bad that I had to drop my plans and focus on getting them to pass well)

One thing that I do every practice and believe it or not the kids love it but it also helps with getting practice in 'pressure situations' is that each player shoots a free throw. If they miss, they run. If they make it they don't. From 3rd to 5th it was sprints. Now in 6th it is suicides. The kids love it and the parents love it and the other teams coming in for the next practice love it.

Put a lot of time into getting them to play as a team. I am a stickler for things like them doing nice, good, loud breaks with everyone in.... lot's of high fives.... I will come down on them for blaming a teammate on a bad play like "You were supposed to _______" in a negative way. I will line them up to run every time. I tell them all their communication needs to be positive. I will be the one telling players what they did wrong and how to correct it. If you communicate then it has to be positive and along the lines of "next time, can you cut right after the pass?" or whatever it is.

Don't be afraid to set the rules/expectations and if they don't live up to them, make them run. My teams know that when I blow the whistle at the beginning of practice, they stop whatever they were doing and hustle in. When a coach is talking, their eyes are on them and no talking, no dribbling or playing with a ball. Pay attention at all times, no sitting in practice ever, no leaning on walls, and no walking- always hustle. On sprints and suicides, they must all touch every line, or they run again. On all running "run hard or run again" so they put their full effort into it. I am likling forgetting some things and I know it sounds draconian but I also help them connect the dots. I explain why it is important that they all touch the line every time or whatever it is. I tell them it isn't for conditioning... if I wanted you guys to run, I would make you run but there are why's behind everything.

Most importantly, yes, basketball development is important but it isn't the most important. Most of your kids likely will not play HS let alone college but you can use sport in general and basketball in this case to teach life lessons. My goal every year above championships or winning, above development, way above fun is to help these boys be that much better after the season in terms of growing up into good, solid young men with successful lives.

If you want to work on something and want some drills just ask. I can help as a few others here.
 
2-0 record
34-2 score

CK was as I expected and no match... basically no match for my son and my other A player. My son had 9 steals and 9 rebounds and a few points, the other A player had 24 points. I knew CK would not be a very good B team as their two previous teams had no depth. I am wondering if we can run the table though as I am wondering if there will be anyone with the athleticism and talent that my son and the other A player have to match up. On top of that getting the other boys better.

I kept my son and the other A player in the whole game. My thinking on that was that if we are to win through the season, it is going to be on their backs and I want them to get use to playing with all these other players that I have as well as them together as a unit. Though they played on the same team last year, it was a whole different dynamic with them being in much more star roles now than before. I feel I need to get them use to it to maximize their ability. I cycled through the rest of the roster and moved them around a bit. The ref, apparently, did not like that. He made a comment about me keeping A player in which I ignored and then later in the game on a dead ball turned to me and said "do you want to get 8 out of the game?" I said "No." so whatever... you ref the game, I coach the game. After the game, I did make it a point to tell the other coach that I was coaching for the next game and rest of the season which is why I didn't pull either and it wasn't about running up the score or anything. However, there was a slight bit of revenge for me in that in that last year CK kept their star player (best player in the league by a healthy margin) in the game almost the entire game sitting him for the last like 30 seconds or so. Now, it wasn't the same team or coach but still the same school so there was a bit of it 'not like it isn't deserved' in my head too. But the real reason was wanting to get them playing smoother.

My son is going to give these B level players a real hard time all season long. They are super lucky that press is only allowed in the last 2 minutes because if they had to go against him full court it could be ugly. On top of 9 steals... he had two blocked shots.... one was really nice and just full complete ball but instead of launching it into the atmosphere, he controlled in a broke.... he did miss the layup but still. It was nice. It is, in my belief, the best on ball defensive player in the A league if he were there playing in B. My other A player is average at best with on ball defense but excels at off ball defense and getting into the passing lanes with good timing so he gets some steals that way.

Offensively, my other A player could take over the game by himself (and kind of does as the points say) but a lot of that is hustle and getting in the right position on top of those passes he steals. He actually was 'off' tonight and missed a lot of shots that he normally would have a high percentage on.

We had come good contributions from the other players. My PG made a few bad passes today but also made some very good passes too. I never bothered to ask him before but today I asked if he ever ran point before and he said no. (not sure why that is, he clearly can pass very well, though not quick has good ball control and can drive when something is there). I have another very good defender and decent rebounder... he kind of is a shorter, slower, not as athletic version of my son. He has a real knack for defense and goes and gets the ball. I have a lot of work to do in getting the boys to understand to square up and take their shots down low. Other than my son and the A player, if someone gets the ball down low they almost freeze and with that hesitation the defense gets on to them and then they are stuck. The other thing I really need to do is get my other A player to understand how passing makes him a complete offensive threat. He has a tendency to only pass to get the ball back and not so much on getting the ball to someone else for a better shot. My son needs to relax on his shooting. He gets too over amped and rushes the shot and then often goes long.

We have another game tomorrow. It is another school (Cath) that has two B teams. In past years, I remember them being decent but not too much of a threat so if they are watered down into two B teams, I suspect it may be another mercy rule game. But I make sure the boys go into each game ready to fight and not take anything for granted.
 
You left your best kids in the entire time in a 6th grade catholic/parochial league regular season game that ended with a 34-2 score? And the league/school/parents of the kids pulling splinters out of their rear let you do this?

I relate to a ton of what you do as as youth coach, and your stories make it sound like you do a lot of good for these kids, but this one seems way over the top.

The 6th grade Burger King plastic trophy ain’t worth it. Sure these kids look at you and as a group say let’s win, coach us hard. But I guarantee there were basketball loving 11-12 year olds who wish they had played more in that game. And if they don’t play when it’s 34-2, why should they bother?

Good luck to you. As a parent with kids slightly older, I’d advise you to simply enjoy the ride with your kid and not get so hung up on the rivalries and the other coaches and the wins/losses and the politics……..
 
Got sucked into coaching one of my kids' teams this year. I've been playing basketball since I could walk but I'm realizing I have no idea how to teach it. There are some good tips on the first page of this thread - a belated thank you to those posters from a couple of years ago.
Coaching is way different than playing. A good player doesn't make a good coach and vice versa.

I had no idea how much I would enjoy coaching. I thought it was a good chance to spend time with my son in more direct sporting environment. I fell in love with it.

For me, my perspective going in was that I was going to take it seriously. Not for me but for the kids. I looked back on my basketball career as a kid and though I had no idea then saw how my development was stunted by well meaning but inadequate coaching. So, I invested and continue to a lot of time and energy in making sure I am providing these kids development in basketball and then using it to teach life lessons so hopefully I impact their loves beyond basketball.

What age group? I am happy to assist in any way I can.
That's awfully kind, thanks. It's 10-11 year olds. I'm just looking at a couple online resources for practice drills and some basic plays. One of the dads wants to install a motion offense because he thinks it's important for his kid's development, but I think that's nuts at this age. If we can play help defense, push the pace, move without the ball, and maybe run 1-2 plays once in awhile, that seems good enough for me.
I am coaching a 6th grade team right now so basically 11-12 and a 3rd grade team. I am going to actually agree with the other coach here about a motion offense. I also would strongly suggest M2M defense. I will explain why but the short of it is- these are far superior to developing basketball skills than set plays and zone defenses. I installed a motion offense starting in 4th, in 4th I went with a 5 out. In 6th, I changed it to 4 out 1 in and was based off of the DDM mostly because the roster changed and I had a big man that I wanted to get involved low on. For 3rd grade, I literally just have them do a Give and Go, Screen, and Pick and Roll as the 'plays' on offense but I immediately start them on M2M.

For offense, motion is a great way to help them understand the game as it is and will be played in the future. Pretty much every motion offense (I can't really think of one that this would not be true of) is going to have them understand spacing, positioning, filling, off ball movement, fluidity, and the importance of passing. Any player that is able to understand these is going to be able to function in any offense that may end up playing down the line. If you have a couple of set plays, what they are learning is memorizing their responsibilities in the set play. I liken it to education and the difference between helping someone develop the ability to thinking critically on their own versus regurgitating a set of facts or stats or whatever it is that they will learn for a test and then forget later after it is no longer in use. The same here, motion teaches them the offensive game and allows them to be able to think through it on their own while a set play is the memorizing of what they are required to memorize and then will forget it as they move on.

On defense, you can not nudge me off of M2M for youth. It is a similar concept as learning a motion offense as it is M2M. If you teach M2M then the players can easily transition to a zone or junk defense in later years because they then know all the important aspects of defense such as on ball defense, denial, help defense, positioning, communication, closeouts, etc. and going to zone they can pick up 'this is my area of responsibility' and inject everything they learned in M2M. Now going from zone to learning M2M, that is a big learning curve. I am going through it right now with most of my team having not been on my previous teams and they played all zone.

Both are HARDER to teach at these age levels but it is in the long term interest of their basketball development to go with a motion and M2M. My 4 out 1 in is largely based on the DDM but it is not a pure DDM. Right now, the only offense we have is our motion offense. I did the same last year and then later as the season progressed, we added some set plays (mostly to get them with some screens as my DDM doesn't have screens as a real DDM lacks that to begin with). For M2M, in both 4th and 5th grade, we lost our first games and then later won the league championship. One of the key reasons we lost those first games was struggling to play good M2M with proper help defense and then they got it down and what happened was it was a competitive advantage for us. In our leagues, where at these levels almost all teams play a zone or junk defense, the offenses were just not used to being pressured at half and everyone in denial. They were so use to maybe one player pressuring up top in a box and 1 which was the most common junk defense utilized or the teams being in a zone.

Pushing the ball down court is awesome and great for development. Coaching them on learning when to push, the urgency needed and when to pull up and set up your offense is crucial though. Also, make sure they get a good understanding of filing the lanes, speed (passing is faster than running), urgency, and quick decision making. Also, along those same lines is another flaw in running zone.... if you are a good fast break team at these ages, you can slash up teams as the players are so set on getting to their assigned area that they often aren't paying attention to the ball like they should and you can attack the basket. If you practice a lot of fast breaks then you also are practicing transition defense which is helpful again.

A couple of other 'suggestions':

I give my teams a choice every year: I can either coach you where we all have a ton of fun and then hope we win some games or I can coach you hard and push you and help you guys do everything you can to get better so we win as many games as we can and have fun while we win. I go into detail of what that means and my expectations of them if they choose to work hard and win. 80% of ALL boys will pick the work hard and those that may not be up to it will be peer pressured into agreeing as I tell them it has to be a team decision. That gets their buy in. I am very hard on my teams but my boys love it. Boys that were not on my teams before wanted to be on my team, those who were and were moved wished they were still on my team, boys told me this year that they were happy they were on my team because they knew I would push them and make them better. Boys crave that but the key to unlock it is their buy in. As one boy last year told my daughter when she said "Yea but isn't he really hard on you guys?" and the answer was "Yes, but that is what we told him what we wanted."

Plan out your practices ahead of time. It really helps and you can control the flow of the practice. Of course, if need be, you can always change on the fly. (our first practice from this team our weave was so bad that I had to drop my plans and focus on getting them to pass well)

One thing that I do every practice and believe it or not the kids love it but it also helps with getting practice in 'pressure situations' is that each player shoots a free throw. If they miss, they run. If they make it they don't. From 3rd to 5th it was sprints. Now in 6th it is suicides. The kids love it and the parents love it and the other teams coming in for the next practice love it.

