This Coaching Question Comes From Coach Ron in Hawaii.

Q

We are currently in a summer league that all 7th and 8th graders can participate so we don’t cut anyone.

• The skill levels go from 1-10 and I have 28 boys.  When tryouts come up next year we will have 50 boys try out for 14 spots.  With the current 28 boys I have now I know that there are only really 10 players and the rest will not make the cut.
• I have been spending a lot of time stopping practice to correct the players as they make mistakes and after two weeks some are just not getting it and I feel I am wasting valuable practice time and not spending enough time with the players that I feel will probably make the team next year or there are a few that with a little more instruction could make it and help me….they are potential post players.  I have good guards coming out of my ears.
• It is a dis-service to the kids that I feel will not have a real chance of making the team to not stop them every time to correct them?  I have done this with a number of them 4-5 times and they continue to make the same mistakes.  I have printed out handouts  and shown them individual drills that they can do on their own if they really want to improve.  But with only two days of practice per week with games on Saturday’s

I don’t have a lot of time to spend with these boys.  I really want to teach the weak kids but I feel I am short changing my stronger players and the ones that will be our team next year.

A

By Coach Ken Sartini, Chicago, Ill

This is one of those situations that are a no win one.  We don’t want to hurt any kids feelings… especially at 11-13 years old.  We want to try and build a love for the game while teaching them the fundamentals.  With 28 kids and only two practice days it makes this even more difficult….. BUT this particular program ( as it stands right now ) is for everyone – thus – you have to work with them.  I think this should be treated like a camp program where everyone gets the same attention.  This is not a program that is supposed to get some of the better kids ready for the team in the next season. (at least that’s how I read it)

One thing we have to be careful of as youth coaches is putting a kid into a “position” at such a young age.  The post of today might be the point guard of tomorrow.  Kids grow and so does their abilities.  Another thing youth coaches have to be aware of is….. kids mature at a different rate and the kids they cut from their 7th and 8th grade teams might just be the stars at the high school level.

I had several kids that came from our junior high that either didn’t make the team or didn’t play…. only to go on and become all conference players.  I had kids that made our Freshman B team go on to make the Varsity and be players.. some all conference…. I remember one in particular that made the B team and didn’t play.  One year we needed players because our Sophomore class was less than stellar individuals… none of them made the team.. he was one of the kids we brought up.  He was all conference as a Senior and one of our leading scorers… went on to play Junior College ball and  broke the 3 point shooting record in his first year.. all without a play just for him.

Now, I know as a 7th and 8th grade coach with limited places for players…. you make cuts and you hope you make the right decisions.  Experience is usually the best teacher here the longer you coach.  That’s part of the gig.

My best advice in THIS situation is to teach them ALL and teach them all the same fundamentals. Don’t worry about your next season….. this is a summer league and should be treated as such. (or more like a camp)  We don’t have that crystal ball to see just how tall they may grow and how good they will be.   The last thing you would want is for the kids and parents to feel that you are just working with the kids that will make next years team.. that’s the fastest way for your summer program to fail.  Like I said before, you never know when you will find that ” diamond in the rough. ”

Work with all these kids, do your best job of teaching them the fundamentals of the game and don’t worry so much about winning the game.  I learned early in my high school coaching career (from a football coach I worked with) that it was important to teach fundamentals early and don’t worry about the Ws.

Remember, these kids go home and talk about you with their parents and friends… you will want to be known as a fair guy that REALLY CARES about his players.  I am still in contact with guys that played for me when they were 11-13 years old.. and that goes back a long time.    It’s nice to know that we can make that kind of impact on someone’s life.
Coach Ken Sartini

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