New season within association tryouts...placement Xpectation

[Ugottobekiddingme]

Where do you think your child will fall under this years exhasted tryout evaluations conducted by your association "experienced evaluators" within the community? Moving up...standing still...or this could be the lottery winning ticket?

[Ugottobekiddingme]

This forum question has been T'ed up with a 16" softball all week...tryout's are being conducted...are you satisfied with placements and feel it's the best money spent towards evaluating winter play level?

[InigoMontoya]

I heard a story a couple years ago, about a heated, public argument between a bantam A coach and his brother, whom had been the "experienced evaluator". For all you cynics out there: I'm sure that fact that the kid's dad was on the board had nothing to do with it. I'll leave out the explatives for any young'ns.

BA coach: Why did you put that kid on my team? He's terrible.
Brother: I know that.
BA coach: He can't skate.
Brother: I know that.
BA coach: He can't shoot.
Brother: I know that.
BA coach: He can't handle the puck.
Brother: I know that.
BA coach: He shouldn't be on the A team.
Brother: I know that.
BA coach: If you know all that, then why is he on my A team?
Brother: I changed his evaluation scores in the car, on the way back from the scrimmage.
BA coach: Why did you do that?
Brother: Because you told me to make sure he scored high enough to be on the A team.
BA coach: Oh.

[Shinbone_News]

I heard a story a couple years ago, about a heated, public argument between a bantam A coach and his brother, whom had been the "experienced evaluator". For all you cynics out there: I'm sure that fact that the kid's dad was on the board had nothing to do with it. I'll leave out the explatives for any young'ns.

Proof by personal anecdote is not exactly definitive. That said, of course politics happens. That's why parents who really crave that A team for their bubble kids should get on the right side of politics by volunteering and providing positive support to the association, setting a good example, etc.. Learning about and knowing the game of hockey, without being a belligerent know-it-all. Getting actively involved instead of stewing in anger up in the peanut gallery.

In my experience, there are always plenty of politics and not enough volunteers. Everyone thinks the world is waiting to discover them and will come knocking on the door with a blue ribbon. No one sweeps the sidewalk.

[InigoMontoya]

In my experience there are loads of folks sweeping the sidewalks, decorating the association float for the parade, organizing and coaching kids on a MASH team, repainting the locker rooms at the arena. They are rarely noticed, and certainly not thanked, by those who strut through the rink. I don't think that board members get a pass as being saintly, when, not always, but often, they are undeserving. And I don't think that members that question the boards decisions should be cast to the seventh layer of Hell as constant complainers that don't roll up their sleeves and contribute.

[C-dad]

In my experience there are loads of folks sweeping the sidewalks, decorating the association float for the parade, organizing and coaching kids on a MASH team, repainting the locker rooms at the arena. They are rarely noticed, and certainly not thanked, by those who strut through the rink. I don't think that board members get a pass as being saintly, when, not always, but often, they are undeserving. And I don't think that members that question the boards decisions should be cast to the seventh layer of Hell as constant complainers that don't roll up their sleeves and contribute.

What he said.

[hiptzech]

This forum question has been T'ed up with a 16" softball all week...tryout's are being conducted...are you satisfied with placements and feel it's the best money spent towards evaluating winter play level?

Why don't you just come out with it instead of playing your games....Get it off you chest yourself and quit waiting for someone else to whine. Just a thought.

[Newbie Dad]

One thing that I've seen done is to delay team placement decisions for 3-4 weeks. This is only really practical at the Squirt level since their games don't start until Dec.

For those 3-4 weeks, you basically have some temporary teams, have practices, games, etc... Then after you've had a nice long look at all of the kids, you select teams.

Not flawless by any stretch, but I think better than the approach of having 3-4 tryout sessions right out of the gate, pick teams and never look back.

[ThePuckStopsHere]

One thing that I've seen done is to delay team placement decisions for 3-4 weeks. This is only really practical at the Squirt level since their games don't start until Dec.