Put a lot of time into getting them to play as a team. I am a stickler for things like them doing nice, good, loud breaks with everyone in.... lot's of high fives.... I will come down on them for blaming a teammate on a bad play like "You were supposed to _______" in a negative way. I will line them up to run every time. I tell them all their communication needs to be positive. I will be the one telling players what they did wrong and how to correct it. If you communicate then it has to be positive and along the lines of "next time, can you cut right after the pass?" or whatever it is.

Don't be afraid to set the rules/expectations and if they don't live up to them, make them run. My teams know that when I blow the whistle at the beginning of practice, they stop whatever they were doing and hustle in. When a coach is talking, their eyes are on them and no talking, no dribbling or playing with a ball. Pay attention at all times, no sitting in practice ever, no leaning on walls, and no walking- always hustle. On sprints and suicides, they must all touch every line, or they run again. On all running "run hard or run again" so they put their full effort into it. I am likling forgetting some things and I know it sounds draconian but I also help them connect the dots. I explain why it is important that they all touch the line every time or whatever it is. I tell them it isn't for conditioning... if I wanted you guys to run, I would make you run but there are why's behind everything.

Most importantly, yes, basketball development is important but it isn't the most important. Most of your kids likely will not play HS let alone college but you can use sport in general and basketball in this case to teach life lessons. My goal every year above championships or winning, above development, way above fun is to help these boys be that much better after the season in terms of growing up into good, solid young men with successful lives.

If you want to work on something and want some drills just ask. I can help as a few others here.
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
 
I kept my son and the other A player in the whole game. My thinking on that was that if we are to win through the season, it is going to be on their backs and I want them to get use to playing with all these other players that I have as well as them together as a unit.
I think you would be better served by having the kids that aren't as good getting playing time to get better themselves in games like this. Keeping the best kids in the entire time in a blowout of that magnitude will only start to piss everyone off. Both your team (because other kids that don't get a lot of PT are not getting PT in games they should be getting it) and the other teams (because they are getting blown out and keeping your best two players in the whole time is a bad look).

I understand your reasoning but nobody else will see it that way and as I said previously the lesser kids need to play more so they can get better. Blowouts are the best time for that to happen.
 
I keep seeing many in here stating that M2M should be the only defense at young ages. I have never understood that approach. When I was coaching I taught M2M techniques but much of that carry's over to zone as well. When someone is in your zone your defending technique is the same as a M2M and in a zone it helps develop "help" techniques by recognizing what is happening away from your "man". I think you can teach both as the basic defending mechanics are the same.

I also found that for lesser kids that were never going to develop into basketball players (ones that really didn't want to be there) it was great to keep them involved by having them basically "chase the ball" on defense. It gave them a purpose and every kid that I employed that approach to loved it and had a much more enjoyable time playing then getting lost playing M2M or zone.

I agree that M2M technique is the foundation for everything and I definitely spent a ton of time at practice with drills, movement, etc for those techniques but transitioning into zone from those techniques wasn't an issue or stunted development of defensive skills. What is zone so bad?
 
I keep seeing many in here stating that M2M should be the only defense at young ages. I have never understood that approach. When I was coaching I taught M2M techniques but much of that carry's over to zone as well. When someone is in your zone your defending technique is the same as a M2M and in a zone it helps develop "help" techniques by recognizing what is happening away from your "man". I think you can teach both as the basic defending mechanics are the same.

I also found that for lesser kids that were never going to develop into basketball players (ones that really didn't want to be there) it was great to keep them involved by having them basically "chase the ball" on defense. It gave them a purpose and every kid that I employed that approach to loved it and had a much more enjoyable time playing then getting lost playing M2M or zone.

I agree that M2M technique is the foundation for everything and I definitely spent a ton of time at practice with drills, movement, etc for those techniques but transitioning into zone from those techniques wasn't an issue or stunted development of defensive skills. What is zone so bad?
Zone is not good at the younger levels because it's primary advantages are that the younger kids don't have the strength to hit the perimeter shot or throw skip passes. You have to spend time teaching them to break a zone, learning tactics they may never use again, instead of building skills, ie ball handling, shooting, passing, 1v1 defense, 1v1 offense, rotations, reads, etc.

In Germany we have m2m restrictions at all levels u16 and younger
  • one pass away, must be within 2m of the player you are guarding with vision on your man
    • So if you pick up FC, the defender on the inbounder must be on the ball facing the ball, can't turn and face the screening action and can't be helping over the top.
  • more thanone pass away you can play the midline as long as you have vision on your man
  • you can not double a player without the ball
  • you are not allowed to have more defenders in the back court than attackers
With further restrictions at u12 and younger (aka minis)
  • No double teams
  • No inbound pressure below the FT line in the back court
  • No screens (includes pinch post action and DHOs
They also have anything outside the lane as 3 points for the minis, and 24 second shot clocks at u12 and older. At u12 both coaches can agree to play without a shot clock and, at the lowest league, one side can opt to play 4v4 as the weaker clubs won't have participation numbers to field normal size squads. 4v4 is normal for u10 and under with 8 half quarters being played and players restricted to 6 half quarters. At the higher u10 levels normal playing times are used. It is encouraged to have equal playing time for the minis
 
You left your best kids in the entire time in a 6th grade catholic/parochial league regular season game that ended with a 34-2 score? And the league/school/parents of the kids pulling splinters out of their rear let you do this?

I relate to a ton of what you do as as youth coach, and your stories make it sound like you do a lot of good for these kids, but this one seems way over the top.

The 6th grade Burger King plastic trophy ain’t worth it. Sure these kids look at you and as a group say let’s win, coach us hard. But I guarantee there were basketball loving 11-12 year olds who wish they had played more in that game. And if they don’t play when it’s 34-2, why should they bother?

Good luck to you. As a parent with kids slightly older, I’d advise you to simply enjoy the ride with your kid and not get so hung up on the rivalries and the other coaches and the wins/losses and the politics……..
It is a Jr High league that your mission is to win and there is no guarantee of playing time. In elementary school, it was supposed to be equal playing time on the roster. I have communicated at the start to the parents and the kids that playing time will be earned by hard work and ability. Even so, everyone got over a quarter at least of playing time. I have 8 kids on the roster so it isn't like there is a lot of sitting to begin with.

For the league- league rules do not specify playing time. Just like all Jr High sports I know of and played in. Being Catholic does not change that... if anything, it is more competitive than public schools.

For the school- our direction is to win and there is no guarantee of playing time.

For the parents- one of the parents even told me after I mentioned the ref didn't like me that "WTF? Everyone played. Sad that the ref felt that way." Another one, unsolicited, responded on a FB post of one of the parents posting about the game that I was a great coach. I have a reputation of being hard and tough but the parents and kids respect and 'want' it probably because it isn't just a hard and tough but with love and nurturing.

My philosophy may be different than yours. I despise participation trophies though I make it a point to keep everyone that is on the team participating. I believe that sport teaches life lessons, one of those it that you are not going to be handed things in life because you want it or feel you deserve it or think it is fair to be given it. You have to go earn it. I have been clear with the boys that I am treating them a different way now that they are in Jr High and I draw the line for them to understand and hopefully teach these lessons to them. That to me is way more important than winning a game. The plastic trophy isn't important to me but it is important to the kids so then it does mean something to me and again, winning is a life lesson that can be taught in sport. It may be more accurate to say that how you go about to make sure you win is a life lesson.

I have a pretty good tab on where my boys are in terms of 'why should I bother' and for 7 of the 8 they want nothing more than that championship and are working hard for it. I am not losing them in that for the first couple of games, I am playing my two best players all game. And if I did, again, that would be an opportunity for a life lesson of me talking to the kid and teaching/coaching them. I don't think I will get to that point because I am very intentional on everything I do with reasons behind everything I do and I communicate very well with the kids to explain things to them beyond basketball- such as a couple of practices where we spent about a third of the practice talking and it was largely about life lessons.

Yes, I will admit, I get a little involved in school rivalries but isn't that what rivalries are all about? I can give a crap about politics. As long as my parents and kids are on board and I am following the rules of the league and school- I don't care. Plain and simple. My care is all about my kids. And I don't think caring about them is trying to make sure everyone gets "fair" playing time when that is not the intent of the league. Sure, elementary school it makes sense but as you get to Jr High these kids need to be taught that they aren't going to be treated like kids anymore. The sooner and softer I can get that lesson learned for them the better off that they will be. I believe I am doing a damn good job of that.

All that said, am I going to play both kids all game long in all the blowouts of the season? No. But I want to get the high end of the team kinks worked out now so if we come up against a tougher team, we are ready for it. I have a whole season to sit them down to give the others more playing time. But I was coaching this game for the next game/rest of the season. Again, everything I do has purpose behind it.

I am enjoying the ride with my son. I am also enjoying the ride with the other boys. I don't feel I have anything to apologize for or feel bad about. I see no indication at all that anyone involved other than the ref from last night's game has anything but positive things to say about me as a coach- from the school to the parents to the kids. And that is all I care about. Your philosophy is different than mine. I am fine with that.
 
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
I don't see it as developing tactics, I see it as developing the full set of skills. I think it is as important to understand the full game as it is how to dribble or shoot. IF you are teaching it the right way where they are getting a full understanding of the why's behind everything and not just the rules of the motion.
 
I kept my son and the other A player in the whole game. My thinking on that was that if we are to win through the season, it is going to be on their backs and I want them to get use to playing with all these other players that I have as well as them together as a unit.
I think you would be better served by having the kids that aren't as good getting playing time to get better themselves in games like this. Keeping the best kids in the entire time in a blowout of that magnitude will only start to piss everyone off. Both your team (because other kids that don't get a lot of PT are not getting PT in games they should be getting it) and the other teams (because they are getting blown out and keeping your best two players in the whole time is a bad look).

I understand your reasoning but nobody else will see it that way and as I said previously the lesser kids need to play more so they can get better. Blowouts are the best time for that to happen.
As I replied above, I don't think I am in danger of anyone being upset with me other than the ref or maybe the other team parents or kids or whatever. But my concern is not them- it is my team. I am not concerned that the first couple of games me trying to get my team to play the way I want it to and not benching my best players is going to have my lose the good will of the parents or kids of my team. If anything- they are pumped up that they are winning. I did mention it to the other coach that I was coaching for the rest of the season during the game which to me was a step further than I had to go as I don't think I need to explain to anyone my decisions as a coach other than to my parents and kids or perhaps the AD but I will never have to 'answer' to him for not benching my two best players in a blowout.
 
@houston and @Navin Johnson pretty much nailed everything so there isn't anything for me to add. I will summarize by saying: M2M teaches all of what a defense is and zone only part. I also like how the article that Houston attached talks about developing some bad habits. I am working through breaking those bad habits with half of my team right now.
 
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
I don't see it as developing tactics, I see it as developing the full set of skills. I think it is as important to understand the full game as it is how to dribble or shoot. IF you are teaching it the right way where they are getting a full understanding of the why's behind everything and not just the rules of the motion.
I guess it depends on what you conceptualize what 'motion offense' is. As inmy earlier posts, they don't want kids here learning how to read screens at the younger age as opportunity cost is too great compared to what they will get out of grinding out basic skills. Plus, what you teach them might not be the same as what their future coaches want them to run. If I feel a younger kid is advanced enough to do so, I can always play them up to an older age group which allows it.
 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
 
Grainy video from Stan Van Gundy. He’s not a big fan of youth hoops in USA.

