Collectively, A Thread To Celebrate Our Kids Athletic Accomplishments (2 Viewers)

[The Z Machine]

It's not up to the club what league they play in.

It kind of is when they are dropping A-guys down so they win to stay in the league they are in rather than letting the actual players on the team decide the proper spot for them to be in.

I agree. I think it's a disservice to those kids putting in the work during the week only to lose out on playing time.

 

[El Floppo]

Different point of view ....having A team level kids play down with The B team allows those kids the opportunity to play at a higher level which is great for their development. Getting blown out every week sucks and is not great for a kid's development.

Sure, they should be playing against kids that are at or about their level- but if I had a choice I would rather have them playing at a higher level with kids who can handle it like this.

 

[Gally]

Different point of view ....having A team level kids play down with The B team allows those kids the opportunity to play at a higher level which is great for their development. Getting blown out every week sucks and is not great for a kid's development.

Sure, they should be playing against kids that are at or about their level- but if I had a choice I would rather have them playing at a higher level with kids who can handle it like this.

But they won 12-1 with the A kids. That doesn't seem ideal either.


ETA: I agree that playing with and seeing it done well can be a benefit but I would prefer that to be worked in joint practices within the club. You can divy up the two teams to make them even and help everyone during practice time/scrimmage.

 

[The Z Machine]

BTW, the parents only really have 1 option here and that is to try and find another club that is willing to take the kid. In the limited time I've had in this scene, that's easier said than done unless they are crazy good, academy prospects.

 

[The Z Machine]

Different point of view ....having A team level kids play down with The B team allows those kids the opportunity to play at a higher level which is great for their development. Getting blown out every week sucks and is not great for a kid's development.

Sure, they should be playing against kids that are at or about their level- but if I had a choice I would rather have them playing at a higher level with kids who can handle it like this.

But they won 12-1 with the A kids. That doesn't seem ideal either.


ETA: I agree that playing with and seeing it done well can be a benefit but I would prefer that to be worked in joint practices within the club. You can divy up the two teams to make them even and help everyone during practice time/scrimmage.

The A kids really only played the 1st quarter aside from the goalie. But putting in 4 goals in the 20 min quarter to start the match can demoralize the opposition pretty quickly.

BTW, A team and B team don't practice together. Different coaches even.

 

[Chadstroma]

My son finally got selected for his club team for the second time this season (soccer). The team isn't doing well and even though they have like 22 kids, they are now bringing players from the A team to play in the B team matches because the B team was getting crushed. Anyway, yesterday they won 12-1 and he played the entire game at left back. After the 1st quarter where a A team striker put in 4, they played the B team players nearly the entire match. Having a better goalie really helped, but also just having more dangerous players on the field helped. Some of those A team 13 year old boys are really big, like adult sized. My son won't be there for a few years yet, even in one more year when he's 13. He played decently and got a shout out from the coach in the team meeting after the game.

Before this weekend, he was getting kinda down about playing saying that he didn't want to go to games. Mostly I think because they were getting smoked, but his interest in soccer may be fading.

When you talk to him about how he feel about soccer and not wanting to go to the games what does he say?

I tell him he has to step up otherwise he's a major disappointment to me and to the family.

Obviously I'm kidding. I just told him that he should play out the season and see how he feels at the end. He acknowledged that it was nice to win a game.

I was asking about what he is saying and expressing. You said you think it is mostly because they are getting smoked but that is interest may be fading. When you talk to him about all of it what are you getting from him in that conversation?

 

[Chadstroma]

BTW, the parents only really have 1 option here and that is to try and find another club that is willing to take the kid. In the limited time I've had in this scene, that's easier said than done unless they are crazy good, academy prospects.

It is also probably important to remind everyone that this is not the US but Europe. I have no clue about the differences and even more so when it comes to soccer but I have to imagine there is a metric ton of differences from big and small things all over the place.

 

[Chadstroma]

Much better meet today.

My older son dropped time in three of his five events (50 Fly, 50 Back, 50 Breast) and had a 1st, three 2nd and a 3rd place finish. The odd thing was that his 1st place was in the Back stroke which is usually his weakest stroke as he just prefers to not swim it much. After his one practice this week, he had a rash and scratched it to an open wound so we held him out of Thursday and Friday practice. So, this was one practice and the second meet for him for the season.

My younger son dropped significant time in three of his events (50 Breast -2.36, 50 Free -2.32 and 100 IM -8.73) getting a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th place finish in his events so it seems like it might be starting to click for him.

Older son also ended up Runner Up for total points for 12U boys at the meet. One of the coaches had his trophy for him at practice yesterday.

