How should i quit my basketball team?

Question

i plan on calling the coach later today to tell him that i quit. i have to focus more on school and really dont like playing basketball for him. my team hardly ever wins and the daily practices dont pay off. my question is what should i say, he is a black former military drill sergeant type of guy, so i doubt he will be sympathetic. ive been playing for the past 2 years

Answer 1

if you truly want to concentrate on grades he will understand

if you are quiting mainly because your losing and you don't like your coach, your a quitter, and not just giving up on him but your teammates also.

Answer 2

Dear Jackson,

Something to consider is whether you want to play basketball competitively for a team in the future again.

If you do--- then you must make sure you are quitting for the right reasons- because not only may your coach misunderstand but some of your teammates as well.

Also i think it also depends on your role on the team. If you are a starter or play a very crucial role on the team- it's really going to not only disrupt the coach tremendously but the entire team. How far are you guys in the process? If the season hasn't started yet- that might not be as big of a blow to the team as if the season started- because they can always find someone to replace you pretty quick.

How a team reacts to losing- determines if they can win in the future.

If studies is really an issue than it's understandable. I mean most people don't make it as a basketball player- but every person in school has an opportunity to make it as a student-- so if quitting basketball to work on your grades- really pays off than go for it.

i had to quit the team my junior year to get a job- to help my family so i understand. But i just talked to my coach at the end of my sophomore season- and didn't go out to tryouts even though i probably would have been a returning starter or 6th man.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 3

Is quitting to devote more time to your studies the real reason ? If so, tell him face to face, straight forward, just like the other people told you in their answer. What he wants has no bearing on the situation. What's important is what you want.

Is the losing the real reason ? We all like to see results for our efforts. Not getting many over the last 2 years is not fun. The issue may be that you feel you're wasting time that could be better used elsewhere. If that's the case, that is a very plausible reason. Tell him.

Could it be the lack of athletic competance on your part and you are not getting any better because of his poor coaching ? Very valid reason. Tell him. Understand that this happens a lot in basketball because so many coaches are frauds. They do it for all kinds of reason and many times it is because their son is on the team and they want the kid to get all the breaks.

He may not like it that you're going to walk. He may try to talk you out of it. It's his right. Let him talk and if you've made up your mind, listen, smile, thank him and walk away. But what he likes or dislikes is no concern to you. He may get mad. Because he isn't getting his way. Again, no concern to you. He has the right to get mad. We all do. Smile, thank him and walk away.

But there is one other question I have to ask. Since I have been a basketall coach for a long while, the question is, "Are you walking away because you are afraid ?" The surprising thing about a lot of players is that many are afraid of succeeding. They're not sure they can make it to at least the high school level. Fear #1. They are not sure if they want to work as hard as they know they'll need to get there. Fear #2. And if they are successful, they are not sure they want to put in the time and effort to maintain what they achieved. Fear #3.

If the reason is fear understand that many players in the past go thru what you are going thru because they are ignorant of what they're getting into. They have never been there before. In my case, I learned to love the game and it became my avocation. And this from a player (me) who sat the bench in high school for 3 years and never started a single game. But I started in college as a freshman. And what was the difference ? A coach who told me that if I kept working I could be a good player. And when I did become one, I wanted to teach other players to be good too.

Make this decision carefully. Seek out other opinions. What do your Dad and Mom say ? If you walk away now, you may never have a chance to meet a real good coach who can help you develop your game. The other thing to consider is this: in life if you quit, then the next time a difficult situation comes up, it is much easier to quit again. That could form a pattern of behavior that wouldn't benefit you much.

This could be nothing more than a test. The universe may want to see how you'll react when confronted with a problem of this magnitude. If this is a test, maybe you want to pass it. Whatever passing means in a situation like this, you define. No one else.

Answer 4

Do what the people in front of you say. If you still have even the least regret, don't say anything but watch your team and try to help them improve. Try the hardest you can, like your training a basketball including you to try and make your team beat another because something big is on the line, in this case, it's you losing your basketball team. It may not be that big, but think of it like the world would die if they didn't get better. If they have a small improvement, then keep going and lead them the right way. Ask them to play ball after practice one day, and tell them what they need to do to win. If you feel you MUST leave, then tell your coach that you need to study and that he as well as you knows academics come first. Tell him that one, you don't have time, two, you think your wasting your time (try to say that in another way) with a team that isn't improving much and not trying to, and that the coach isn't trying hard enough to help them improve, and three, that you just don't feel that you want to play basketball anymore, try to refrain from this one if you can. Otherwise, people have better advice than me above. Good Luck.

Answer 5

U can do whatever you want. But I don't think you should quit. That is just a waist of money. I play bball with the boys at my skewl, and b4, I didnt even know how to shoot. But now, a year later, Im a pro. Just so u know I will lay out the shots for you: When somebody shouts at you,"Thats Travel!" That means that you are holding the ball, without dribbling, and running. Thast is called travel. You must dribble. Also, A double dribble is when someone throws the ball to you, and and you catch it, you dribble, then you hesitate, while holding the ball, and then dribble again. If u start dribbling, and u hesitate, u must throw the ball to another player, or shoot. Either that or its a forfeit. If you dont feel that you are that good at shooting, then when you get the ball, pass it to a player that is great at shooting. That way, you are never under preasure. Chill, have fun with it! Bball is great sport. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Send him a text message or an email ;)

EDIT:

Ok seriously, just explain to him your circumstances. In the academics world, all coaches know that school and grades come first and foremost before any practices and games. Just explain you want to focus more on your studies and need to leave the team to dedicate more time towards your schooling. He'll understand and if he does have a problem or makes threats, take it to the Athletic Director, anonymously if you are worried about backlash from other teammates or him.

Answer 7

Quit for the right reason but don't lose interest in the sport. As you've said, you've been playing for 2 years. Your coach should understand if your reason is for studying purposes. If you will quit just because you want to, then don't play basketball anymore. You have to prove to him and yourself that you can do it.

Answer 8

How old are you ? Do your parents support this decision ?
Academics are more important than sports, generally speaking.

I would just tell him that you feel like your schoolwork is suffering and if he will have you back, maybe next year, and Thanks for the opportunity. Compliment your coach on anything positive he has done for you. This will soften the blow...but are you really sure you want to quit ????

What level of player are you, and how does playing make you feel ?

Good luck.!!

Answer 9

just be honest: tell him it's not working out for you on this team and you want to concentrate more on your studies and keep basketball as more of a sideline hobby than something major to place all your efforts in.

i'd also add in that you don't want to let your team down by not being able to give 100% because your focus is elsewhere.

Answer 10

Tell him that you need to focus on your studies more, and you don't feel that you are getting what you need out of the team as a whole, and that you're sorry but you need to quit the team. and don't let him talk you into staying. becuase if you made up your mind, then don't let anyone change it for you. I imagine he will try to get you to stay by feeding you the "you're such a great player" BS, but don't fall into it.

Answer 11

My suspicion is that the schoolwork is not really the cause.
My advice is dont quit. You have an entire lifetime to devote to many, many things, but the chance to play HS basketball is one you will never have again after you graduate. You will regret it if you quit.