 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
We had a girl who got zero run in middle school, almost didn't come out for the HS team. Played JV as a frosh ( I remember doing left-right-lift walks without a ball with here so she didn't feel silly) and led the league in scoring as an uncoordinated 6'2 center. Played Varsity the next three years, 2nd team all league as a Soph, and 1st team 2x. She walked on at CAL before blowing out her MCL. Bottom line is you never know who is going to develop, or hit a growth spurt.
 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
We had a girl who got zero run in middle school, almost didn't come out for the HS team. Played JV as a frosh ( I remember doing left-right-lift walks without a ball with here so she didn't feel silly) and led the league in scoring as an uncoordinated 6'2 center. Played Varsity the next three years, 2nd team all league as a Soph, and 1st team 2x. She walked on at CAL before blowing out her MCL. Bottom line is you never know who is going to develop, or hit a growth spurt.
this is so true one of the wars the old scwer fought was to have a youth program i coached for stop cutting girls in the fourth grade read that again yall the fourth grade thats nuts you dont know who is what in the fourth grade your bigs might not be shorter than your guards by high school so they finally did but i had to coach the b squad and by the time those kids were in high school all the starters in high school were my fourth grade b kids all of whom would have walked away from basketball if they had been cut i will tell another story in another post take that to the bank brohans
 
here is the other story when i was assistant coaching youth softball which i dont really know but i know how to coach we were sitting in a bar on state street in madison when i was still a drinking man so this was probably 15 years ago and i was sort of going at it with the head coach who was generally just pretty negative in his demeanor and i was again saying our only job was to develop the kids and just make them have a great time because i firmly believe that a team having a great time plays better on the field so anyhow he is being negative and i am being positive because path of the brohan and all that and a guy a few seats down wearing uw stuff says i agree with swc your only job at your level is to make sure the kids keep playing and get to me now my buddy went red and we sort of wrapped up the conversation and we never figured out what sport he probably coached but it was sort of a life lesson for me and should be for anyone coaching there are levels to this thing and when you coach youth your job isnt to win its to develop and engage take that to the bank brochachos
 
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
I don't see it as developing tactics, I see it as developing the full set of skills. I think it is as important to understand the full game as it is how to dribble or shoot. IF you are teaching it the right way where they are getting a full understanding of the why's behind everything and not just the rules of the motion.
I guess it depends on what you conceptualize what 'motion offense' is. As in my earlier posts, they don't want kids here learning how to read screens at the younger age as opportunity cost is too great compared to what they will get out of grinding out basic skills. Plus, what you teach them might not be the same as what their future coaches want them to run. If I feel a younger kid is advanced enough to do so, I can always play them up to an older age group which allows it.
I teach the motion with a focus on concepts that are transferable to every single offensive system in basketball. I don't teach rules though I explain the rules of the motion. I further, at these ages, simplify the rules for them as I don't want them thinking about what they are supposed to do in the 'system' as much as they are learning the game. Right now, our motion is simply pass and cut, move and fill in. My teaching is in passing, spacing, gaps, ball movement, off ball movement, driving, shot selection and communication. I use motion offenses to teach it. It is a tool, really. I do add screens in later in the season for 4th+ grades. I feel strongly that what I teach, both on offense and defense, will carry over to anything their future coaches want to do. I also believe my kids are understanding the game at a higher level than most kids their age because I am not teaching the rules of a particular offense or set plays and on defense, M2M is easily carried over to any zone or junk defense. In terms of basketball development (which is my secondary goal) I believe my teams get more development than by far the majority of the other kids their ages out there. In basketball development, I am developing their understanding of the game, their ability to play as a team and their individual skillsets. I do a better job than most at this not because I am better than others but I care about it more than others. I am passionate about these kids.

Playing up is a whole difference conversation. I had one recently with the father of a boy who easily can play up and has. I am not sure playing up is beneficial always. Certainly not if they are physically not to the match and are not actually getting playing time. On the other end, if there really is no challenge for them at their level then are they really developing? Are they really working hard to get better when it is 'easy' for them to beat their opponents. I think for me, playing up is a very case by case, situation by situation thing.
 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
I feel like this was directed at me but I don't feel it is relevant to me.
 
Grainy video from Stan Van Gundy. He’s not a big fan of youth hoops in USA.

I agree with everything he said and advocate for it. I have told my parents before "we are playing M2M all season long- even if it costs us every game because I strongly believe it is for the best of their development." I would add one thing and I feel like Stan would not disagree with me on this... I think you need to be prepared to lose games if you are developing the kids the right way but at the same time, the kids care about winning. Even my non-athletic kid on the team cares very much about winning. I don't think you can care for the kids if you ignore something that is important to them. So, yes, winning is important to me simply because it is important to the kids. I further use it as part of my life lessons. Namely how hard work pays off. Even if we were losing, I could draw the line from hard work to improving but it is much more impactful to these kids that their hard work ends up in wins. I think it does a disservice to the kids as you get into Jr High if your focus is on being fair and everyone having fun. Elementary school, sure, you need to make sure everyone is enjoying the game (I still hate the idea of fun... if you are making sport about fun you are setting up kids to quite the sport later when it no longer is 'fun'. If you focus on them enjoying the game then they will embrace the hard work that isn't fun to continue in the sport). Winning is part of it. Is it the most important? Absolutely not even close. But I can have my primary goal (teaching life lessons) and my secondary goal (developing their basketball game) and not conflict at all with winning and in fact use winning to support both. I would never sacrifice either of my top goals to win though which I believe is the main criticism that Stan is pointing out.

He also touches on something here that I heard Geno Auriemma touch on about American basketball (really attacking AAU) versus over seas. The focus over seas is practice, practice, practice and then you play a game or maybe two on the weekend. Where the focus here is games, games, games and then maybe practice a bit. He used an anecdote of a team that lost all it's players because they were practicing a lot... other teams came in and poached the players and basically told them you can come to practice or not- just come to the games. It is that mentality along with the "street ballization" of AAU and NBA that has weakened American basketball.
 
And just to be clear, if we were getting blown out- I would have had the same exact rotation as I did last night. Because for me, it was about improving things I wanted them to improve on and getting use to playing together in their new roles for future games. Last night's game was, in some aspects, a practice for me in terms of how I approached it and what I wanted out of the game.
 
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
I don't see it as developing tactics, I see it as developing the full set of skills. I think it is as important to understand the full game as it is how to dribble or shoot. IF you are teaching it the right way where they are getting a full understanding of the why's behind everything and not just the rules of the motion.
I guess it depends on what you conceptualize what 'motion offense' is. As in my earlier posts, they don't want kids here learning how to read screens at the younger age as opportunity cost is too great compared to what they will get out of grinding out basic skills. Plus, what you teach them might not be the same as what their future coaches want them to run. If I feel a younger kid is advanced enough to do so, I can always play them up to an older age group which allows it.
I teach the motion with a focus on concepts that are transferable to every single offensive system in basketball. I don't teach rules though I explain the rules of the motion. I further, at these ages, simplify the rules for them as I don't want them thinking about what they are supposed to do in the 'system' as much as they are learning the game. Right now, our motion is simply pass and cut, move and fill in. My teaching is in passing, spacing, gaps, ball movement, off ball movement, driving, shot selection and communication. I use motion offenses to teach it. It is a tool, really. I do add screens in later in the season for 4th+ grades. I feel strongly that what I teach, both on offense and defense, will carry over to anything their future coaches want to do. I also believe my kids are understanding the game at a higher level than most kids their age because I am not teaching the rules of a particular offense or set plays and on defense, M2M is easily carried over to any zone or junk defense. In terms of basketball development (which is my secondary goal) I believe my teams get more development than by far the majority of the other kids their ages out there. In basketball development, I am developing their understanding of the game, their ability to play as a team and their individual skillsets. I do a better job than most at this not because I am better than others but I care about it more than others. I am passionate about these kids.

Playing up is a whole difference conversation. I had one recently with the father of a boy who easily can play up and has. I am not sure playing up is beneficial always. Certainly not if they are physically not to the match and are not actually getting playing time. On the other end, if there really is no challenge for them at their level then are they really developing? Are they really working hard to get better when it is 'easy' for them to beat their opponents. I think for me, playing up is a very case by case, situation by situation thing.
Yeah, that's not really motion, it's just read and react which I am ok with at that level. I don't recommend any off ball screening action until the middle school levels.

On your last note, I agree that if there isreally no challenge for them then they really aren't benefitting at a rate that they would be otherwise. With that inmind, do you think it benefits your team playing your best two players more than the end of your bench, which would be challenged more and would definitely benefit more, in meaningless minutes? I'm all for playing to the end and giving your opponent a thorough *** whipping, but I also want to do so in a manner that improves my TEAM in the best way possible.
 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
I feel like this was directed at me but I don't feel it is relevant to me.
it wasnt honest i just spew out swc stuff and i want to be clear not at you take that to the bank brochacho
 
Disagree on motion offense, especially at that age. Anytime spent teaching tactics is better used developing skills.
I don't see it as developing tactics, I see it as developing the full set of skills. I think it is as important to understand the full game as it is how to dribble or shoot. IF you are teaching it the right way where they are getting a full understanding of the why's behind everything and not just the rules of the motion.
I guess it depends on what you conceptualize what 'motion offense' is. As in my earlier posts, they don't want kids here learning how to read screens at the younger age as opportunity cost is too great compared to what they will get out of grinding out basic skills. Plus, what you teach them might not be the same as what their future coaches want them to run. If I feel a younger kid is advanced enough to do so, I can always play them up to an older age group which allows it.
I teach the motion with a focus on concepts that are transferable to every single offensive system in basketball. I don't teach rules though I explain the rules of the motion. I further, at these ages, simplify the rules for them as I don't want them thinking about what they are supposed to do in the 'system' as much as they are learning the game. Right now, our motion is simply pass and cut, move and fill in. My teaching is in passing, spacing, gaps, ball movement, off ball movement, driving, shot selection and communication. I use motion offenses to teach it. It is a tool, really. I do add screens in later in the season for 4th+ grades. I feel strongly that what I teach, both on offense and defense, will carry over to anything their future coaches want to do. I also believe my kids are understanding the game at a higher level than most kids their age because I am not teaching the rules of a particular offense or set plays and on defense, M2M is easily carried over to any zone or junk defense. In terms of basketball development (which is my secondary goal) I believe my teams get more development than by far the majority of the other kids their ages out there. In basketball development, I am developing their understanding of the game, their ability to play as a team and their individual skillsets. I do a better job than most at this not because I am better than others but I care about it more than others. I am passionate about these kids.

Playing up is a whole difference conversation. I had one recently with the father of a boy who easily can play up and has. I am not sure playing up is beneficial always. Certainly not if they are physically not to the match and are not actually getting playing time. On the other end, if there really is no challenge for them at their level then are they really developing? Are they really working hard to get better when it is 'easy' for them to beat their opponents. I think for me, playing up is a very case by case, situation by situation thing.
Yeah, that's not really motion, it's just read and react which I am ok with at that level. I don't recommend any off ball screening action until the middle school levels.

