The dark side of youth sports

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:06 pm

Irish wrote:There are many coaches that favor their own kids - With that said there are also non-parent coaches that favor certain kids too.

Any person that coaches any sport to give their kids an advantage is a joke.

We had two jokers in baseball this past summer. Both kids were hitting .200 or worse.
Guess who were the top two hitters in the batting lineup? Yep!
Guess who pitched? Yep!
Guess who played SS? Yep!
Guess who 2 of 3 catchers were? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the AAA team? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the LL All-star team? Yep!
Guess who the two coaches were all the way through? Yep!
Guess what two guys are on the baseball board? Yeppers!

Flat out wrong.

How about the kids who's dad played college hockey? Or the kids who's brother is a really good player? Don't you love how some kids are automaticially labeled a good skater because who his dad is, or who is brother is? Love it!
Or how about the coaches that played college hockey only to show up and know nothing about coaching? Why do people think it's an automatic that people that played high level hockey are great coaches?

Baseball seems to be worse than hockey in this area ... seeing, experiencing, and hearing all kinds of parent coaches' favoring jrs,

- Jrs starting pitcher in every tournament even though jrs is not the top 3's
- Jrs only play ss, c, p and CF
- Blaming other kids when jrs makes errors
- Jrs cannot pitch, leading team with errors, hitting around #4-5, would end up with a great stat for average performance and go to all-star

This coach favorism hurt kids more in baseball than hockey ... different positions in baseball can seriously hinder kid's development. Guess some coaches understand that

.

Question is when is the age to have non-parent coach for baseball? Sorry this should be a discussion for baseball not hockey.

2legit2quitguy · Post by **2legit2quitguy** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:10 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGaU0MjQFAo

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:19 pm

2legit2quitguy wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGaU0MjQFAo

"My coach sucks!" Of course this does not go with all the parent coaches. My kids' experience in baseball has been great with most of the parent coaches, but some "jokers" really act like what Irish described and maybe worse.

Another interesting observation is that parents fight for coaching positions in baseball, and association has to recruit hockey coaches.

Starbuckmom · Post by **Starbuckmom** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:09 pm

Something that every youth hockey coach should read be it a parent or non-parent coach:
http://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_art ... r_id=80568

HockeyGuy81 · Post by **HockeyGuy81** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:13 pm

Starbuckmom wrote:Something that every youth hockey coach should read be it a parent or non-parent coach:
http://www.minnesotahockey.org/news_art ... r_id=80568

Unfortunately there are many, many parents who say they believe in the things written in that letter, but their words/actions are the complete opposite.

HOCKEYDRIVER · Post by **HOCKEYDRIVER** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:01 pm

It's both parents and coach's. Each game is Game 7 for the cup.
And practice is for the starting point for D1 school's and playing time.
Then the next ? is winning or losing, That brings out even more of peoples true colors. When winning most are happy. Unless, the games are close and the bench gets short. And my kid gets short shifted or passed. Because he needs to get the game winning goal. So I have something to talk about at the rink or work the next day. Then scoring, Is my kid on the line with all the points. Or are the other kids not helping him by passing the puck. Or parents not putting my kids # in the book. When I saw him touch or made the pass for a point.
Not saying all groups are bad, But they are out there.
Remember it's for the KIDS. Coach's and Parents will have the most input to the kids. If one group starts pointing fringers and saying that the other are idiots. What are the kids to do. Who do they pick, Parents or Coaches. I can't wait for my grandson to start playing. So I can start this all over again. Or can I talk him in to hunting and fishing. Hockey is one of the greatest games.
But both groups need to remember. IT'S JUST A GAME, LIFE WILL GO ON. Or will it.
One of the Greatest lines I ever heard was, " pass him the puck,my son has golden hands". That's coming from a coach,(a parent coach). Maybe that's the answer. Get the parents and coaches out of it, and let the kids play.

57special · Post by **57special** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:14 pm

I have coached my sons in soccer, baseball, and hockey. Some situations were earned only because I was the only parent willing to volunteer, others a somewhat more competitive situation. I am constantly second guessing myself regarding my decisions regarding my boys, and try to defer any decisions regarding their playing time to my co-coaches. I also try NOT to be harder on my boys... that's not fair to them.... and ask them every year if they mind that i coach. The eldest says he doesn't, and actually would rather have a jerk that he knows than one he doesn't.