For those 3-4 weeks, you basically have some temporary teams, have practices, games, etc... Then after you've had a nice long look at all of the kids, you select teams.

Not flawless by any stretch, but I think better than the approach of having 3-4 tryout sessions right out of the gate, pick teams and never look back.

Huh

[Newbie Dad]

[quote]For those 3-4 weeks, you basically have some temporary teams, have practices, games, etc... Then after you've had a nice long look at all of the kids, you select teams. [/quote]

Rather than saying "games", I should have said internal scrimmages...

[MrBoDangles]

In my experience there are loads of folks sweeping the sidewalks, decorating the association float for the parade, organizing and coaching kids on a MASH team, repainting the locker rooms at the arena. They are rarely noticed, and certainly not thanked, by those who strut through the rink. I don't think that board members get a pass as being saintly, when, not always, but often, they are undeserving. And I don't think that members that question the boards decisions should be cast to the seventh layer of Hell as constant complainers that don't roll up their sleeves and contribute.

More and better training. Less money with no elbow grease. Gotta love Summer Hockey.....

I must look like J.J. Evans.

[Scout716]

I can tell you I made the mistake of being a board member for a 3 year term back when my kids were playing. I took all my past experience, playing, coaching, education, what ever I had. I put everything into being a board member and into doing what I felt was right for a youth program. I have to say I have never seen so much hate towards me by some people. Everyone has different opinions on how to run a tryout, everyone has different opinions assessing bubble players talent, everyone has different opinions on how a team should be run (Development - vs - Winning) For every One self centered "own agenda" board member, there are 10 who are truely doing what they feel is best. Give them the benefit of the doubt. speaking on expereince its not fun being hated. Thxs

[JSR]

I can tell you I made the mistake of being a board member for a 3 year term back when my kids were playing. I took all my past experience, playing, coaching, education, what ever I had. I put everything into being a board member and into doing what I felt was right for a youth program. I have to say I have never seen so much hate towards me by some people. Everyone has different opinions on how to run a tryout, everyone has different opinions assessing bubble players talent, everyone has different opinions on how a team should be run (Development - vs - Winning) For every One self centered "own agenda" board member, there are 10 who are truely doing what they feel is best. Give them the benefit of the doubt. speaking on expereince its not fun being hated. Thxs

Let me guess, your kids were probably pretty good players as well?

[Scout716]

Not sure what that has to do with it, But they each played 3 years of high school hockey and one played Div 3. They played with a Smile, which is what I like to say.

[JSR]

Not sure what that has to do with it, But they each played 3 years of high school hockey and one played Div 3. They played with a Smile, which is what I like to say.

Woah, don't get defensive. What it has to do with it is that you mentioned the hate and vitriol that came at you. My guess was that your kids, on their own merits, were good players because alot of the "hate" tends to stem mostly from petty jealousy...... My guess is you probably worked harder for your association than 95% of the other people in your association, probably did more "good" for your association that 95% of everyone in it, and probably did everything for the benefit of the association and not your own kids BUT you were probably on the receiving of 10 times more hate and vitriol than the laziest, most good for nothing people in your association. Am I right....

[HockeyDad41]

At the association, they haven't had tryouts yet, frankly I don't know why they bother, we already know who is going to be on what team. Benefits of only having 2-3 teams at each level above mites.

[Scout716]

Sorry JSR. thats now the paranoia side of me that has came out of those years (and they were awhile ago) but - in my opinion, you stated it all correct. Thanks for listening.

[scoreandscoreoften]

Thoughts on having a parent coach at the PWA level??? That's what our association decided to do this year.

[Ugottobekiddingme]

This forum question has been T'ed up with a 16" softball all week...tryout's are being conducted...are you satisfied with placements and feel it's the best money spent towards evaluating winter play level?

Why don't you just come out with it instead of playing your games....Get it off you chest yourself and quit waiting for someone else to whine. Just a thought.