On your last note, I agree that if there isreally no challenge for them then they really aren't benefitting at a rate that they would be otherwise. With that inmind, do you think it benefits your team playing your best two players more than the end of your bench, which would be challenged more and would definitely benefit more, in meaningless minutes? I'm all for playing to the end and giving your opponent a thorough *** whipping, but I also want to do so in a manner that improves my TEAM in the best way possible.
I get where you are saying it is more R&R but it really is more of a motion, at least in my mind, because it is not as structured as R&R or at least how it will be by the end of the year... right now I would say it is simplified motion which yes, has much in common with R&R. The reason I say simplified is as I get their basketball IQ up, I start giving them more 'freedom' and allow them to adapt more that you have in a motion offense while spacing and timing is a big focus (which is more so a point of emphasis in motion than R&R)

As for the benefiting the team, yes, I do because though they are my two best players they are not use to playing the roles they are playing now as much and playing with each other in the way they are now- even though they played together last year. Me developing them isn't all about them or all about winning, it is how I think it is the best way to approach this as for them I can coach them through things they need to improve on during the game, while the others need more teaching that is best done in practice. This is the second game of the season. I am not planning on playing my two best players every minute of every game for the entire season. Their playing the full game showed me improvement just like I wanted to see on things that unless I have a joint practice with another team, I can't give them in practice. The other boys, their development is more needed in practice where I can work with them, explain things to them, correct them, have them run it through again, etc. and once again, everyone got a quarter plus time in the game so it wasn't like half the team was sitting as spectators the entire game. Different needs for different players.
 
i have coached and been around girls youth basketball for years and have countless kids who i coached who have played or who are playing d 1 2 and 3 bball but no niaa yet which is strange anyhow the best youth teams that go on to be the best high school teams play everyone through 8th grade here is my story i saw a 7th grade coach play 6 kids and win by 2 against a powerhouse that played all 11 kids the winning coach died his hair and made it out like it was the best win ever while 5 of his kids never saw the court and most of them left the program by the next year the team that lost went on to lose a few times in the state finals before winning the state championship while the coach who died his hair had his own daughter leave the program to go another school because there were no other players on her team and they stunk on ice guess why because playing 6 kids runs kids off my point is that winning in the 7th and 8th grade might feel great for the coaches but the losing team playing all 11 kids learned more from that game that than the team playing just 6 and look how it turned out take that to the bank brochachos
I feel like this was directed at me but I don't feel it is relevant to me.
it wasnt honest i just spew out swc stuff and i want to be clear not at you take that to the bank brochacho
Fair enough and appreciated. I think I felt that way just because the discussion has been centered around me playing my two best players all game long and likely a good reason why I didn't feel it was relevant to me because it wasn't directed at me.

I LOVE the discussion, feedback, challenging, collaborating, etc.... it all makes me a better coach which I am all about. Agree or disagree, if I can't explain the why behind what I do then it needs to change.
 
My two cents as a former Division 1 coach - this thread is very well informed!

Offense
  • agree don't get too complicated, agree skills focus and how the game works matters most
  • cut when coming towards ball (a "v cut" most commonly) to get open for a pass outside
  • back cut to get open and score
  • what to do when the PG dribbles at you (CUT!)
  • If you start to get more complex you can bring in the on ball screen next - I wouldn't do much off ball screening when kids don't have consistent outside shots yet. If you have a great team who is getting it, I don't mind the back screen off ball to get the other guy cutting to basket and screening his defender - and you can even do that with a baseline cross.

Defense
  • strongly agree that M2M on and off ball is vital, don't have much to add to what everyone has said here
 
I can't reconcile leaving your best players in when winning 34-2 at the middle school level. As we surveyed our now 6th grade team before the season, is your priority to have fun? or is it to learn the game? develop skills? win? They answered as we expected to which we responded - then that's how we'll coach you. Up to this point, fun's been the priority. Now it's not, as I'd expect for a good 6th grade team.

But if we're blowing out our opponent, there is nothing to be gained from continuing to pound them with our best players. That is the opportunity to develop others. I think back to our first couple games last season, when our priority was 'fun' but we still wanted to compete & win. Going into it we had 2 players that were clearly better than everyone else, our primary ball handlers that always defended the oppositions best. But we won those games rather handedly. Looking back (thank you, gamechanger) we were up 20-2 and 20-4 at half of each game. We used those 2nd halves as opportunities for others, one of our good players was always out there to lead but they had no shooting orders. My son isn't a special offensive player, but he showed a new level of aggression at November practices we hadn't seen in prior years. So we assigned him to their point guard, tasking him with creating as many turnovers as he could. Another player on our team had a growth spurt that year. Before then he just blended in, so he hadn't developed any skills. We tasked the offense with getting him the ball on the block to work on those moves in live game situations. A third player also experienced a growth spurt that year. Unlike the other guy, he hadn't demonstrated useful skills in practice and unlike my son if we tasked him with pressure defense he'd foul out in 2 minutes. But can we develop him as a rebounder? He was a player we never planned to play Q4 of close games, so this was a chance to get him some PT and see what he could provide the team.

Fast forward to season's end- my son led the team in steals (3.2), our post player emerged 2nd in pts (7.8) allowing our other guard become more facilitator (4.4 ast), and the former benchwarmer was 2nd in rebounds (5.9). Now, this didn't happen because we let them play in the 2nd half of a couple blowouts. But that exposure allowed them the opportunity to develop into contributors. We were in a dog fight game 4, but my son was fearless manning up with their significantly bigger PG (6 steals, who knows how many turnovers created). Our raw post player struggled with a post player also much bigger than him, but snuck in 5 pts amongst the trees. And our prior bench warmer pulled in 6 rebounds amidst those same trees. Resulting in a 25-24 buzzer beater. That progression continued on for each through the season.

Now, is that exactly what we would've done with a different team? No, but we would have used it as an opportunity for others to develop skills they had demonstrated up to that point. Competing is important, but there is a point in which the priority changes, and while that varies 20-2 or 20-4 of a middle school game is one. Wins of 35-10 and 36-12 paired with development of our secondary players instead of 40-4 with a continued focus on our stars is a no brainer.

I think we now have the makings of a championship team this year and it's because of how we managed last season. Our best 2 players are unchanged, but now they're not tasked with doing everything. They have specialists around them that are working on new skills, allowing them to do what that game calls for. We have a defensive specialist, that's now also developed a 3 pt shot. We have a rebounding specialist, that's now also capable of playing tight d without fouling out in 2 mins. And we have a 3rd primary scorer, that's also now a full court threat, both handling the ball and creating turnovers on the press. We'll see what our 2 newcomers bring to the table this season.
 
I can't reconcile leaving your best players in when winning 34-2 at the middle school level. As we surveyed our now 6th grade team before the season, is your priority to have fun? or is it to learn the game? develop skills? win? They answered as we expected to which we responded - then that's how we'll coach you. Up to this point, fun's been the priority. Now it's not, as I'd expect for a good 6th grade team.

But if we're blowing out our opponent, there is nothing to be gained from continuing to pound them with our best players. That is the opportunity to develop others. I think back to our first couple games last season, when our priority was 'fun' but we still wanted to compete & win. Going into it we had 2 players that were clearly better than everyone else, our primary ball handlers that always defended the oppositions best. But we won those games rather handedly. Looking back (thank you, gamechanger) we were up 20-2 and 20-4 at half of each game. We used those 2nd halves as opportunities for others, one of our good players was always out there to lead but they had no shooting orders. My son isn't a special offensive player, but he showed a new level of aggression at November practices we hadn't seen in prior years. So we assigned him to their point guard, tasking him with creating as many turnovers as he could. Another player on our team had a growth spurt that year. Before then he just blended in, so he hadn't developed any skills. We tasked the offense with getting him the ball on the block to work on those moves in live game situations. A third player also experienced a growth spurt that year. Unlike the other guy, he hadn't demonstrated useful skills in practice and unlike my son if we tasked him with pressure defense he'd foul out in 2 minutes. But can we develop him as a rebounder? He was a player we never planned to play Q4 of close games, so this was a chance to get him some PT and see what he could provide the team.

Fast forward to season's end- my son led the team in steals (3.2), our post player emerged 2nd in pts (7.8) allowing our other guard become more facilitator (4.4 ast), and the former benchwarmer was 2nd in rebounds (5.9). Now, this didn't happen because we let them play in the 2nd half of a couple blowouts. But that exposure allowed them the opportunity to develop into contributors. We were in a dog fight game 4, but my son was fearless manning up with their significantly bigger PG (6 steals, who knows how many turnovers created). Our raw post player struggled with a post player also much bigger than him, but snuck in 5 pts amongst the trees. And our prior bench warmer pulled in 6 rebounds amidst those same trees. Resulting in a 25-24 buzzer beater. That progression continued on for each through the season.

Now, is that exactly what we would've done with a different team? No, but we would have used it as an opportunity for others to develop skills they had demonstrated up to that point. Competing is important, but there is a point in which the priority changes, and while that varies 20-2 or 20-4 of a middle school game is one. Wins of 35-10 and 36-12 paired with development of our secondary players instead of 40-4 with a continued focus on our stars is a no brainer.

I think we now have the makings of a championship team this year and it's because of how we managed last season. Our best 2 players are unchanged, but now they're not tasked with doing everything. They have specialists around them that are working on new skills, allowing them to do what that game calls for. We have a defensive specialist, that's now also developed a 3 pt shot. We have a rebounding specialist, that's now also capable of playing tight d without fouling out in 2 mins. And we have a 3rd primary scorer, that's also now a full court threat, both handling the ball and creating turnovers on the press. We'll see what our 2 newcomers bring to the table this season.
I disagree. The core of it is that you think "there is nothing to be gained" while I know that there was and it was achieved to a large degree. I saw exactly what I wanted to see as the game progressed in improvement from them. This was mostly on fast breaks but also in running the offense. Partly because of their athletic ability but also largely because they were the only two players (aside from my non-athletic player) that were with me lasy year, thus they have a better understanding of the offense and they were showing how it works against an opponent in ways I can not replicate in practice. My main goal was to refine my two best players that if the opponent we play tonight is a much tougher one, they will be ready. I feel the opportunity for me to have them recall back to the game seeing how it works and how effective it is when done right- can help me further develop them in practice in ways that them just playing in a game will not do.

IF my goal was to run up the score then I would agree with each one of you of the criticism I have had here on this decision. However, that was NOT my goal. I had a very specific reason to keep them in and I made a lot of progress in achieving those goals by keeping them in. IF I made it a statement that I would keep my two best players in all season long, again, I would agree with all the criticism leveled at me. However, that is NOT my plan. This is literally the second game of the season. I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time. I will adjust my substitutions as the seasons and games progress based on what I think is of the greatest benefit to the players and team.

In as much as me getting them championship ready, in 3rd grade there was no championship but we had a winning season (did not keep track of the W-L but we definitely won more than lost), 4th grade, different roster = league championship. 5th grade, different roster again = league championship and two tournament championships. 6th grade starting off pretty well. But more importantly, I know I am impacting these kids for the better in their lives. Sure, getting better at basketball is important but the first is them getting better at life. From all feedback and responses from parents to the kids themselves- I am doing just that. I could note instance after instance that reflects that.

I believe I am achieving my primary and secondary goals (develop life lessons through sport and develop their basketball skillsets and understanding) and at the same time winning as a nice cherry on the top. If someone can explain to me how I am failing the kids in any way on that... please, go ahead. You may not agree with me but there is plenty of brains involved in the decisions I make.
 
I can't reconcile leaving your best players in when winning 34-2 at the middle school level. As we surveyed our now 6th grade team before the season, is your priority to have fun? or is it to learn the game? develop skills? win? They answered as we expected to which we responded - then that's how we'll coach you. Up to this point, fun's been the priority. Now it's not, as I'd expect for a good 6th grade team.

