Tell me what you think.....

[PhillyB]

We have not lost a game in 4 years. Seriously.

Quite the streak... how many games do you play per season?

[AKPantherFan]

Quite the streak... how many games do you play per season?

10

[AKPantherFan]

I just coach defense, and my very 1st game we beat the other team very bad, it was about 8 TD's to nothing. A shut out.

I felt terrible after that.

Not that I was focused only on winning, but I was worried how my defense would do, and being my 1st game I wanted to make an impression.

I learned a lot from that game.

I remember seeing how bad some of the kids on the other side of the field felt after that.

Now, any time we are up by a good mark I play all my little guys. I do keep in a couple fast guys to cover the "big plays", but being Pop Warner even the little guys across the field work hard, they deserve to "enjoy" the fruits of their labors.

I doubt I will ever have another shut out + getting my younger guys in gets them time to continue to improve. At some point they will be the leader of the team, so its a win win.

[AKPantherFan]

Great stuff ak.

You can have fun AND high expectations, even with young kids.

I coached more baseball than I did football but my practices were tough but fast. My goal was to get the kids to challenge themselves and more or less coach and call other players higher.

As long as kids know their roles and what is expected, I never talked about wining or losing, I just assumed we were going beat the other guy every time and we would get better and better each week.

Ya also have to know your group. If the contract works for them then do it. Each kid is different as you know.

But heck, the kids are easy, its the insanely delusional parents that made me stop coaching.

Good luck

yes- parents are a problem from time to time.

You either get the very "over protective" parent who doesnt want their kid to be tackled, or the very "win win" parent whos"superstar" must play every down at every position.

We have a few team rules that our parents have to follow. I hate sideline coaching and will not tolerate it, plus a few other things.

one thing that works is; if the kids late, he runs a lap. I dont care if its the parents fault.

then when the kid tells his mom he had to run a lap because she made him late, she suddenly feels bad and he is never late again.

amazing...

[Squirrel]

yes- parents are a problem from time to time.

You either get the very "over protective" parent who doesnt want their kid to be tackled, or the very "win win" parent whos"superstar" must play every down at every position.

We have a few team rules that our parents have to follow. I hate sideline coaching and will not tolerate it, plus a few other things.

one thing that works is; if the kids late, he runs a lap. I dont care if its the parents fault.

then when the kid tells his mom he had to run a lap because she made him late, she suddenly feels bad and he is never late again.

amazing...

My little league baseball coach tried that, didn't work out to well for him. Don't punish the kid for the parents lateness. Some parents work late and are on a tight schedule it doesnt help the kid to punish him for that.

But I like the rest of what you are doing defiantly get the other kids in there even if they suck. Pop Warner should be about getting the kids confidence up and enjoying playing the game. Winning is great and makes it fun but if you only play the good kids the other will lose interest.

[AKPantherFan]

My little league baseball coach tried that, didn't work out to well for him. Don't punish the kid for the parents lateness. Some parents work late and are on a tight schedule it doesnt help the kid to punish him for that.

But I like the rest of what you are doing defiantly get the other kids in there even if they suck. Pop Warner should be about getting the kids confidence up and enjoying playing the game. Winning is great and makes it fun but if you only play the good kids the other will lose interest.

Well, its not as much punishment as it seems. They will all have to run a lap before joining practice anyways (they have to get their legs warm)

I made a handout for every parent, it use to say "Players who are late will run a lap, I changed it today to "All players will be on time"

It doesnt sound as bad, and you are right, perception is key when dealing with parents.

[Squirrel]

Well, its not as much punishment as it seems. They will all have to run a lap before joining practice anyways (they have to get their legs warm)

I made a handout for every parent, it use to say "Players who are late will run a lap, I changed it today to "All players will be on time"

It doesnt sound as bad, and you are right, perception is key when dealing with parents.

Yeah, Ran laps at the beginning of football practice anyway. But still great you are taking your time to teach the kids.

[hdevonxz]

lol

just remember to let the kids have fun, it's pop warner.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Fun is important, but lets be honest, the kids aren't stupid and its not fun to lose.

