Bad coach, concerned parent?

Question

What is a parent to do when the new, girls middle school soccer coach takes the team from 3 undefeated seasons, to 2-16, and out scored 65-8 and refuses to change his set up of 1-2-1-3-3. A dimond defense? These kids are in middle school. Putting the entire defense on one girl has not and does not work. These girls are getting slaughtered by the other better coached teams. We have the skills, our girls have the heart, what a shame for this sport.
Tried the co-curicullar director and the Principal (he comes from England, would think he would have been a help to the girls), but they support this coach-
For one who loves this sport and has coached these kids from 3rd to 6th grade, it hurts to see them lose merely because they have a inept coach.
What is a parent/taxpayer to do?

Answer 1

Well I could debate the validity of the diamond defense all night long, it doesn't mean it is that that has killed the team.

Middle school has the competition step up. I remember my middle school years, I am currently 19, I played against different teams then I did at elementary as well as different players the older I got. We were good they were better. It was disappointing sure it was even a sad at times. It does not matter. Winning is not everything at that level. They are still children and this is a learning opportunity.

I also reffed children matches as a high school student and watched my younger brother develop. I learned plenty doing these things but here is just a few.

1 the most important thing is remembering to keep your head up after a defeat. Winning is not everything.

2 It is easy to watch from the sidelines and criticize. (Or from the center of the field. I love soccer I sometimes found myself watching the games instead of focused on a job.)

3 Do not express your views to the children. At the very least it can only cause conflict as the team is trying to work for cohesion. At the worse it can be repeated and your child, or children who overheard, get(s) benched, for "fitness reasons" or whatever.

4 I suggest watching Hoosiers. 1982 film I know wrong sport, but the idea is the same. New techniques are hard to get used too, give him 2 seasons at least for the players to learn the new system.

As a side note: My high school years proved much more fruitful. I moved from a 6'5" defender to a 6'5" goal keeper. I never turned back. I always was able to command the field better from there. Loosing at middle school level is not the end of the world.

Answer 2

My team has the same problem this year. We have a coach (well volunteer who has no experience) that came to 'coach' our girls team. Although we only won one game last year the scores were very close (i.g. 1-3, 0-2, 2-4, and so on) Since he became our coach we've still only won one game but with the rest of the scores being blow outs. Other teams have killed us 9-0, 10-0, 5-0 and again so on. He puts people wherever he wants because he doesn't know and doesn't seem to care. We unfortunately have no control over whether he's our coach because he is a volunteer in an unpaid position. The best thing to try and do is to get all parents and even players to a school board meeting and address the issue. From there you can see what options are available. You have to voice your opinion in some way other than on here whether it be through a petition or at a school board meeting otherwise nothing will be done. Good Luck.

Answer 3

As a coach in public schools. We must remember that in any sport the coach gives an edge to the group they are coaching.
We also must remember that every age group has a group of athletes and they are not equal from year to year.
If your middle school is a 2 year 7/8 th grades then half are going and half are coming so it can change in a hurry.
Have you asked the coach if you can help and try to understand what he is trying to accomplish.
I ask this as a High school coach both Boys and Girls for over 25 years.
It's not an easy job.

Answer 4

First try and talk with the coach calmly away from the field. Set up a meeting and ask your questions. Two options will come to light.
1) He is working with the higher levels (JV/ Varsity) to build a team of the future.
2) He may actually have no idea what he is doing.
What formation is the levels above this one play?
Are all the girls playing in as many different positions as possible?
I can understand the unrest it gives you after investing time with them. Just find out his vision for the kids, if there isn't one help to provide one. Good Luck!

Answer 5

i would honestly go to someone that can do something. maybe someone from the school bored. i know what you mean when this happens. i was in the same situation, but i was on the team. i couldn't do anything. basically i had to finish the season with a losing season and than leave the team and go to another one. you could do a protest. that works best. go around and have a bunch of people sign it. give it to the board of directors and i am certain they will do something. good luck.

Answer 6

Middle school soccer is nothing... no parents really care... and if your kids good enough for you to ***** like this get her on the provincial team... then mayb she would be able to pay... btw i dont care if your a taxpayer... get a life

Answer 7

get some of the other parents to back you up and tell the coach and try and make it work better

Answer 8

You could ask the parents of the players how they feel about the situation after you present them with the facts.

Answer 9

if you have a problem you should offer a solution, go out and find some one better, with credability and skills. and bring him to the school and say "here is the answer to the problem"

Answer 10

ask a meeting with aal parents and the coach to talk about it