hockey coach with ice time?

Question

Our hockey coach continues to play 3 main players during the whole game for ie: regular line shift, power plays and short handed plays. These 3 players are tired and most of the time are standing around. They don't score when there playing the power plays. We are in playoff mode and many players missed the shifts, 10 minutes straight during a period. My son does not want to continue playing with this coach and he feels like he is not part of the team and not contributing. This makes me very upset. I wanted to send the coach an email regarding this matter, however I was told to let it go. I can't let this go, we have paid for the season and I don't want my son to feel that he is not part of a team?? help

Answer 1

I have not coached hockey, but I have coached youth baseball. I can tell you that for me, if a player's parent comes and talks to me calmly about their concerns, it is much easier to discuss the matter rationally, rather than defensively.

I am sure the coach has his reasons for playing those three (and I assume that is one forward line). However, one objective of youth sports should be to prepare every player (to the best of that player's ability) to advance to the next level. If you have a full bench, then the fact that he has no confidence in his other 9 forwards tells me that he did not do a very good job of preparing the whole team to advance - and the team is paying for it in the playoffs.

You don't say if this is a favoritism issue, but it sounds more like a problem with poor preparation and poor judgment in playing one line too much. After all, even if the next line cannot score, they can play as a checking line to give the top line a break. Like you say, without some bench time between shifts, they cannot be expected to outperform a more balanced team.

At this point, he should have at least two full lines he has confidence in, and maybe a way to mix them up so he can play all four lines. (If they are playing with less than 20 on the roster, then these numbers should be adjusted.) Many youth coaches do not realize the impact on the players performance and development that demonstrations of confidence can have. This demonstration of no confidence in players he has coached all season does not have an upside either for the players who don't get to play or for the team.

Since you are in the playoffs, the season must be about over. Do you have options for trying out for a different team for the summer, or next season? Is this a team that the parents can control, so you can look for a different coach next year?

In any event, if you can have a calm and rational talk with him relaying your observations, or, second best, put them into an email message, it might even help with the rest of this season.

Edit: I am adding this without changing anything above. Bob (next post down) highlights one of the things that makes this difficult to answer. A lot depends on what level your son is playing. If this is a competetive league, and you went into this team knowing that the coach was going to do his best to compete in the playoffs, appeals to fairness are not so appropriate. I would still encourage a look at how well the team developed, not just a few individuals. If this team and coach aren't meeting your son's needs, then you need to look elsewhere.

When I coach baseball, I try to make sure I am making baseball decisions for baseball reasons. This should also apply to hockey, as well. If you are prepared to hear the and consider the coach's reasoning, I would still encourage you to talk to him calmly, away from the team. What he says may make some sense, even if you do not end up agreeing with him.

Finally, it will be counterproductive to bring up money. Your son and his team are or should be learning hockey skills and being competetive. It takes money to do that, but it is not about the money.

Answer 2

I can tell you from experience that coaches hate parents like you. It is best not to meddle in their affairs. If your son were good enough then odds are he would be getting his share of ice time. Yeah, bring it up, if you want your son to see even less ice time and also know that as he moves up to different levels, the coaches know each other and talk to each other and it will hurt his future ice time. Don't meddle like the Lindros' did.
If your son is quite young and in a house league then this is all null and void and the coach is a **** and you should definitely light into him and he is probably not well liked any way.
However, if it is a rep league then keep out of it, generally the coaches know what they are doing. What they are saying is one of their better players tired trumps your son when he is not. You don't want that cold truth. (although I guess I just gave it to you)
If it is rep league, then have your son play house league where he will get THE MOST ice time because he will be better than them and can work on his skills.

Answer 3

I am not sure how old your son is or what level your son is playing, but your best case scenario would be to have the team co-ordinator speak to him on your behalf. Make sure that it is known that your son isn't the only one being skipped and that other parents are also upset.

Answer 4

Email him this exact posting and replace "he" with "you". it makes perfect sense and doesn't sound defamatory or anything. I would also talk to some of the other parents and see if they have similar feelings. I would also leave out the part about "letting it go" when you send to him.

Answer 5

am sure the coach has his reasons for playing those three