That's like throwing out the banana peel during my penalty shot. If your looking for answers, look for "playing games" within your association and in the 4 corners of the board room you might find answers during tryouts. Or just close your eye's and dream of the flower display on the parade float streaming by Mainstreet. Some have figured it out...not you.

[JSR]

Thoughts on having a parent coach at the PWA level??? That's what our association decided to do this year.

If he is quailified, if his son would make the "A" team legitimately whether he was coach or not, and if he does a good job coaching and preparing the team who cares if he is or is not a parent. If one or more of those things is legitimately not true then it's possibly a problem but otherwise if all three are true then anyone who has a problem JUST because the person is a parent is the one who needs to get over themselves. JMHO

[scoreandscoreoften]

Thoughts on having a parent coach at the PWA level??? That's what our association decided to do this year.

If he is quailified, if his son would make the "A" team legitimately whether he was coach or not, and if he does a good job coaching and preparing the team who cares if he is or is not a parent. If one or more of those things is legitimately not true then it's possibly a problem but otherwise if all three are true then anyone who has a problem JUST because the person is a parent is the one who needs to get over themselves. JMHO

Agree, if it was a squirt team where it's supposed to be more about development and they roll the lines, and everyone plays equally. This is PWA where it's about development but, just as much or more about winning. The same old complaints will surface.

More related to the tryout, placement, the subject of this post. Does politics and friendships enter in on who makes the A team when the coach gets to choose the last 3-5 kids. Are there other questions re: the tryout process and placement on teams?

[JSR]

Thoughts on having a parent coach at the PWA level??? That's what our association decided to do this year.

If he is quailified, if his son would make the "A" team legitimately whether he was coach or not, and if he does a good job coaching and preparing the team who cares if he is or is not a parent. If one or more of those things is legitimately not true then it's possibly a problem but otherwise if all three are true then anyone who has a problem JUST because the person is a parent is the one who needs to get over themselves. JMHO

Agree, if it was a squirt team where it's supposed to be more about development and they roll the lines, and everyone plays equally. This is PWA where it's about development but, just as much or more about winning. The same old complaints will surface.

More related to the tryout, placement, the subject of this post. Does politics and friendships enter in on who makes the A team when the coach gets to choose the last 3-5 kids. Are there other questions re: the tryout process and placement on teams?

It shouldn't matter if it's PW's, Bantams, HS or anywhere else provided the thigns I listed are true. A person either is or is not a good coach who is on the up and up whether they are a parent or not. People let their imaginations and own insecurities run way to wild in this sport sometimes. The best coach ANY of my kids has ever had was a parent coach. One of the worst they've ever had was a non-parent coach. I had good parent and not good parent coaches myself growing up and I had good and not good nonparent coaches growing up. People need to stop worrying about whether someone is a parent or not and worry about whether they are a good coach or not.

[Scout716]

AMEN!!!!! Well Said JSR

[scoreandscoreoften]

Again I was trying to stay on subject of this post. Tryouts and placement. So I apologize for not making myself clear. Maybe this will make it easier for you.

Does having a parent coach affect the tryout and placement process when the coach and his staff have input on who makes the team?

I'm looking for thoughts and opinions, not arguing pro or con.

[scoreandscoreoften]

Talking about parent coach vs non parent is a another subject for a new posting. But, I'd be happy to add my two cents. I like many many others have experienced both but, unlike you I did have a bad experience with a parent coach. You evidently haven't experienced that. In my experience, the 3 parent coaches kids played 1st line, PP, and PK. Granted these kids were good but, not the top 3 kids on the team. They were somewhere between 5-10, and not just in my opinion. This caused a lot of problems not only on the team but, for the association too. So, granted, you are correct (and I agree) in principle, having a parent coach at the PWA level can cause huge problems. If the guy can meet your 3 criteria, that's great but, that doesn't mean it will be a good situation.