 

[El Floppo]

Floppinha has won 3 of her last 4 matches. Only loss coming in first round of playoffs in a tiebreak vs a beatable opponent that would have won them the overall team match and moving forward in playoffs (she apparently had a rough day outside of tennis and was very emotional through the first set...playing poorly, by her admission).

As it is, they were put in the consolation bracket and are now playing for the consolation "championship" on Tues. Again, her opponent is beatable- floppinha lost in a tie break to her earlier in the season.

She had a weird/bad 1 match tourney over the weekend that ill get into another time. She lost, but played really well in stretches.

Today, she bsolutely tore her opponent apart in the HS consolation championship, 6-0, 6-2.

She had lost to this girl in a tiebreak in the third match of the season, after having played the 2 best players in the league to open up her HS career...and got smoked by both. She went into that third match in a defeated and bad headspace and sounds like didnt play as well as shes capable. Sounds like she did today though!

Closed the season winning 4 of 5 and setting herself up well for next season. Super proud of the kid for righting the ship for herself and learning over the season. I saw a difference over the weekend, despite the loss...i hope she feels it too.

 

[Chadstroma]

Dual meet with one of the better clubs in the area.

Older son had three events- 50 Free, 50 Fly and Free Relay- 1st place in all by good margin and the relay team that he anchored absolutely crushed their A team and finished before their B team got to their last leg. He cut a little time off his free. His relay team looks good. For the first time my son is on a complete relay team that can do some damage with all three other swimmers being strong.

Little guy had two events- 50 Free and 50 Back. He cut somewhere around 2 seconds off his Free which follows a significant drop from this weekend. His starts are significantly better than last season along with his underwater streamlines have also noticeably improved. His brother was more advanced than he is at this age as his older brother was more consistent on improvement, but it really does seem that there are things that is just now working for him that were struggles so he is having big jumps in improvements which is great to see for him.

 

[Gally]

Fall Exit Interview Results:

Coach asks Gally Jr how he thought the Fall went: He said it was a bit of struggle but he knows what he needs to do and has a plan to move to the arm side of the rubber as the HC wants. Tells him he is going to work hard and come back in the spring ready to be one of the top pitchers on the team and help the team win games.

Coaches response: My plan was to come in here and cut you but based on that answer I am going to give you a second chance. You came into the fall and were directed to move to the 3B side of the rubber and you kept going back and forth in complete defiance of what I told you to do. I took this as uncoachable and defiant with a lack of respect for me. I was unhappy with most of your outings because you weren't doing what you were told.

So he is still on the team. A couple other nuggets from the coach: "You came in last year as a freshman and were dominant at times. You never gave in and nobody hit you hard. You impressed all through the fall and spring when you were given opportunities. This year you started off the fall just as dominant and then a couple weeks in you started to give up some runs and just weren't effective. Why do you think that is?"

Gally jr, wanted to go with "because you made me switch sides of the rubber as that is exactly when the ineffectiveness started". However he held is tongue and essentially said he knows what he needs to do to get back to that level he was at and will be ready for the spring. I just don't know how a coach could be so oblivious to what is going on. Just baffling to me as a guy that has coached baseball for 30 years. I just couldn't imagine treating my players like this.

The overall consensus from the players is that the head coach is delusional. He talked down to multiple players that wasn't warranted (players know who is good and who is not). He told guys that are expected starters that they were terrible and won't play this year. He asked one player if narcissism ran in his family. He told one transfer OF'er who had 4 HR's and was hitting over .500 for the fall that he wouldn't get any play time this year and that player quit. Just amazing. How could you tell a kid right now that he won't play in the spring? How do you know how things will go with grades, injuries and just underperforming. Seems like it might be better to give things to work on to earn more opportunity but to just flat out tell a guy he won't play seems counterproductive.

Also, as a side note. The pitching coach is no longer on the staff. He backed Gally Jr with staying on the 1B side of the rubber but was shut down by the HC. Don't know if he left on his own accord or if the HC forced him out. Not sure the situation but it doesn't surprise me based on how things have gone.

So it goes without saying that Gally Jr is planning to transfer as soon as this year is done. I did tell him that it was a good sign for playing time that the coach is not cutting him after he planned to. That tells me the coach things he will help and is one of the more talented pitchers on the team. If he didn't think that I don't see him keeping him around if he had gone into the meeting planning to cut him. I told him he now knows how to approach the coach. Essentially do exactly what he asks you to do as there is no room for discussion and if you don't do it he will take it as uncoachable. We talked about the transition and the mental side of letting go of the unreasonable-ness of moving and just buy into it and go 100% to figuring it out. He agrees and is planning to do that. My worry is that it is mentally difficult to do something you know isn't ideal especially if you hit some adversity. That will be his biggest challenge. He came away from the meeting pretty down but after hearing how he treated the other's he was re-energized and ready to put in work. His goal is to be one of their best guys and build his resume to get some offers elsewhere when the year is over.