But if we're blowing out our opponent, there is nothing to be gained from continuing to pound them with our best players. That is the opportunity to develop others. I think back to our first couple games last season, when our priority was 'fun' but we still wanted to compete & win. Going into it we had 2 players that were clearly better than everyone else, our primary ball handlers that always defended the oppositions best. But we won those games rather handedly. Looking back (thank you, gamechanger) we were up 20-2 and 20-4 at half of each game. We used those 2nd halves as opportunities for others, one of our good players was always out there to lead but they had no shooting orders. My son isn't a special offensive player, but he showed a new level of aggression at November practices we hadn't seen in prior years. So we assigned him to their point guard, tasking him with creating as many turnovers as he could. Another player on our team had a growth spurt that year. Before then he just blended in, so he hadn't developed any skills. We tasked the offense with getting him the ball on the block to work on those moves in live game situations. A third player also experienced a growth spurt that year. Unlike the other guy, he hadn't demonstrated useful skills in practice and unlike my son if we tasked him with pressure defense he'd foul out in 2 minutes. But can we develop him as a rebounder? He was a player we never planned to play Q4 of close games, so this was a chance to get him some PT and see what he could provide the team.

Fast forward to season's end- my son led the team in steals (3.2), our post player emerged 2nd in pts (7.8) allowing our other guard become more facilitator (4.4 ast), and the former benchwarmer was 2nd in rebounds (5.9). Now, this didn't happen because we let them play in the 2nd half of a couple blowouts. But that exposure allowed them the opportunity to develop into contributors. We were in a dog fight game 4, but my son was fearless manning up with their significantly bigger PG (6 steals, who knows how many turnovers created). Our raw post player struggled with a post player also much bigger than him, but snuck in 5 pts amongst the trees. And our prior bench warmer pulled in 6 rebounds amidst those same trees. Resulting in a 25-24 buzzer beater. That progression continued on for each through the season.

Now, is that exactly what we would've done with a different team? No, but we would have used it as an opportunity for others to develop skills they had demonstrated up to that point. Competing is important, but there is a point in which the priority changes, and while that varies 20-2 or 20-4 of a middle school game is one. Wins of 35-10 and 36-12 paired with development of our secondary players instead of 40-4 with a continued focus on our stars is a no brainer.

I think we now have the makings of a championship team this year and it's because of how we managed last season. Our best 2 players are unchanged, but now they're not tasked with doing everything. They have specialists around them that are working on new skills, allowing them to do what that game calls for. We have a defensive specialist, that's now also developed a 3 pt shot. We have a rebounding specialist, that's now also capable of playing tight d without fouling out in 2 mins. And we have a 3rd primary scorer, that's also now a full court threat, both handling the ball and creating turnovers on the press. We'll see what our 2 newcomers bring to the table this season.
I disagree. The core of it is that you think "there is nothing to be gained" while I know that there was and it was achieved to a large degree. I saw exactly what I wanted to see as the game progressed in improvement from them. This was mostly on fast breaks but also in running the offense. Partly because of their athletic ability but also largely because they were the only two players (aside from my non-athletic player) that were with me lasy year, thus they have a better understanding of the offense and they were showing how it works against an opponent in ways I can not replicate in practice. My main goal was to refine my two best players that if the opponent we play tonight is a much tougher one, they will be ready. I feel the opportunity for me to have them recall back to the game seeing how it works and how effective it is when done right- can help me further develop them in practice in ways that them just playing in a game will not do.

IF my goal was to run up the score then I would agree with each one of you of the criticism I have had here on this decision. However, that was NOT my goal. I had a very specific reason to keep them in and I made a lot of progress in achieving those goals by keeping them in. IF I made it a statement that I would keep my two best players in all season long, again, I would agree with all the criticism leveled at me. However, that is NOT my plan. This is literally the second game of the season. I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time. I will adjust my substitutions as the seasons and games progress based on what I think is of the greatest benefit to the players and team.

In as much as me getting them championship ready, in 3rd grade there was no championship but we had a winning season (did not keep track of the W-L but we definitely won more than lost), 4th grade, different roster = league championship. 5th grade, different roster again = league championship and two tournament championships. 6th grade starting off pretty well. But more importantly, I know I am impacting these kids for the better in their lives. Sure, getting better at basketball is important but the first is them getting better at life. From all feedback and responses from parents to the kids themselves- I am doing just that. I could note instance after instance that reflects that.

I believe I am achieving my primary and secondary goals (develop life lessons through sport and develop their basketball skillsets and understanding) and at the same time winning as a nice cherry on the top. If someone can explain to me how I am failing the kids in any way on that... please, go ahead. You may not agree with me but there is plenty of brains involved in the decisions I make.
I've coached a lot of basketball for both middle school and high school. If you need to do something to an opponent in a 34-2 game that you can't replicate in practice, then you don't know what you're doing at practice. I don't care one bit about your tough on the boys schtick. In middle school, when you're up 34-2 your bench should be on the court a lot. Your job as coach is to develop ALL players not just the 3-4 you need to win a championship. No kid gets to high school and starts remembering their middle school championships. Your focus on winning is about you not about the kids. Sorry if this sounds harsh.
 
My main goal was to refine my two best players
Why wouldn't your main goal to be improve all players? The way to do that is with game time. I think that is where most of the comments are coming from. I totally understand you were trying to something in particular but blowouts are a time to get lesser players opportunity so that when they are called upon (injury, quitting by others, whatever) they are ready. If they don't get the time in games they will be lesser for it.

I generally have found at that age group when superior kids are playing vs lesser kids they tend to regress rather than get better. Your two may be different but in 6th grade this is a time to develop everyone. Your goal as coach should be for every player to get better over the course of the season with winning as the byproduct.

The goal as a coach for that age group shouldn't be winning. It should be the byproduct of overall improvement and doing things the right way. That is not saying winning isn't important or that you shouldn't try and win. Those are definitely things that should be strived for.
 
I can't reconcile leaving your best players in when winning 34-2 at the middle school level. As we surveyed our now 6th grade team before the season, is your priority to have fun? or is it to learn the game? develop skills? win? They answered as we expected to which we responded - then that's how we'll coach you. Up to this point, fun's been the priority. Now it's not, as I'd expect for a good 6th grade team.

But if we're blowing out our opponent, there is nothing to be gained from continuing to pound them with our best players. That is the opportunity to develop others. I think back to our first couple games last season, when our priority was 'fun' but we still wanted to compete & win. Going into it we had 2 players that were clearly better than everyone else, our primary ball handlers that always defended the oppositions best. But we won those games rather handedly. Looking back (thank you, gamechanger) we were up 20-2 and 20-4 at half of each game. We used those 2nd halves as opportunities for others, one of our good players was always out there to lead but they had no shooting orders. My son isn't a special offensive player, but he showed a new level of aggression at November practices we hadn't seen in prior years. So we assigned him to their point guard, tasking him with creating as many turnovers as he could. Another player on our team had a growth spurt that year. Before then he just blended in, so he hadn't developed any skills. We tasked the offense with getting him the ball on the block to work on those moves in live game situations. A third player also experienced a growth spurt that year. Unlike the other guy, he hadn't demonstrated useful skills in practice and unlike my son if we tasked him with pressure defense he'd foul out in 2 minutes. But can we develop him as a rebounder? He was a player we never planned to play Q4 of close games, so this was a chance to get him some PT and see what he could provide the team.

Fast forward to season's end- my son led the team in steals (3.2), our post player emerged 2nd in pts (7.8) allowing our other guard become more facilitator (4.4 ast), and the former benchwarmer was 2nd in rebounds (5.9). Now, this didn't happen because we let them play in the 2nd half of a couple blowouts. But that exposure allowed them the opportunity to develop into contributors. We were in a dog fight game 4, but my son was fearless manning up with their significantly bigger PG (6 steals, who knows how many turnovers created). Our raw post player struggled with a post player also much bigger than him, but snuck in 5 pts amongst the trees. And our prior bench warmer pulled in 6 rebounds amidst those same trees. Resulting in a 25-24 buzzer beater. That progression continued on for each through the season.

Now, is that exactly what we would've done with a different team? No, but we would have used it as an opportunity for others to develop skills they had demonstrated up to that point. Competing is important, but there is a point in which the priority changes, and while that varies 20-2 or 20-4 of a middle school game is one. Wins of 35-10 and 36-12 paired with development of our secondary players instead of 40-4 with a continued focus on our stars is a no brainer.

I think we now have the makings of a championship team this year and it's because of how we managed last season. Our best 2 players are unchanged, but now they're not tasked with doing everything. They have specialists around them that are working on new skills, allowing them to do what that game calls for. We have a defensive specialist, that's now also developed a 3 pt shot. We have a rebounding specialist, that's now also capable of playing tight d without fouling out in 2 mins. And we have a 3rd primary scorer, that's also now a full court threat, both handling the ball and creating turnovers on the press. We'll see what our 2 newcomers bring to the table this season.
I disagree. The core of it is that you think "there is nothing to be gained" while I know that there was and it was achieved to a large degree. I saw exactly what I wanted to see as the game progressed in improvement from them. This was mostly on fast breaks but also in running the offense. Partly because of their athletic ability but also largely because they were the only two players (aside from my non-athletic player) that were with me lasy year, thus they have a better understanding of the offense and they were showing how it works against an opponent in ways I can not replicate in practice. My main goal was to refine my two best players that if the opponent we play tonight is a much tougher one, they will be ready. I feel the opportunity for me to have them recall back to the game seeing how it works and how effective it is when done right- can help me further develop them in practice in ways that them just playing in a game will not do.

IF my goal was to run up the score then I would agree with each one of you of the criticism I have had here on this decision. However, that was NOT my goal. I had a very specific reason to keep them in and I made a lot of progress in achieving those goals by keeping them in. IF I made it a statement that I would keep my two best players in all season long, again, I would agree with all the criticism leveled at me. However, that is NOT my plan. This is literally the second game of the season. I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time. I will adjust my substitutions as the seasons and games progress based on what I think is of the greatest benefit to the players and team.

In as much as me getting them championship ready, in 3rd grade there was no championship but we had a winning season (did not keep track of the W-L but we definitely won more than lost), 4th grade, different roster = league championship. 5th grade, different roster again = league championship and two tournament championships. 6th grade starting off pretty well. But more importantly, I know I am impacting these kids for the better in their lives. Sure, getting better at basketball is important but the first is them getting better at life. From all feedback and responses from parents to the kids themselves- I am doing just that. I could note instance after instance that reflects that.

I believe I am achieving my primary and secondary goals (develop life lessons through sport and develop their basketball skillsets and understanding) and at the same time winning as a nice cherry on the top. If someone can explain to me how I am failing the kids in any way on that... please, go ahead. You may not agree with me but there is plenty of brains involved in the decisions I make.
I've coached a lot of basketball for both middle school and high school. If you need to do something to an opponent in a 34-2 game that you can't replicate in practice, then you don't know what you're doing at practice. I don't care one bit about your tough on the boys schtick. In middle school, when you're up 34-2 your bench should be on the court a lot. Your job as coach is to develop ALL players not just the 3-4 you need to win a championship. No kid gets to high school and starts remembering their middle school championships. Your focus on winning is about you not about the kids. Sorry if this sounds harsh.
You don't know me and I don't know you so you don't need to apologize because I don't care enough to need an apology from you. I disagree with you and your attitude.
 
My main goal was to refine my two best players
Why wouldn't your main goal to be improve all players? The way to do that is with game time. I think that is where most of the comments are coming from. I totally understand you were trying to something in particular but blowouts are a time to get lesser players opportunity so that when they are called upon (injury, quitting by others, whatever) they are ready. If they don't get the time in games they will be lesser for it.

