Dressing for varsity

[SportsNorthFan]

Our coach tells certain kids (JV ) they can dress up for varsity games only to change his mind at the last minute. Needless to say, this causes hard feelings. This coach does this with every game. Is this normal? or weird?

[PuckU126]

Our coach tells certain kids (JV ) they can dress up for varsity games only to change his mind at the last minute. Needless to say, this causes hard feelings. This coach does this with every game. Is this normal? or weird?

If this behavior occurs every game, it is unusual. The coach should know he'll potentially lose creditability from the players.

The coach should invite that player only when its certain that a player from the JV squad is needed. That is the process I am familiar with.

I'd comment further on the subject; however, I do not know all of the details of the situation.

[seek & destroy]

Our coach tells certain kids (JV ) they can dress up for varsity games only to change his mind at the last minute. Needless to say, this causes hard feelings. This coach does this with every game. Is this normal? or weird?

That is definitely unusual. What's the point of telling players to suit up and then every game change your mind? It calls into question whether the coach can make decisions of any sort if he can't make that basic decision.

There are coaches who don't understand how much it means to a kid or their family to be asked to suit up for a Varsity game (especially the 9th or 10th graders). Even if they don't get to play, it gives them some recognition as one of the top players on JV and should be a reward for their hard work and good attitude on JV. It can be a great way to send a message to others that those are the type of players the coach is looking for on Varsity.

I've seen way to many times where a coach calls a player(s) up for the wrong reasons (politics, friends, etc.). Everyone knows whats going on and the coach's credibility is hurt with the rest of the team. Players are smart and most good players recognize the talents of others and know who the other good players are on the team. Giving a 'reward' to the wrong players sends the wrong message.

I have also seen coaches who call players up game after game and never use them even when they have big leads (or are way behind). The main purpose of calling up players (besides a little recognition) is to give them a chance for some experience at the Varsity level. Some games you can't risk it due to the closeness of the game but when you have a big lead it is the perfect time to put some young players in for some shifts. Too often, coaches wait until the game is down to a final minute and then throw them in for a token shift or worse yet only use them to serve penalties of others (2/10, bench etc.). Again, kids are smart and the message sent is that we really don't want to risk having you take shifts at all even with a big lead.

The best coaches know how to use their 4th line on Varsity as a training ground for future players and, in some cases, as a reward for hard work on the JV team. From the sounds of it, your coach doesn't get that concept at all.

[observer]

Seek hit the main points but I'll reinforce that this coach is doing a terrible job with team building. The bubble shouldn't be real big and Seek describes it should be those 4th line players, and a D or 2, getting an occasional shot. His disorganization is unfair to the players and their families. He also mentions preparing for next year. Team building is the most important quality in a coach with running outstanding practices number two in my book.