Good coaches scout talent...

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

...but should high school coaches be scouting at middle school games?

 

If a college coach is watching a high school athlete, no one would say a thing. But how about a high school coach watching a middle school team, or going to watch a specific middle schooler? Obviously there's a difference in the two, but should there really be that much of a difference?

 

What say you?

[throwback32]

...but should high school coaches be scouting at middle school games?

 

If a college coach is watching a high school athlete, no one would say a thing. But how about a high school coach watching a middle school team, or going to watch a specific middle schooler? Obviously there's a difference in the two, but should there really be that much of a difference?

 

What say you?

 

IMO, massive difference. I have no problem with high school coaches, within a district going to middle school games of their feeder schools. These kids are within their program and should be made to feel a part of the program.

 

Another high school coach, or staff member, should not actively engage in the “scouting” of other middle school athletes. These are 14 year old impressionable kids who will believe most anything they are told. Your program should speak for itself.

 

We all know this goes on, and which programs do it. It is a problem and apples to oranges to college coaches recruiting high school players.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

IMO, massive difference. I have no problem with high school coaches, within a district going to middle school games of their feeder schools. These kids are within their program and should be made to feel a part of the program.

 

Another high school coach, or staff member, should not actively engage in the “scouting” of other middle school athletes. These are 14 year old impressionable kids who will believe most anything they are told. Your program should speak for itself.

 

We all know this goes on, and which programs do it. It is a problem and apples to oranges to college coaches recruiting high school players.

 

Fair take.

[Voice of Reason]

IMO, massive difference. I have no problem with high school coaches, within a district going to middle school games of their feeder schools. These kids are within their program and should be made to feel a part of the program.

 

Another high school coach, or staff member, should not actively engage in the “scouting” of other middle school athletes. These are 14 year old impressionable kids who will believe most anything they are told. Your program should speak for itself.

 

We all know this goes on, and which programs do it. It is a problem and apples to oranges to college coaches recruiting high school players.

 

I agree with this. A coach visiting his feeder schools is actually a good thing. Although those lines get blurry in the private schools. Someone help me out but the private middle schools are not necessarily direct feeders. Kids going to Blessed Sacrament move on to Covington Catholic, Notre Dame, St. Henry, Holy Cross, etc. Do we want all those high school coaches attending the middle school games and competing for talent? What contact are the high school coaches allowed to have by KHSAA rules?

 

A bigger no no for me is when a high school coach is going to another high school watching an eighth grader who is already playing for another high school. That happened this week when I saw a girls high school coach from another school at the Villa Madonna girls game watching their eighth grader play. That is crossing the line for me.

[Jack of all Trades]

Why not add to the thread by posting the names of the coaches who look to poach kids from other programs?

[throwback32]

Why not add to the thread by posting the names of the coaches who look to poach kids from other programs?

 

Wouldn’t that be juicy?!?

[throwback32]

I agree with this. A coach visiting his feeder schools is actually a good thing. Although those lines get blurry in the private schools. Someone help me out but the private middle schools are not necessarily direct feeders. Kids going to Blessed Sacrament move on to Covington Catholic, Notre Dame, St. Henry, Holy Cross, etc. Do we want all those high school coaches attending the middle school games and competing for talent? What contact are the high school coaches allowed to have by KHSAA rules?

 

A bigger no no for me is when a high school coach is going to another high school watching an eighth grader who is already playing for another high school. That happened this week when I saw a girls high school coach from another school at the Villa Madonna girls game watching their eighth grader play. That is crossing the line for me.

 

As far as I know, no contact is allowed between high school coaches and middle school players unless it is a direct feeder school.

 

Although, that doesn’t stop this from happening. I know for a fact high school coaches contact kids outside of their feeders through second parties, aau programs, and other anonymous means. It is a shame, but if people don’t think that this is happening they are naive.

[Jack of all Trades]

As far as I know, no contact is allowed between high school coaches and middle school players unless it is a direct feeder school.

 

Although, that doesn’t stop this from happening. I know for a fact high school coaches contact kids outside of their feeders through second parties, aau programs, and other anonymous means. It is a shame, but if people don’t think that this is happening they are naive.

 

I witnessed it first hand when my son was in 8th grade at Highlands.

[Hoops4Life]

As a parent of 2 kids that have been blessed with a little athletic ability. I would welcome the coaches to my kids middle school games and speak with me about their programs. This, so I can be armed with all the information that helps me make a decision for HS that creates the best situation/opportunity for them. I realize that the coaches may have ulterior motives, but that is for me to decipher. After all it is supposed to be all about the kids and creating the opportunities or situations that will help them succeed. While I believe that the school and education has to be the top priority, athletics can shape the character of a person that lasts a lifetime.