Most parent coaches I've seen are great, but there are always the coaches who are either WAY too hard on their kids and tend to ream them out in front of their team mates or the coaches who show favoritism when it comes to their own. It sucks, and these situations cannot be allowed to continue in any healthy association, whatever the sport.

BTW, most parents are great, but there are sometimes one or two who complain about their son's treatment at the end of the year to the association. Guess who the kids are? The ones who arrive to practice late, have poor practice habits, and are high maintenance in general... their parents usually are the ones who do sweet FA to help in the thankless tasks such as team manager, website manager, etc., and often have no clue about the sport in question.

Irish · Post by **Irish** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:54 pm

Irish wrote:There are many coaches that favor their own kids - With that said there are also non-parent coaches that favor certain kids too.

Any person that coaches any sport to give their kids an advantage is a joke.

We had two jokers in baseball this past summer. Both kids were hitting .200 or worse.
Guess who were the top two hitters in the batting lineup? Yep!
Guess who pitched? Yep!
Guess who played SS? Yep!
Guess who 2 of 3 catchers were? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the AAA team? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the LL All-star team? Yep!
Guess who the two coaches were all the way through? Yep!
Guess what two guys are on the baseball board? Yeppers!

Flat out wrong.

How about the kids who's dad played college hockey? Or the kids who's brother is a really good player? Don't you love how some kids are automaticially labeled a good skater because who his dad is, or who is brother is? Love it!
Or how about the coaches that played college hockey only to show up and know nothing about coaching? Why do people think it's an automatic that people that played high level hockey are great coaches?

I forgot the best come back in youth sports. In most cases the coach or board doesn't have a logical come back so they drop this......
"Why don't you step up to coach or be on the board"? Instead of just answering the questions, they defer to the cowardly response. Leaving most parents gasping for air and asking HUH?

C-dad · Post by **C-dad** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:05 pm

Irish wrote:How about the kids who's dad played college hockey? Or the kids who's brother is a really good player? Don't you love how some kids are automaticially labeled a good skater because who his dad is, or who is brother is? Love it!
Or how about the coaches that played college hockey only to show up and know nothing about coaching? Why do people think it's an automatic that people that played high level hockey are great coaches?

I am involved in an association often cited for favoritism and politics yet...

On my kid's team, there are 3 kids whose dad's played college hockey, two with older brothers playing varsity, yet...we are a C team! And the dads who played in college - are the BEST my kid has ever had as coaches. Just great, level-headed, even tempered, no-favoritism coaches who teach the game. My kid's BEST experience in hockey to date.

Not saying what you cite doesn't happen, but it doesn't have to happen.

JSR · Post by **JSR** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:00 pm

Irish wrote:
Irish wrote:There are many coaches that favor their own kids - With that said there are also non-parent coaches that favor certain kids too.

Any person that coaches any sport to give their kids an advantage is a joke.

We had two jokers in baseball this past summer. Both kids were hitting .200 or worse.
Guess who were the top two hitters in the batting lineup? Yep!
Guess who pitched? Yep!
Guess who played SS? Yep!
Guess who 2 of 3 catchers were? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the AAA team? Yep!
Guess what two kids made the LL All-star team? Yep!
Guess who the two coaches were all the way through? Yep!
Guess what two guys are on the baseball board? Yeppers!

Flat out wrong.

How about the kids who's dad played college hockey? Or the kids who's brother is a really good player? Don't you love how some kids are automaticially labeled a good skater because who his dad is, or who is brother is? Love it!
Or how about the coaches that played college hockey only to show up and know nothing about coaching? Why do people think it's an automatic that people that played high level hockey are great coaches?
I forgot the best come back in youth sports. In most cases the coach or board doesn't have a logical come back so they drop this......
"Why don't you step up to coach or be on the board"? Instead of just answering the questions, they defer to the cowardly response. Leaving most parents gasping for air and asking HUH?

I actually stepped up and did BOTH (coaching and a board position) this year and now the folks who don't like what I have to say are finding new and inventive ways to dismiss and hate me

funmom · Post by **funmom** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:20 pm

If you don't like parent coaching don't move to Forest lake. 99% of teams are coached by dads and all but maybe 1% favor their own kids and
forget about the rest of the kids. This goes for all sports. When the kids get older the teams can't compete with other associations and I think its because of all the dad coaching were they don't help develop all kids. And then you also get kids on teams that shouldn't be but are because dad is friends with their parents.