We have not lost a game in 4 years. Seriously. I think thats cool, but at the same time it doesn't allow a coach to teach kids how to deal with adversity.

We have a lot of 1st year players this year so I anticipate loss or two, but its a great opportunity to encourage hard work and determination.

I honestly don't care if we lose every game (that would suck though), but i expect the kids to give 100%. I don't deal kindly to laziness, especially when you have teammates relying on you.

So all I will ask of them is their best, I think every coach should get that out of their players.

Such a fine line. I have coached Little League off and on for many years and that 9-12 yr old range where the kids are selected to play. Everyone wants to win. Sadly many coaches it as at all cost.

I won't deny I try to win every game. Strategy, game planning and teaching them how to shut down the opponent. But my key factor was when we did lose we could hold our heads up high and know we gave our best effort.

My addiction to coaching was what positive feedback from the parents. I could go on and on about success stories from my teams. I didn't bask in it but it kept me coming back.

4 yrs WOW sounds like you have established a foundation.

Good Luck and hope you make it 5 yrs.

[User Name]

At any level you should play to win, place the best 11 on the field at all times. Teach and maximize each kids potential, let them prove themselves in practice.

If a kid is going to play team sports they need to learn what competition is all about, same with life. You shouldn't pigeon hole them, but in you can't pander.

I played competitive football for 12 years, and from a players perspective I'd rather ride the bench on a winning team than start for a looser. At 38 I still feel the same, if you want it earn it, there is no I in team.

I was lucky enough to be tutored by adults that taught winning, it made me the man I am. I understand nothing is a given I have to earn what I want, and it's served me very well. Teaching kids anything else is cheating them. Sadly in todays world "your best" is good enough, but in life it is not, strive to be better than you think you can be.

End of Rockney speach,

[Kevin Greene]

I want you to try and be constructive all day today ok.

*scruffs Fiz's hair and hands him a cookie*

Just fast forward to the end and hit the perma ban button.

AK: Great speech!

[Kevin Greene]

I just coach defense, and my very 1st game we beat the other team very bad, it was about 8 TD's to nothing. A shut out.

I felt terrible after that.

Not that I was focused only on winning, but I was worried how my defense would do, and being my 1st game I wanted to make an impression.

I learned a lot from that game.

I remember seeing how bad some of the kids on the other side of the field felt after that.

Now, any time we are up by a good mark I play all my little guys. I do keep in a couple fast guys to cover the "big plays", but being Pop Warner even the little guys across the field work hard, they deserve to "enjoy" the fruits of their labors.

I doubt I will ever have another shut out + getting my younger guys in gets them time to continue to improve. At some point they will be the leader of the team, so its a win win.

Good job, close up to my daughter's AYSO Soccer team in the past I know where you're at. There's no more thankless job than being a volunteer coach. And there's nothing worse than a coach who's only agenda is the win.

Imagine Fiz having a kid on your team and screaming from the bleachers at you.

Clueless.

[Jangler]

Tell them, This is what it's really all about!

[DaveThePanther2008]

Good job, close up to my daughter's AYSO Soccer team in the past I know where you're at. There's no more thankless job than being a volunteer coach. And there's nothing worse than a coach who's only agenda is the win.

Imagine Fiz having a kid on your team and screaming from the bleachers at you.

Clueless.

When I coached in Havelock and we went to the tournament in Greenville they used to have a sign I wanted to steal. It said something to the effect of.

PARENTS

Let the players, play

Let the Coaches, Coach

and the Umpires, Umpire

and you as parents cheer them on.

Something like that.

I used to tell the parents (because all of them think their kid should start) " I have 12 Players and 9 positions YOU DO THE MATH. Not every kid is gonna start. But thorough the season I would try and get every player an opportunity to play the entire game without sacrificing a "W".

Unfortunately, I still had the rude, obnoxious parent who refused to get with the program and understand that their kid @ age 12 was not the next Barry Bonds or Nolan Ryan.

Overall I love coaching and each season brings new parents and new challenges.