I generally have found at that age group when superior kids are playing vs lesser kids they tend to regress rather than get better. Your two may be different but in 6th grade this is a time to develop everyone. Your goal as coach should be for every player to get better over the course of the season with winning as the byproduct.

The goal as a coach for that age group shouldn't be winning. It should be the byproduct of overall improvement and doing things the right way. That is not saying winning isn't important or that you shouldn't try and win. Those are definitely things that should be strived for.
Saying my main goal was likely not the best way of putting that... the goal behind me keeping them in was to work on things I wanted to them to work on and it worked. They did not regress but improved in the areas I was looking for improvement as the game progressed- this also meant progression of all the players as well.

I have developed every kid that I have coached to be much better than they were before they started with me. From the best to the least. I just don't do it exactly as you think I should do it or others- I do it the way I believe it getting the most out of everyone in the end.

As I already said- winning is not my goal. I have a primary goal (developing the boys with life lessons) and a secondary goal (developing their basketball skillsets and understanding). As I said, I care about winning because the kids care about winning. It is silly to me that an adult would think that boys who have said that they want to win and will work hard to win- would be happy to lose to get an extra 2 minutes playing time. To say you don't care about winning is really not caring about what these kids care about. I think that is heartless. Now, as I already said, it isn't my top goal or even second goal... winning is sub servant to those two primary goals. I just went about it a little different this game. By the way, this is the ONLY time I have ever done this. It isn't like a policy of mine. There were several things I wanted them to work out and they did. Great! I also had things I wanted the other boys to work on and they mostly did as well. Great! On to the next game. (tonight)

I reject the idea that me playing my two best players the full game in a blowout in the second game of the season means I am not developing all my players. It just isn't reality.
 
Read these sentences and pretend you're the parent of the last kid on your team. And put yourself in those shoes, don't be influenced by your actual relationship with the parents of the last kid on team: "I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time."

Sorry 11 year old Johnny, wish I could've got you more than a quarter of time tonight but we were only up by 30. Maybe if we were up 40. I wanted you to have a good seat on the bench to watch the kids who know how I want them to play. Besides, you'll be on the bench most of the year anyways so might as well get used to it.

Apologies for the tone. I've read a lot of your stuff. Usually find them entertaining. But as someone also very passionate about youth sports, my mind is blown by this one.
 
I can't reconcile leaving your best players in when winning 34-2 at the middle school level. As we surveyed our now 6th grade team before the season, is your priority to have fun? or is it to learn the game? develop skills? win? They answered as we expected to which we responded - then that's how we'll coach you. Up to this point, fun's been the priority. Now it's not, as I'd expect for a good 6th grade team.

But if we're blowing out our opponent, there is nothing to be gained from continuing to pound them with our best players. That is the opportunity to develop others. I think back to our first couple games last season, when our priority was 'fun' but we still wanted to compete & win. Going into it we had 2 players that were clearly better than everyone else, our primary ball handlers that always defended the oppositions best. But we won those games rather handedly. Looking back (thank you, gamechanger) we were up 20-2 and 20-4 at half of each game. We used those 2nd halves as opportunities for others, one of our good players was always out there to lead but they had no shooting orders. My son isn't a special offensive player, but he showed a new level of aggression at November practices we hadn't seen in prior years. So we assigned him to their point guard, tasking him with creating as many turnovers as he could. Another player on our team had a growth spurt that year. Before then he just blended in, so he hadn't developed any skills. We tasked the offense with getting him the ball on the block to work on those moves in live game situations. A third player also experienced a growth spurt that year. Unlike the other guy, he hadn't demonstrated useful skills in practice and unlike my son if we tasked him with pressure defense he'd foul out in 2 minutes. But can we develop him as a rebounder? He was a player we never planned to play Q4 of close games, so this was a chance to get him some PT and see what he could provide the team.

Fast forward to season's end- my son led the team in steals (3.2), our post player emerged 2nd in pts (7.8) allowing our other guard become more facilitator (4.4 ast), and the former benchwarmer was 2nd in rebounds (5.9). Now, this didn't happen because we let them play in the 2nd half of a couple blowouts. But that exposure allowed them the opportunity to develop into contributors. We were in a dog fight game 4, but my son was fearless manning up with their significantly bigger PG (6 steals, who knows how many turnovers created). Our raw post player struggled with a post player also much bigger than him, but snuck in 5 pts amongst the trees. And our prior bench warmer pulled in 6 rebounds amidst those same trees. Resulting in a 25-24 buzzer beater. That progression continued on for each through the season.

Now, is that exactly what we would've done with a different team? No, but we would have used it as an opportunity for others to develop skills they had demonstrated up to that point. Competing is important, but there is a point in which the priority changes, and while that varies 20-2 or 20-4 of a middle school game is one. Wins of 35-10 and 36-12 paired with development of our secondary players instead of 40-4 with a continued focus on our stars is a no brainer.

I think we now have the makings of a championship team this year and it's because of how we managed last season. Our best 2 players are unchanged, but now they're not tasked with doing everything. They have specialists around them that are working on new skills, allowing them to do what that game calls for. We have a defensive specialist, that's now also developed a 3 pt shot. We have a rebounding specialist, that's now also capable of playing tight d without fouling out in 2 mins. And we have a 3rd primary scorer, that's also now a full court threat, both handling the ball and creating turnovers on the press. We'll see what our 2 newcomers bring to the table this season.
I disagree. The core of it is that you think "there is nothing to be gained" while I know that there was and it was achieved to a large degree. I saw exactly what I wanted to see as the game progressed in improvement from them. This was mostly on fast breaks but also in running the offense. Partly because of their athletic ability but also largely because they were the only two players (aside from my non-athletic player) that were with me lasy year, thus they have a better understanding of the offense and they were showing how it works against an opponent in ways I can not replicate in practice. My main goal was to refine my two best players that if the opponent we play tonight is a much tougher one, they will be ready. I feel the opportunity for me to have them recall back to the game seeing how it works and how effective it is when done right- can help me further develop them in practice in ways that them just playing in a game will not do.

IF my goal was to run up the score then I would agree with each one of you of the criticism I have had here on this decision. However, that was NOT my goal. I had a very specific reason to keep them in and I made a lot of progress in achieving those goals by keeping them in. IF I made it a statement that I would keep my two best players in all season long, again, I would agree with all the criticism leveled at me. However, that is NOT my plan. This is literally the second game of the season. I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time. I will adjust my substitutions as the seasons and games progress based on what I think is of the greatest benefit to the players and team.

In as much as me getting them championship ready, in 3rd grade there was no championship but we had a winning season (did not keep track of the W-L but we definitely won more than lost), 4th grade, different roster = league championship. 5th grade, different roster again = league championship and two tournament championships. 6th grade starting off pretty well. But more importantly, I know I am impacting these kids for the better in their lives. Sure, getting better at basketball is important but the first is them getting better at life. From all feedback and responses from parents to the kids themselves- I am doing just that. I could note instance after instance that reflects that.

I believe I am achieving my primary and secondary goals (develop life lessons through sport and develop their basketball skillsets and understanding) and at the same time winning as a nice cherry on the top. If someone can explain to me how I am failing the kids in any way on that... please, go ahead. You may not agree with me but there is plenty of brains involved in the decisions I make.
I've coached a lot of basketball for both middle school and high school. If you need to do something to an opponent in a 34-2 game that you can't replicate in practice, then you don't know what you're doing at practice. I don't care one bit about your tough on the boys schtick. In middle school, when you're up 34-2 your bench should be on the court a lot. Your job as coach is to develop ALL players not just the 3-4 you need to win a championship. No kid gets to high school and starts remembering their middle school championships. Your focus on winning is about you not about the kids. Sorry if this sounds harsh.
You don't know me and I don't know you so you don't need to apologize because I don't care enough to need an apology from you. I disagree with you and your attitude.
Fair enough. I just hope you realize you're cheating a lot of kids experience to make it about what you want. Again, when kids get in high school they don't give a rats behind what they accomplished in middle school sports. You aren't Dean Smith here.
 
Fair enough. I just hope you realize you're cheating a lot of kids experience to make it about what you want. Again, when kids get in high school they don't give a rats behind what they accomplished in middle school sports. You aren't Dean Smith here.
You know... you might be right. Maybe I am cheating the kids. But if I am, it is really odd that I have had every kid I have coached come back the next year and want to be on my team with one exception which was this year- the kid decided he liked volleyball better and wanted to play club volleyball before school volleyball season and didn't want to give up scouts either so he decided to no longer play basketball. It would be kind of odd that the only reason I know that is because the Mother reached out to me and wanted to let me know how much she appreciated me coaching him, how much he liked me coaching him and that she thought I was a great coach. It is kind of odd how me cheating players has all the boys in the entire grade who have not been on my teams agree that they wished they were on my team. It is super odd that I had boys that were on my team and then were changed to another team tell me how they missed it or even how they hated being on another team and wished they were still on my team. It must be crazy odd that two several of my players this season have voiced how happy they were to be on my team. It is just way odd that one of the boys, who his HC told me last year gave up on the team and basketball is one of the most engaged, committed and eager players this year. Constantly asking me for feedback and how he can improve. Clearly all these boys feel cheated and are giving up on basketball because of me- they just have really odd ways of expressing that.

If I am cheating these kids, it also has to be very odd that I have a parent, of a kid that was one of the least skilled on my team last year, beg me to get him moved to my team. Obviously that father likes his son being cheated. It is really odd how before the season started, I had several parents talk to me and express how they hoped that I would be coaching their son in basketball this year. I mean, these parents clearly want their children to fail. It was really odd that pretty much every parent involved in basketball in the grade just assumed I was in control of basketball for the grade and would be coaching the A team and I had to explain that that was not how it worked. It continues to be odd that I had another parent reach out to me to express their disappointment that I was not coaching their kid this year when the rosters came out. It has to be insanely odd that several parents of the kids that made the A team were upset that I was not coaching the A team. I mean, clearly they want their children to be cheated too.

If I am cheating these kids, I got to say, it is very odd that parents of other grades in the school have on numerous occasions complimented me as a coach in some way or another. It is very odd that almost all the refs like me and are excited to ref my games- because they clearly think I am cheating the kids as well, maybe they just don't care? Sure, the one ref last night was an exception- I will give you that. It is super odd that on several occasions I have had opposing coaches and administrators of tournaments make it a point to compliment me in very genuine ways on my coaching. It is just plain odd that I am highly respected as a coach in the school at large and all those involved in the school including the AD.

But yea, you are probably right. I likely have fooled all of these stakeholders that actually know me, have seen and heard me coach, have been involved as one of my players or wish they were because of watching their peers on my teams, all the various parents and others involved around basketball but I did not fool you. You obviously see through it all and know everything about how I am cheating the kids and making it about what I want in my arrogant quest to be a junior Dean Smith based on how I handled the substitution of one game and that you don't like my being 'hard and tough'.

Or.... maybe you are making assumptions based on your own bias and hang ups. Maybe you are the arrogant one that demeans someone online that they don't know because you feel self-righteous in doing so. Maybe you are just a jerk. Maybe a lot of things. I don't know because I don't know you. I don't have near enough information to make such damning determinations based off of a message board like you apparently feel comfortable doing.

What I do know is that I am impacting these boys for the better in their lives which is my first and most important goal for me. I also know that I am developing them better in their basketball skillset and understanding better than a very, very, very large majority of the coaches in youth today. And yea, my teams do tend to win. With my knowledge that I am making a positive influence in these kids lives that will in a small way better them for the rest of their lives, helping them get better at basketball and we are also winning- my conscious is absolutely clean and I don't give a crap about what you think. Certainly not when you come attacking me as you have. Disagree with me, fine, like others have, but don't attack me like that. It makes you look like the very thing you are trying to paint me as.
 