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:10 pm

funmom wrote:If you don't like parent coaching don't move to Forest lake. 99% of teams are coached by dads and all but maybe 1% favor their own kids and
forget about the rest of the kids. This goes for all sports. When the kids get older the teams can't compete with other associations and I think its because of all the dad coaching were they don't help develop all kids. And then you also get kids on teams that shouldn't be but are because dad is friends with their parents.

FM, the funny thing is that we have been looking at houses around FL. Now you seriously discourage us.

funmom · Post by **funmom** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:33 pm

Mnhockeys , sorry to discourage you from living in or around forestlake because there is alot of nice places to live ,but if you have kids that love to play sports FL is not the area to move to. I hoped for years things would change and get better but they haven't they seem to stay the same or even get worse. I would suggest wbl, Centennial, or blaine if your looking in the northern suburbs.

West Hockey · Post by **West Hockey** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 2:14 pm

Irish says

"I forgot the best come back in youth sports. In most cases the coach or board doesn't have a logical come back so they drop this......
"Why don't you step up to coach or be on the board"? Instead of just answering the questions, they defer to the cowardly response. Leaving most parents gasping for air and asking HUH? "

I am a coach and on the board. I have been accused of favoring my own child, favoring my child's friend, favoring my friend's child, and a host of other bits of nonsense. I'm not saying that Coaches and Board members NEVER show favoritism. But it's rare...very very rare.

Once you become a coach, your perspective on the game changes. You see the team as your responsibility. You want the team to gel, practice hard, and succeed--winning is part of it, but certainly not the only part. It can be a great experience if you have supportive parents.

Once you join the board, you realize that you spend about 98% of your time talking about finances, fundraisers, and scheduling. You spend perhaps 2% of your time dealing with political issues.

So...yes...if you are a whiner and complainer, do yourself a favor and sign up to coach, or join the board.

Irish · Post by **Irish** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:23 am

West Hockey wrote:Irish says
"I forgot the best come back in youth sports. In most cases the coach or board doesn't have a logical come back so they drop this......
"Why don't you step up to coach or be on the board"? Instead of just answering the questions, they defer to the cowardly response. Leaving most parents gasping for air and asking HUH? "
I am a coach and on the board. I have been accused of favoring my own child, favoring my child's friend, favoring my friend's child, and a host of other bits of nonsense. I'm not saying that Coaches and Board members NEVER show favoritism. But it's rare...very very rare.

Once you become a coach, your perspective on the game changes. You see the team as your responsibility. You want the team to gel, practice hard, and succeed--winning is part of it, but certainly not the only part. It can be a great experience if you have supportive parents.

Once you join the board, you realize that you spend about 98% of your time talking about finances, fundraisers, and scheduling. You spend perhaps 2% of your time dealing with political issues.

So...yes...if you are a whiner and complainer, do yourself a favor and sign up to coach, or join the board.

Love it! That's the problem. You spend 98% of your time dealing with finances, fundraisers, and scheduling. Have you ever thought that spending more time focusing on development? I mean 2% dealing with the political issues? Why are there political issues? If everything is running smoothly then no one would be mad.

Maybe look into mid-season coaching grades?
Are the coaches developing kids?
What do the parents think of the coaches?
Equal/fair playing time?
Improvements?
Parents grade Board?

I applaud any parent (s) who devote their time to serve on the board or coach. If so, they have the responsibility to make sure the parents questions and concerns are answered instead of labeling people as whiners. With that said parents have to address issues or concerns in a professional manner.

Defensive Zone · Post by **Defensive Zone** » Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:23 am

This topic is a good one. A friend of mine did coach both his daughter and son separately. I did see him treat his daughter way different than his son. They both clocked a lot of ice time, but he was harder (demanding perfection) on his daughter than his son. No answer why, he just was.
I do believe though if you think your son/daughter is not being given the opportunity to develop in an equal matter that is outlined by your association, you need to talk to the coach and explain your concern. If nothing changes, move up the ladder. Do it sooner than later.