It's been a tough fall and really sad as everything else he loves. It's just the coach is unreasonable and inflexible to the detriment of his players. It seems worse this year than last but hard to tell for sure.

 

[Chadstroma]

Sounds like the perfect example of the portal being a good thing for athletes.

As you said, he needs to just does what is directed. Do his best this year under that direction so he has playing time first and then the best numbers he can put up for opening doors in the portal. I would reach out to the coach who left... he might end up somewhere that could be a door opened for him and even if he isn't throwing his best as he tries to do what this coach says that coach would have the inside scoop on it all.

 

[Gally]

I would reach out to the coach who left... he might end up somewhere that could be a door opened for him and even if he isn't throwing his best as he tries to do what this coach says that coach would have the inside scoop on it all.

I have already mentioned that to Gally Jr. Reach out, touch base and wish him well.

 

[El Floppo]

Head asplode.

Sorry Gally...what a nightmare when things are so obviously out of your (Jr's) hands, despite him doing everything in his power the right way.

GTFO of dodge asap. Once a transfer happens, Id be tempted to go to the AD and explain why hes leaving.

 

[Gally]

Once a transfer happens, Id be tempted to go to the AD and explain why hes leaving.

I suggested the players band together and go to the AD now..........but I don't think they have a strong enough player to get that organized.

 

[El Floppo]

I really hope the rubber shift doesn't screw up his game.

 

[Chadstroma]

My older son went to basketball tryouts.... played (I am assuming) hard for an hour and half (made the A team) and immediately got in the car and we went to a dual swim meet.
1st in 50 Free
2nd in 50 Fly
1st in Medley Relay

 

[Gally]

I really hope the rubber shift doesn't screw up his game.

It shouldn't if he can mentally get over that hurdle. One of the comments the asst coach made during the meeting was that Gally Jr showed as a 2 way guy that he is really athletic so moving 17 inches on the rubber shouldn't be something that totally derails you. Athletically it shouldn't be an issue to change that and Gally Jr agrees.

His biggest hurdle is mental. He believes he is better from the other side and that moving is not ideal and lesser. In order to improve and be good he needs to get past that mentality and buy in that the move will be good for him. In some ways I think it can benefit him in the long run because the more you can do the better off you are. I told him he needs to commit and can't have that thing in the back of his mind saying I only gave up that hit because I am not on the glove side. Mentally you just won't be as sharp if you don't believe in it. That will be his biggest challenge but I think he can do it.

 

[The Z Machine]

I really hope the rubber shift doesn't screw up his game.

It shouldn't if he can mentally get over that hurdle. One of the comments the asst coach made during the meeting was that Gally Jr showed as a 2 way guy that he is really athletic so moving 17 inches on the rubber shouldn't be something that totally derails you. Athletically it shouldn't be an issue to change that and Gally Jr agrees.

His biggest hurdle is mental. He believes he is better from the other side and that moving is not ideal and lesser. In order to improve and be good he needs to get past that mentality and buy in that the move will be good for him. In some ways I think it can benefit him in the long run because the more you can do the better off you are. I told him he needs to commit and can't have that thing in the back of his mind saying I only gave up that hit because I am not on the glove side. Mentally you just won't be as sharp if you don't believe in it. That will be his biggest challenge but I think he can do it.

GLLLLL. That sounds really tough.

 

[Todem]

I really hope the rubber shift doesn't screw up his game.

It shouldn't if he can mentally get over that hurdle. One of the comments the asst coach made during the meeting was that Gally Jr showed as a 2 way guy that he is really athletic so moving 17 inches on the rubber shouldn't be something that totally derails you. Athletically it shouldn't be an issue to change that and Gally Jr agrees.

His biggest hurdle is mental. He believes he is better from the other side and that moving is not ideal and lesser. In order to improve and be good he needs to get past that mentality and buy in that the move will be good for him. In some ways I think it can benefit him in the long run because the more you can do the better off you are. I told him he needs to commit and can't have that thing in the back of his mind saying I only gave up that hit because I am not on the glove side. Mentally you just won't be as sharp if you don't believe in it. That will be his biggest challenge but I think he can do it.

