How do you handle a new BB coach who has changed the entire program?

Question

How do you approach this? Or do you leave it alone. The team's coach is a first year coach, and they have a dismal record 2-6. The same team had a dream team season last year - same players, different coach. There is no cohesivness, lots of individual grand standing - which is encouraged by the coaching staff. My kid has played with most of the same girls for the last 5 seasons and is ready to quit. She is a starter, but is frustrated by the focus on individual skills, while the team concept has gone down the proverbial shoot. Parents are complaining amongst themselves but don't want to appear meddling so they aren't raising an issue with the administrators or the coaches. I have been holding back since early 11/06 and assurred my daughter I wouldn't freak out on anyone, but find it harder & harder not to say anything. Should I, or shouldn't I??

Answer 1

Stay out of it. As a former student athlete I can tell you that no one wants you to get involved. Especially not your daughter. When parents get involved it makes their kid look bad, it makes them look bad and it only further underminds the coaching staff.

The simple fact is that the coach is the coach and essentially has final say in how the team will play. That's what he/she was hired to do. It is the job of whomever hired said coach to deal with any issues, not yours.

If the team is having a bad season the fact of the matter is that sometimes good teams have bad seasons. Just ride it out, stay positive and enjoy the fact that you can watch your kid play a sport she loves. Soon enough she'll be grown up and gone and you'll wish she was still at home playing ball, even if it is on a crappy team.

...if it really bothers you, however, I'd suggest you have your daughter try to make a pitch to the team without the coach. If she is a starter and part of the team from last year, she is clearly viewed as a veteran and a leader. Have her make the pitch to the team to try and pull it all together and focus on winning. If she's uncomfortable with it, let it slide.

I hope this helps and best of luck to both of you.

Answer 2

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