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Mon Dec 26, 2011 9:14 pm

C-dad wrote:
Irish wrote:How about the kids who's dad played college hockey? Or the kids who's brother is a really good player? Don't you love how some kids are automaticially labeled a good skater because who his dad is, or who is brother is? Love it!
Or how about the coaches that played college hockey only to show up and know nothing about coaching? Why do people think it's an automatic that people that played high level hockey are great coaches?
I am involved in an association often cited for favoritism and politics yet...

On my kid's team, there are 3 kids whose dad's played college hockey, two with older brothers playing varsity, yet...we are a C team! And the dads who played in college - are the BEST my kid has ever had as coaches. Just great, level-headed, even tempered, no-favoritism coaches who teach the game. My kid's BEST experience in hockey to date.

Not saying what you cite doesn't happen, but it doesn't have to happen.

Yes, it does not have to happen. Actually like funmom pointed out, it is bad for the kids development (including coaches') and association competitiveness. My experience with my kids has been that most parents coaches are great and fair, but one or two knuckle-heads could really turn your stomach.

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:48 am

funmom wrote:If you don't like parent coaching don't move to Forest lake. 99% of teams are coached by dads and all but maybe 1% favor their own kids and
forget about the rest of the kids. This goes for all sports. When the kids get older the teams can't compete with other associations and I think its because of all the dad coaching were they don't help develop all kids. And then you also get kids on teams that shouldn't be but are because dad is friends with their parents.

Tell us your whole story.. why so bitter?

How was your kids transition to White Bear?

I've only heard great things about Forest Lake and where they're headed.

West Hockey · Post by **West Hockey** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:43 am

Irish

That's the problem. You spend 98% of your time dealing with finances, fundraisers, and scheduling. Have you ever thought that spending more time focusing on development? I mean 2% dealing with the political issues? Why are there political issues? If everything is running smoothly then no one would be mad.

Irish; I don't know you, and don't know if you serve on a board or not. But I've served on many boards--in business, education, political, civic and youth sports. Boards ADMINISTER policy. They raise money; they manage the day to day operations of an organization; they make sure that money is collected and spent properly and legally.

Committees, and League Directors manage the details (like player development). Our associations for both hockey and baseball (Tonka) have been recognized (nationally) for excellent player development plans, coaching development plans, and facilities. Boards only deal with political issues when the issue could not be solved at the team or league level.

Also, don't kid yourself that a smoothly running organization is void of political issues. There are always political issues in organizations. Well run organizations manage them properly and don't allow the issue to divert the board from administering policy.

Every organization has their whiners and complainers. They think that the board is some secret cabal with nefarious intentions to promote their own children over non-board member's kids. I would suggest to them to join the board to see just how wrong they are, and how much work goes into running an association, and/or coaching a team. I maintain that the "dark side of youth sports" is the non-volunteer who believes their son/daughter is the next Crosby or Mauer and causes endless problems for coaches, directors, and other volunteers by nitpicking and badgering. Read the rules, join the board, be a coach, be a team manager. If not, enjoy the game from the stands and say "thank you" at the end of each season.

MrBoDangles · Post by **MrBoDangles** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 11:03 am

funmom wrote:If you don't like parent coaching don't move to Forest lake. 99% of teams are coached by dads and all but maybe 1% favor their own kids and
forget about the rest of the kids. This goes for all sports. When the kids get older the teams can't compete with other associations and I think its because of all the dad coaching were they don't help develop all kids. And then you also get kids on teams that shouldn't be but are because dad is friends with their parents.

funmom
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Posts: 23

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:12 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

buzzershot should do his homework before he starts rumors ! the new traveling director didnot fire all a coaches he just said that all coaches had to be reinterviewed because of feed back from parents. he's just doing what he should be and that is listening to all parents opinions on coaches and deciding on whats best for all kids development. sometimes change is needed and if there is alot of complaints about a coach something needs to change no matter how long he's been a coach. I'am glad he has the balls to get things changed. many associations just keep coaches because they are parents or friends with somebody on the board and in the long run the association suffers.

This is your comment (from a few months back) about why all the paid A coaches were being let go over at White Bear......... Sounds like you found total bliss.

woogieboogiewoogie · Post by **woogieboogiewoogie** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 12:21 pm

Whatever happened to Mom's or Dad's playing shinny hockey, playing catch with the football or baseball, pitching to your kid at the ball field or
shooting hoops in the driveway?? Isn't this how/where kids and the parents get better?
Nothing better than playing against my pop's growing up? The more you
play/work with your own kids? Chances are they will get better but the best part is the memories.