Read these sentences and pretend you're the parent of the last kid on your team. And put yourself in those shoes, don't be influenced by your actual relationship with the parents of the last kid on team: "I do not think that I need to automatically sit my best players as a way to develop my lesser players. Even more so when I don't think that the game time is as beneficial as it is for my two better players at this time."

Sorry 11 year old Johnny, wish I could've got you more than a quarter of time tonight but we were only up by 30. Maybe if we were up 40. I wanted you to have a good seat on the bench to watch the kids who know how I want them to play. Besides, you'll be on the bench most of the year anyways so might as well get used to it.

Apologies for the tone. I've read a lot of your stuff. Usually find them entertaining. But as someone also very passionate about youth sports, my mind is blown by this one.
Go ahead and read my last message above. Then explain to me how they are all wrong and you are right.
 
Oh... I forgot one more thing that is really odd.... one of my best players on my team was on my team last year for the first year. He was for the most part, a liability. His shot was erratic at best. He had no aggressiveness at all, if he got the ball anywhere near the paint, he would immediately dribble away. His ball control was spotty as well. Defensively, a liability on ball but could get some steals as he has some natural instinct and quick reflexes. It was his hard work that got him there to being a very good shot, a good ball handler (would be a great ball handler if I can get him better on his right hand which is a goal of mine for him this year), is very aggressive now to the point that I am actually trying to get him to open up to passing more and be a complete offensive threat, much improved on ball defense as well but it is odd how I didn't stand in his way and hold him back because he wasn't one of my better players to begin the year. He went from someone that would not have a shot at being on the A team to someone I believe it is a mistake his is not on the A team now. Very odd stuff.
 
I suggest 2 things

#1 consider opinions that don't align with your bias
#2 chill
1- I do, see all the other posts that disagree with me and I consider them and engage with the poster when they don't take swipes at me, condescend to me or whatever else.
2- How am I the one that needs to chill and people telling me "it is a no brainer" like you or this other guy telling me I am cheating the kids for my own arrogant Dean Smith wet dream?

No. I take this seriously. I invest in these kids from the best player down to the least skilled. I care for and love these boys. I promise you, I put more time and energy into not letting these kids down in any way, shape or fashion. I am driven for that because I was let down as a kid in the coaching I got and I refuse to do that to any kid. I hate it when I hear "it is only 4th grade basketball" or whatever. No, it isn't. It is kids lives. If you are not investing into their lives then you are doing it wrong. I am fine if someone disagrees with me but I take issue if you are going to be a jerk about it and expect me to lay down and say 'Oh, you are so right, and I am wrong and a scumbag ruining kids basketball careers, please teach me your ways oh wise one." Nope. Sorry. Not going to happen.
 
I suggest 2 things

#1 consider opinions that don't align with your bias
#2 chill
1- I do, see all the other posts that disagree with me and I consider them and engage with the poster when they don't take swipes at me, condescend to me or whatever else.
2- How am I the one that needs to chill and people telling me "it is a no brainer" like you or this other guy telling me I am cheating the kids for my own arrogant Dean Smith wet dream?

No. I take this seriously. I invest in these kids from the best player down to the least skilled. I care for and love these boys. I promise you, I put more time and energy into not letting these kids down in any way, shape or fashion. I am driven for that because I was let down as a kid in the coaching I got and I refuse to do that to any kid. I hate it when I hear "it is only 4th grade basketball" or whatever. No, it isn't. It is kids lives. If you are not investing into their lives then you are doing it wrong. I am fine if someone disagrees with me but I take issue if you are going to be a jerk about it and expect me to lay down and say 'Oh, you are so right, and I am wrong and a scumbag ruining kids basketball careers, please teach me your ways oh wise one." Nope. Sorry. Not going to happen.
Define, chill.
 
Fair enough. I just hope you realize you're cheating a lot of kids experience to make it about what you want. Again, when kids get in high school they don't give a rats behind what they accomplished in middle school sports. You aren't Dean Smith here.
You know... you might be right. Maybe I am cheating the kids. But if I am, it is really odd that I have had every kid I have coached come back the next year and want to be on my team with one exception which was this year- the kid decided he liked volleyball better and wanted to play club volleyball before school volleyball season and didn't want to give up scouts either so he decided to no longer play basketball. It would be kind of odd that the only reason I know that is because the Mother reached out to me and wanted to let me know how much she appreciated me coaching him, how much he liked me coaching him and that she thought I was a great coach. It is kind of odd how me cheating players has all the boys in the entire grade who have not been on my teams agree that they wished they were on my team. It is super odd that I had boys that were on my team and then were changed to another team tell me how they missed it or even how they hated being on another team and wished they were still on my team. It must be crazy odd that two several of my players this season have voiced how happy they were to be on my team. It is just way odd that one of the boys, who his HC told me last year gave up on the team and basketball is one of the most engaged, committed and eager players this year. Constantly asking me for feedback and how he can improve. Clearly all these boys feel cheated and are giving up on basketball because of me- they just have really odd ways of expressing that.

If I am cheating these kids, it also has to be very odd that I have a parent, of a kid that was one of the least skilled on my team last year, beg me to get him moved to my team. Obviously that father likes his son being cheated. It is really odd how before the season started, I had several parents talk to me and express how they hoped that I would be coaching their son in basketball this year. I mean, these parents clearly want their children to fail. It was really odd that pretty much every parent involved in basketball in the grade just assumed I was in control of basketball for the grade and would be coaching the A team and I had to explain that that was not how it worked. It continues to be odd that I had another parent reach out to me to express their disappointment that I was not coaching their kid this year when the rosters came out. It has to be insanely odd that several parents of the kids that made the A team were upset that I was not coaching the A team. I mean, clearly they want their children to be cheated too.

If I am cheating these kids, I got to say, it is very odd that parents of other grades in the school have on numerous occasions complimented me as a coach in some way or another. It is very odd that almost all the refs like me and are excited to ref my games- because they clearly think I am cheating the kids as well, maybe they just don't care? Sure, the one ref last night was an exception- I will give you that. It is super odd that on several occasions I have had opposing coaches and administrators of tournaments make it a point to compliment me in very genuine ways on my coaching. It is just plain odd that I am highly respected as a coach in the school at large and all those involved in the school including the AD.

But yea, you are probably right. I likely have fooled all of these stakeholders that actually know me, have seen and heard me coach, have been involved as one of my players or wish they were because of watching their peers on my teams, all the various parents and others involved around basketball but I did not fool you. You obviously see through it all and know everything about how I am cheating the kids and making it about what I want in my arrogant quest to be a junior Dean Smith based on how I handled the substitution of one game and that you don't like my being 'hard and tough'.

Or.... maybe you are making assumptions based on your own bias and hang ups. Maybe you are the arrogant one that demeans someone online that they don't know because you feel self-righteous in doing so. Maybe you are just a jerk. Maybe a lot of things. I don't know because I don't know you. I don't have near enough information to make such damning determinations based off of a message board like you apparently feel comfortable doing.

What I do know is that I am impacting these boys for the better in their lives which is my first and most important goal for me. I also know that I am developing them better in their basketball skillset and understanding better than a very, very, very large majority of the coaches in youth today. And yea, my teams do tend to win. With my knowledge that I am making a positive influence in these kids lives that will in a small way better them for the rest of their lives, helping them get better at basketball and we are also winning- my conscious is absolutely clean and I don't give a crap about what you think. Certainly not when you come attacking me as you have. Disagree with me, fine, like others have, but don't attack me like that. It makes you look like the very thing you are trying to paint me as.

You don't get it. At all. I'm sure all the kids, parents, and even the refs (LOL) are celebrating your greatness and not sure why you need to keep adding more stories to justify your actions. I don't think you know what hard and tough are. You really paint yourself in this thread like the psycho dad coaching his own kid and living through him. My apologies if I'm misreading you but I doubt I am.

Coach however you want. But the best coaches at the middle school level will develop skills for all players and give everyone chances to play especially in a 34-2 game. They aren't running around talking about rivalries and championships and that kind of nonsense. Good luck collecting another trophy that will be meaningless to everyone but you.

I'll check out of this thread. I have no desire to argue with you and I think you're looking to be told how great you are instead of trying to learn something from others that have been in your shoes.
 
3-0
41-15

Let's just get this out of the way... no, my two best players did not play the entire game. Likely about 60% of the game each and only on the court together for about half of that time. Did that have anything to do with this conversation? Nope. As I pointed out above, this last game as the only time I have ever kept my top players in on a blow out. and I had very specific reasons to doing so. As long as my boys and their parents are good with it- then I don't care what anyone on a message board has to say unless it is respectful disagreement. If you are going to sit in judgement of me when you know nothing and assume you do because of one games substitution then go fly a kite. If you are going to make accusations that I am harming these kids then go screw yourself. But if you disagree with me and have a different perspective- I love it. Bring it on. Let's talk. I will explain what I do and think and why. You do the same. Maybe we end in agreement, maybe we respectfully disagree. Though I am pretty much burnt out on this topic. Moving on...

My assistant got an app for stats that really makes our numbers much better and information usable. The team was much more efficient today than they were yesterday, shooting 67% from the field. My son neared a double double again with 9 points and 7 rebounds adding in 5 steals and 4 assists. He continues to just cause issues for the other teams point guards with just great defense and it starts us off on a lot of fast breaks from turnovers. My other A player had 24 points (again for the third straight game so he is averaging 24) but was much cleaner on offense than last night. I challenged him before the game that I wanted him to pass more and he did- adding in 4 assists as well, which was tied for the most this game with my son. My PG is learning the position. He has some natural ability to recognize and make some great passes but then he also had three really bad passes. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but it is the first time he has ever played PG which I don't understand. If he was on my previous teams, he would have been my backup PG for sure and we would not have lost in our other league playoff game when my PG got sick and we just couldn't get our set offense going... but anyways... he is super eager to learn and is putting all his effort into getting better. There is a lot to work on with offense with the rest of the players as they all tend to really freeze up like deer in headlights when they get the ball... either go into turtle shell, panic and shoot the ball without squaring to the rim or set feet, or just plain hold the ball too long. I did see some good movement out of my big guy- he is a transfer and I think he has a lot of untapped potential as he played rec ball previously and clearly was not coached well. He has a spin on to the rim that was nearly exactly what I want to see from him... just needs a little cleaning up on that and he will be dangerous but it was exciting to see that from him. A big difference from the first two games already. My little trainwreck, gawd bless him, turned and put up a 17 footer which he has absolutely has no hope of making and it fell short by about 5 feet. After the game, I looked at him and tilted my head and he said "I know coach, I thought dribble but then I just shot it- I don't know what happened." which made me laugh. He did get a rebound and went up and fought for another one which was amazing to see from him.

We had 25 defensive rebounds and 3 offensive... which at first was like 'what?!' but then realized that was about 30% of our missed shots so that isn't too bad at all. We had way too many turnovers lead by my son and my PG that we will need to work on. But it was another good performance from the boys. Our next game is Sat and we have two practices this week.
 

You don't get it. At all. I'm sure all the kids, parents, and even the refs (LOL) are celebrating your greatness and not sure why you need to keep adding more stories to justify your actions. I don't think you know what hard and tough are. You really paint yourself in this thread like the psycho dad coaching his own kid and living through him. My apologies if I'm misreading you but I doubt I am.