 

I do understand that I am speaking mostly about those that have the means to attend private/parochial schools, as public schools clearly have lines and territories that they are governed by, and kids are limited by their address. However, I never understood why a kid that goes to a private middle school has the mindset that they must attend that middle school's natural feeder if there is a different HS that provides them a better situation.

 

If the coaches don't make themselves available, I may not be able to get all the correct information to help me make a life altering HS decision. That being said, the kids are resilient and in most cases they end up figuring things out no matter where they are at, but that doesn't mean I will stop trying to support them the best way I know how. So coaches if you are listening, you are invited to my kids middle school games, would love to hear what you have to say.

[Voice of Reason]

Are there any KHSAA rules on coaches and contact allowed with middle school students and/or parents?

[Jack of all Trades]

As a parent of 2 kids that have been blessed with a little athletic ability. I would welcome the coaches to my kids middle school games and speak with me about their programs. This, so I can be armed with all the information that helps me make a decision for HS that creates the best situation/opportunity for them. I realize that the coaches may have ulterior motives, but that is for me to decipher. After all it is supposed to be all about the kids and creating the opportunities or situations that will help them succeed. While I believe that the school and education has to be the top priority, athletics can shape the character of a person that lasts a lifetime.

 

I do understand that I am speaking mostly about those that have the means to attend private/parochial schools, as public schools clearly have lines and territories that they are governed by, and kids are limited by their address. However, I never understood why a kid that goes to a private middle school has the mindset that they must attend that middle school's natural feeder if there is a different HS that provides them a better situation.

 

If the coaches don't make themselves available, I may not be able to get all the correct information to help me make a life altering HS decision. That being said, the kids are resilient and in most cases they end up figuring things out no matter where they are at, but that doesn't mean I will stop trying to support them the best way I know how. So coaches if you are listening, you are invited to my kids middle school games, would love to hear what you have to say.

 

How you feel about parochial schools contacting public school kids or vice versa? Remember this is high school we are talking about.

[Hoops4Life]

How you feel about parochial schools contacting public school kids or vice versa? Remember this is high school we are talking about.

 

I have no problem either way, as long as the parents/guardians are equipped with the information that allows them to put the kid into the best situation to succeed. That could be different based on a million variables, and a list of priorities can vary between decision makers. What is important to me, may not be as important to you.

 

For people to call foul on programs that have coaches that are proactive and giving parents reasons to consider their programs just doesn't make sense to me. Even if the reasons are selfish one's doesn't mean that giving a kid and his/her parents an opportunity to think about what is important to them and creates positive conversations at home that might not otherwise been had. Maybe I am getting a little too deep here.

 

And yes this is high school, and considering where to go to HS can be a huge decision in the development of a 14-18 year old. Very influential period of time, I think we all would agree. Also, yes I am mainly meaning athletics here, but I have played for good coaches and bad coaches and I understand the positive influence a good coach can have and the negative influence a bad coach can have. If there is a school that, in my opinion has a coach that isn't up to my particular standards, why should my kid be made to attend that school. Or, maybe that same school in my district has a tremendous coach, but my kid is a good athlete, but won't be in the starting 5 or main contributor until they are a senior. Would it be more beneficial to play for another coach that may be as influential and an opportunity to contribute for a longer time? Here is where the variables start flowing and where the parents have to make the decision based on priorities and/or individual needs.

 

My apologies for the lengthy responses and preaching.

[TouchTheLine]

Any coach should be encouraged to go to any game at any level as often as they can, however, that is where it should end. I do not like the idea of coaches talking to other players and parents from schools not in their feeder system, not even if it is parent initiated.......

[Hoops4Life]

Any coach should be encouraged to go to any game at any level as often as they can, however, that is where it should end. I do not like the idea of coaches talking to other players and parents from schools not in their feeder system, not even if it is parent initiated.......

 

So the coach, when approached by the parent is supposed to say to the parent. It was really nice talking to you about your son/daughter, good luck in the future, but because you live in a certain area you are bound by your address, and I shouldn't allow you to come to my school even though you may want to.

 

Not going to happen. And absolutely shouldn't happen.

[throwback32]

So the coach, when approached by the parent is supposed to say to the parent. It was really nice talking to you about your son/daughter, good luck in the future, but because you live in a certain area you are bound by your address, and I shouldn't allow you to come to my school even though you may want to.

 

Not going to happen. And absolutely shouldn't happen.

 

There is a major difference between "allow" or talk to parents who approach certain schools or coaches AND actively seek out /(I'm about to say the "R" word).....Recruit middle school players.