One day they might become the favorite...

2legit2quitguy · Post by **2legit2quitguy** » Tue Dec 27, 2011 2:02 pm

West Hockey wrote:Irish
That's the problem. You spend 98% of your time dealing with finances, fundraisers, and scheduling. Have you ever thought that spending more time focusing on development? I mean 2% dealing with the political issues? Why are there political issues? If everything is running smoothly then no one would be mad.
Irish; I don't know you, and don't know if you serve on a board or not. But I've served on many boards--in business, education, political, civic and youth sports. Boards ADMINISTER policy. They raise money; they manage the day to day operations of an organization; they make sure that money is collected and spent properly and legally.

Committees, and League Directors manage the details (like player development). Our associations for both hockey and baseball (Tonka) have been recognized (nationally) for excellent player development plans, coaching development plans, and facilities. Boards only deal with political issues when the issue could not be solved at the team or league level.

Also, don't kid yourself that a smoothly running organization is void of political issues. There are always political issues in organizations. Well run organizations manage them properly and don't allow the issue to divert the board from administering policy.

Every organization has their whiners and complainers. They think that the board is some secret cabal with nefarious intentions to promote their own children over non-board member's kids. I would suggest to them to join the board to see just how wrong they are, and how much work goes into running an association, and/or coaching a team. I maintain that the "dark side of youth sports" is the non-volunteer who believes their son/daughter is the next Crosby or Mauer and causes endless problems for coaches, directors, and other volunteers by nitpicking and badgering. Read the rules, join the board, be a coach, be a team manager. If not, enjoy the game from the stands and say "thank you" at the end of each season.[/quote]

PWD10 · Post by **PWD10** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:58 am

Every organization has their whiners and complainers. They think that the board is some secret cabal with nefarious intentions to promote their own children over non-board member's kids. I would suggest to them to join the board to see just how wrong they are, and how much work goes into running an association, and/or coaching a team. I maintain that the "dark side of youth sports" is the non-volunteer who believes their son/daughter is the next Crosby or Mauer and causes endless problems for coaches, directors, and other volunteers by nitpicking and badgering. Read the rules, join the board, be a coach, be a team manager. If not, enjoy the game from the stands and say "thank you" at the end of each season.[/quote]

[/quote]

I am sure every organization has parents who think what is happening to certain players is Child Abuse per your Coach in Chief Hal Terse. What is even more interesting we see it all the time, but wash our hands of it as if it is in the best interests of the team. While that may sound right the fact is it hurts the team in the long run and encourages those whiners and nit pickers to actually have reason to do exactly what they are doing. http://www.letsplayhockey.com/1022tearse.html

What amazes me the most, is in most cases coaches could have moved players down before the deadline, and initially chose those players and are now at some point in the future blaming those same younger players who paid their money just like anybody else and competed against the rest of your organization. Is it really the fault of the parent who has just driven to EGF to not be a nitpicker when a kid plays a total of 4 or 5 minutes total out of 4 or 5 games? I certainly can see the point of the parent. I watched a father last year call a Bantam A player out of a tournament and watched that kids team lose every single game but one which was a tie. Was it the right thing to do by the Parent? Maybe, in my opinion. It seemed pretty obvious after the teams showing in the tournament the team was not all that it was thought to be by the coaching staff and some of the parents.

Lazy coaches simply shorten their bench and take the easy route. In the end, short benches will work on the scoreboard about 50 percent of the time, but at season’s end, very rarely will the strategy work as the participating players are tired, maybe injured and the rest of the kids not really part of the team.