Coach however you want. But the best coaches at the middle school level will develop skills for all players and give everyone chances to play especially in a 34-2 game. They aren't running around talking about rivalries and championships and that kind of nonsense. Good luck collecting another trophy that will be meaningless to everyone but you.

I'll check out of this thread. I have no desire to argue with you and I think you're looking to be told how great you are instead of trying to learn something from others that have been in your shoes.
Well, there you go.... if you talked to me like that post there then we could have had a great engagement and maybe common understanding. But when you come out swinging, I am not going to be idle and let you connect with my jaw.

If anything on the team, I put more time and effort with the other kids... early on to a fault as my son felt it and communicated that to me. I don't live through my son.... I enjoy my son in whatever he does. I don't push him to do any sport he doesn't want to do (though I have encouraged him to continue with swim for the cross training benefits and because if there is a sport he has the highest ceiling in, it is swim but alas, it is his least favorite sport he is involved in and I think the clock is ticking on it) He is in the driver seat for all the sports decisions he makes. I guide him, encourage him, give him feedback and try to help him make his best decisions but I always make it clear that it is his decisions. Including whether he works on sports on his own time or not. I have encouraged him but do not force him to do anything. Same with my other kids.

I am pretty reflective of myself. I do check myself often and second guess myself in general but very much so when it comes to being an influence over kids. I take it extremely seriously because it is very important to me. I don't look at it like elementary or Jr High years that they don't care about what happens later but an opportunity to be a small part of their lives for the better. I tell those stories because it is hard for me to say I am doing something wrong when almost universally from all angles, I have got nothing but positive feedback.

But again, you throw out this trophy thing that is meaningless to everyone but me. First, I think that is silly. The kids do care about it. They are proud over what they achieved, and they should be. I have also heard from older kids about their own experiences at the school in sport and they very much do care. My nephew, who went to the school and is not a junior asked to help out coaching with me this year. He cares about his years back in Jr High. He cherishes those memories. He wanted to be part of it again now as well as get some service hours to boot. Maybe your kids don't care... did they go to public school? That might be the difference. There is a community in a small private school that makes these kids care much more than what I have seen a public. You throw that out there and it is an attack. You are making assumptions. What am I supposed to do? Not mention that my teams have won championships with different rosters because someone like you will assume that I am living out my life through these kids to win and damn it all for everything else? No. I have stated what my goals are. And I will say it again, but let me change it a bit.... winning is ONLY important to me because it is important to the kids. If we don't win a single game but I stay true to impacting their lives for the better and helping them develop in basketball- so be it. I make very specific decisions on offense and defense because I believe it makes for better development though because it is contrarian, defensively it becomes an advantage that I was surprised to find out.

I am cool if you stay and talk respectfully to me. I have no desire or bandwith to take swipes from someone I don't know and is makig a ton of assumptions with maybe some of their own bias involved but I certainly welcome differing views. It is part of me checking myself and thinking through and fine tuning what choices I make and the whys behind them. I am certainly not the best coach ever but I strive to be the coach that cares the most about the boys I am entrusted with and because I care so much about that, I am going to defend against being attacked on it. I can disagree with someone and still have a good conversation that makes me better which I value. Do that and we are cool. Attack me and you can just go away.
 
11 year old boys barely know if they should change their underwear everyday. When it comes to choosing where to play it often comes down to friends, the cool team, winning, and what’s familiar. Sadly too many parents use those same reasons in their decisions. Note I didn’t list is my kid developing while he enjoys the season.

You care and put time into this. That alone puts you a level above many volunteer parents. We’ll agree to disagree on many of the approaches to handling a team at this age.

If you post all of this stuff just to brag and feel good about yourself, cool. If you legit are looking for feedback and ideas to improve on, I’d suggest letting your guard down a little and dropping the defensive. I’m pretty impressed by the number of veteran coaches who have chimed in and I’ve learned a few things in a short time.

Honest question: why weren’t you the A coach if everyone loves you and holds you in such high regard? I’m gonna be brutally honest in saying I think some of those answers are found in this thread.

Good luck to you, enjoy the ride. They’ll be shaving, caring more about girls, and not wanting to be around parents in the blink of an eye.
 

You don't get it. At all. I'm sure all the kids, parents, and even the refs (LOL) are celebrating your greatness and not sure why you need to keep adding more stories to justify your actions. I don't think you know what hard and tough are. You really paint yourself in this thread like the psycho dad coaching his own kid and living through him. My apologies if I'm misreading you but I doubt I am.

Coach however you want. But the best coaches at the middle school level will develop skills for all players and give everyone chances to play especially in a 34-2 game. They aren't running around talking about rivalries and championships and that kind of nonsense. Good luck collecting another trophy that will be meaningless to everyone but you.

I'll check out of this thread. I have no desire to argue with you and I think you're looking to be told how great you are instead of trying to learn something from others that have been in your shoes.
Well, there you go.... if you talked to me like that post there then we could have had a great engagement and maybe common understanding. But when you come out swinging, I am not going to be idle and let you connect with my jaw.

If anything on the team, I put more time and effort with the other kids... early on to a fault as my son felt it and communicated that to me. I don't live through my son.... I enjoy my son in whatever he does. I don't push him to do any sport he doesn't want to do (though I have encouraged him to continue with swim for the cross training benefits and because if there is a sport he has the highest ceiling in, it is swim but alas, it is his least favorite sport he is involved in and I think the clock is ticking on it) He is in the driver seat for all the sports decisions he makes. I guide him, encourage him, give him feedback and try to help him make his best decisions but I always make it clear that it is his decisions. Including whether he works on sports on his own time or not. I have encouraged him but do not force him to do anything. Same with my other kids.

I am pretty reflective of myself. I do check myself often and second guess myself in general but very much so when it comes to being an influence over kids. I take it extremely seriously because it is very important to me. I don't look at it like elementary or Jr High years that they don't care about what happens later but an opportunity to be a small part of their lives for the better. I tell those stories because it is hard for me to say I am doing something wrong when almost universally from all angles, I have got nothing but positive feedback.

But again, you throw out this trophy thing that is meaningless to everyone but me. First, I think that is silly. The kids do care about it. They are proud over what they achieved, and they should be. I have also heard from older kids about their own experiences at the school in sport and they very much do care. My nephew, who went to the school and is not a junior asked to help out coaching with me this year. He cares about his years back in Jr High. He cherishes those memories. He wanted to be part of it again now as well as get some service hours to boot. Maybe your kids don't care... did they go to public school? That might be the difference. There is a community in a small private school that makes these kids care much more than what I have seen a public. You throw that out there and it is an attack. You are making assumptions. What am I supposed to do? Not mention that my teams have won championships with different rosters because someone like you will assume that I am living out my life through these kids to win and damn it all for everything else? No. I have stated what my goals are. And I will say it again, but let me change it a bit.... winning is ONLY important to me because it is important to the kids. If we don't win a single game but I stay true to impacting their lives for the better and helping them develop in basketball- so be it. I make very specific decisions on offense and defense because I believe it makes for better development though because it is contrarian, defensively it becomes an advantage that I was surprised to find out.

I am cool if you stay and talk respectfully to me. I have no desire or bandwith to take swipes from someone I don't know and is makig a ton of assumptions with maybe some of their own bias involved but I certainly welcome differing views. It is part of me checking myself and thinking through and fine tuning what choices I make and the whys behind them. I am certainly not the best coach ever but I strive to be the coach that cares the most about the boys I am entrusted with and because I care so much about that, I am going to defend against being attacked on it. I can disagree with someone and still have a good conversation that makes me better which I value. Do that and we are cool. Attack me and you can just go away.
Winning is only important to you because it's important to the kids? Listen to yourself, man. These kids are what 10-12 years old. They have no clue about coaching and what should be important. And no one is saying don't try to win but you are 90% focused on that and clearly don't care about the kids that are "liabilities" as you've called them. Hell, go back and read the thread where you talk about installing a Triangle and 2 defense at this age. This is nothing more than you pretending to be a great coach by shutting down someone elses best player(s). That has nothing to do with coaching at that age nor does it develop players. It's about you trying to collect trophies and justifying it by saying the kids wants them.

There are several pages here of you bragging about tactics, wins, and trophies. Re-read the thread man. Again, if you can't play the end of the bench in a 34-2 game in YOUTH basketball then you really shouldn't be coaching at all.
 
Winning is only important to you because it's important to the kids? Listen to yourself, man. These kids are what 10-12 years old. They have no clue about coaching and what should be important. And no one is saying don't try to win but you are 90% focused on that and clearly don't care about the kids that are "liabilities" as you've called them. Hell, go back and read the thread where you talk about installing a Triangle and 2 defense at this age. This is nothing more than you pretending to be a great coach by shutting down someone elses best player(s). That has nothing to do with coaching at that age nor does it develop players. It's about you trying to collect trophies and justifying it by saying the kids wants them.

There are several pages here of you bragging about tactics, wins, and trophies. Re-read the thread man. Again, if you can't play the end of the bench in a 34-2 game in YOUTH basketball then you really shouldn't be coaching at all.
I am done with you. This isn't a conversation, it is a condemnation. You have your mind made up and there is no actual discussion here. Just you using me as a punching bag. You have no respect for me and that is fine, I don't have any for you. I know who I am and what I do with these kids and everyone around me, including the kids, knows as well. Including the kids that are least skilled. I guess I am making it up when the one of the least skilled Dads in the grade begged me to do something to change the rosters to coach his son... because you know, he really enjoys a coach who doesn't care about his son. Go ahead and hit the door like you said you were. This is pointless and nothing but negative.
 
We got creamed.

39-21

What pissed me off was that the coach (father of the super star) kept him in the whole game until less than 2 minutes to go which to me is such a jerkoff move. You are leading by 20 and especially when I put my entire lesser lineup in.... like, really, you are keeping him in? Jerk.
Some perspective
 
We got creamed.

39-21

What pissed me off was that the coach (father of the super star) kept him in the whole game until less than 2 minutes to go which to me is such a jerkoff move. You are leading by 20 and especially when I put my entire lesser lineup in.... like, really, you are keeping him in? Jerk.
Some perspective
Fair. And I am quite aware (remember) this.

Two things. First, I do think there is a difference on elementary development league with a guarantee of equal playing time and Jr High winning league with no guarantee of playing time (Yes, I am obsessed with winning, I know, but that is what the description basically is from both the leagues and the school).

After that game, I asked around and especially in a coach's FB group I am in about it for feedback. I wanted to check myself. The feedback was largely in favor of him not being a jerk with a healthy amount of "I might not have done it but there could be a lot of reasons why....." most of which was centered around "maybe he wanted to work on something" which made sense to me and after reflection, I was not offended by it and saw how it could be useful. In fact, it was likely that feedback that probably lead me to the decision of that game that "Yes, we are up but there are things that they are not clicking on together, I want to play them more in this game as I think we can clean it up for the future games." The fact that it was the same school was kind of an accident, but I would lie if I didn't smile at the.... what is that.... irony? Sure, there were some who said it was a jerk move, just a couple have branded me here. But good discussion had me broaden how I thought about it and I changed my position. Being that I was offended then, I can understand the view point of thinking it is a jerk move. I did too. But at the same time, I never treated the coach poorly or condemned him or anything. In fact, I actually ended up becoming pretty good friends with his brother funny enough.

After that reflection that I had after all that discussion, I still would not do that in a developmental league, but I think it is fair game in Jr High.
 

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