Mind Blowing stuff. My fear for your son is if he does not get over it mentally he won't have numbers to show a transfer school....not enough tape etc. Just an impossible situation if you ask me. This coach is an utter lunatic. The Portal can be brutal....remind me was he red shirted? If so he is a Red Shirt Freshman this season. That can be a huge blessing because he may need to play one year at a JUCO to then put some tape together to transfer to a 4 year school for his Junior year. I am not feeling good about his situation this season at all. He shouldn't have to change where he stands on the rubber when there was absolutely nothing wrong with his effectiveness doing what he has his entire life. I just don't get it. And also what reasoning was he given to make the change where he stands on the rubber?

I commend him for biting his tongue....I mean what choice does he have right now? I just wonder how long before he explodes though. It's a ticking time bomb to me.

 

[Gally]

.remind me was he red shirted? If so he is a Red Shirt Freshman this season.

Yes. He redshirted last year.

He shouldn't have to change where he stands on the rubber when there was absolutely nothing wrong with his effectiveness doing what he has his entire life. I just don't get it. And also what reasoning was he given to make the change where he stands on the rubber?

The reason is because it hides the ball better to right handed hitters. That's the only reason given. The guy is an old school guy with zero flexibility. As some other examples he won't let his catchers do the new style of on a knee. All have to go old school squat. Infielders also are being forced to go old school field ball between shoulders for almost everything rather than off to the side a bit that seems to be more new school technique. It completely screwed up their SS last year as he went from an awesome fielder to an error machine as he was in his head about it and not just playing. Really sad.

 

[Todem]

.remind me was he red shirted? If so he is a Red Shirt Freshman this season.

Yes. He redshirted last year.

He shouldn't have to change where he stands on the rubber when there was absolutely nothing wrong with his effectiveness doing what he has his entire life. I just don't get it. And also what reasoning was he given to make the change where he stands on the rubber?

The reason is because it hides the ball better to right handed hitters. That's the only reason given. The guy is an old school guy with zero flexibility. As some other examples he won't let his catchers do the new style of on a knee. All have to go old school squat. Infielders also are being forced to go old school field ball between shoulders for almost everything rather than off to the side a bit that seems to be more new school technique. It completely screwed up their SS last year as he went from an awesome fielder to an error machine as he was in his head about it and not just playing. Really sad.

Nightmare. Crazy thing is my sons head coach is old school.....but not with things like that. He is old school with dugout culture, respect, and earning everything. But he has a young staff around him. In fact he added a new pitching coach and OF coach. Both in their mid 20's and my sons hitting and infield coach is a former player from his school and is 24 years old.

I wish him all the luck......he just needs to do his very best to battle thru this, make the best of it and god willing he get's a lot of quality mound time to put his tape together to get the heck out of Dodge for next season.

And again...being Redshirted was a blessing. Having three years of eligibility is a plus in case he has to go JUCO for a year.

 

[Chadstroma]

There was a time trial meet last night and I get to rave about my little guy today.

His progress in swimming has not been nearly on the same trajectory as his older brother even going back to swim lessons. He stalled for a long time just because he hated water on his face. Do I need to explain how hard it is to progress in swimming lessons for a kid when they don't like water on their face?! So frustrating as a father. Going into competitive swim, he has not had as much success as his brother as well.

In the meet last night he did the 50 Fly and cut 1.48 off his PB which is good but on his 50 Free he cut 2.18 off his PB which is a great time cut but the really awesome thing is that he has had big time cuts off all season long starting with his first meet to now:
Oct 11th: .99
Oct 19th: 2.32
Oct 21stL 3.91
Oct 30th: 1.48

Almost 9 seconds off his time in less than 3 weeks. That is huge. His start, underwater and form on the free has improved tremendously this season. Proud of my little guy.

My older son had a horrible meet adding a bunch of time on all his events. However, he does have a head cold where he is all stuffed up and can't breath well plus had a two hour basketball practice before the meet so he gets a bit of grace on that.

He did tell me on the way home something that surprised me. I use to ask him fairly frequently what his favorite sports were as one of the ways I could keep a finger on the pulse of what he was thinking and passion was sports wise. I haven't done that for a while and he offered up an update: He started off saying that soccer was no longer his third favorite sport which in one sense was somewhat surprising as soccer was his favorite sport when he was younger, then got pushed down from football and basketball. Now, it is his least favorite and he does it for 'fun' now. His updated hierarchy of sports is the following:
Football
Basketball
Swim
Volleyball
Track
Soccer

Football has been king for a while. Basketball was third behind soccer for a long time but the surprising thing was swim going from dead last where a couple of seasons ago my guess was that we were likely going to have to drop it to now his third favorite. In another way, it isn't surprising as I have noticed a change in him on motivation and focus on swim this season. The other thing was volleyball moving up from second to last as he played it last season for the first time and apparently enjoyed it a decent amount even over track.