Having to play several games over a playoff weekend and using a short bench approach is a quick road to elimination as several teams found out over the years when playing against my Bantam and PeeWee teams. I see this happen at the high school level also. Team means everybody; win, lose, tie together. At the end of the day, it is just a game.[/b]

the_juiceman · Post by **the_juiceman** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:16 pm

PWD10 wrote:Every organization has their whiners and complainers. They think that the board is some secret cabal with nefarious intentions to promote their own children over non-board member's kids. I would suggest to them to join the board to see just how wrong they are, and how much work goes into running an association, and/or coaching a team. I maintain that the "dark side of youth sports" is the non-volunteer who believes their son/daughter is the next Crosby or Mauer and causes endless problems for coaches, directors, and other volunteers by nitpicking and badgering. Read the rules, join the board, be a coach, be a team manager. If not, enjoy the game from the stands and say "thank you" at the end of each season.[/quote]

I am sure every organization has parents who think what is happening to certain players is Child Abuse per your Coach in Chief Hal Terse. What is even more interesting we see it all the time, but wash our hands of it as if it is in the best interests of the team. While that may sound right the fact is it hurts the team in the long run and encourages those whiners and nit pickers to actually have reason to do exactly what they are doing. http://www.letsplayhockey.com/1022tearse.html

What amazes me the most, is in most cases coaches could have moved players down before the deadline, and initially chose those players and are now at some point in the future blaming those same younger players who paid their money just like anybody else and competed against the rest of your organization. Is it really the fault of the parent who has just driven to EGF to not be a nitpicker when a kid plays a total of 4 or 5 minutes total out of 4 or 5 games? I certainly can see the point of the parent. I watched a father last year call a Bantam A player out of a tournament and watched that kids team lose every single game but one which was a tie. Was it the right thing to do by the Parent? Maybe, in my opinion. It seemed pretty obvious after the teams showing in the tournament the team was not all that it was thought to be by the coaching staff and some of the parents.

Lazy coaches simply shorten their bench and take the easy route. In the end, short benches will work on the scoreboard about 50 percent of the time, but at season’s end, very rarely will the strategy work as the participating players are tired, maybe injured and the rest of the kids not really part of the team.

Having to play several games over a playoff weekend and using a short bench approach is a quick road to elimination as several teams found out over the years when playing against my Bantam and PeeWee teams. I see this happen at the high school level also. Team means everybody; win, lose, tie together. At the end of the day, it is just a game.[/b]

[/quote]

so, you think at the Bantam A level, everyone should get equal playing time?

Mnhockeys · Post by **Mnhockeys** » Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:49 pm

the_juiceman wrote:
PWD10 wrote:Every organization has their whiners and complainers. They think that the board is some secret cabal with nefarious intentions to promote their own children over non-board member's kids. I would suggest to them to join the board to see just how wrong they are, and how much work goes into running an association, and/or coaching a team. I maintain that the "dark side of youth sports" is the non-volunteer who believes their son/daughter is the next Crosby or Mauer and causes endless problems for coaches, directors, and other volunteers by nitpicking and badgering. Read the rules, join the board, be a coach, be a team manager. If not, enjoy the game from the stands and say "thank you" at the end of each season.[/quote]
I am sure every organization has parents who think what is happening to certain players is Child Abuse per your Coach in Chief Hal Terse. What is even more interesting we see it all the time, but wash our hands of it as if it is in the best interests of the team. While that may sound right the fact is it hurts the team in the long run and encourages those whiners and nit pickers to actually have reason to do exactly what they are doing. http://www.letsplayhockey.com/1022tearse.html

What amazes me the most, is in most cases coaches could have moved players down before the deadline, and initially chose those players and are now at some point in the future blaming those same younger players who paid their money just like anybody else and competed against the rest of your organization. Is it really the fault of the parent who has just driven to EGF to not be a nitpicker when a kid plays a total of 4 or 5 minutes total out of 4 or 5 games? I certainly can see the point of the parent. I watched a father last year call a Bantam A player out of a tournament and watched that kids team lose every single game but one which was a tie. Was it the right thing to do by the Parent? Maybe, in my opinion. It seemed pretty obvious after the teams showing in the tournament the team was not all that it was thought to be by the coaching staff and some of the parents.

Lazy coaches simply shorten their bench and take the easy route. In the end, short benches will work on the scoreboard about 50 percent of the time, but at season’s end, very rarely will the strategy work as the participating players are tired, maybe injured and the rest of the kids not really part of the team.

Having to play several games over a playoff weekend and using a short bench approach is a quick road to elimination as several teams found out over the years when playing against my Bantam and PeeWee teams. I see this happen at the high school level also. Team means everybody; win, lose, tie together. At the end of the day, it is just a game.[/b]

so, you think at the Bantam A level, everyone should get equal playing time?[/quote]

So at what level shorting bench is the normal?