Shortdad, I dont know your kid or what kind of condition your kid is in. Understand that 99.9% of coaches would never intentionally put your kid in a position to get themselves injured.

If your daughter/son is playing every minute of every varsity game, would I as a coach play her jv, absolutely not. On the flip side, if she were a young 8,9,10 grader then I would absolutely play her jv. I feel that getting kids to play with talent on their level is a positive thing because the stress of having to play catch up isnt there. if your daughter is better than the younger girls of her age, encourage her to do individual things better during jv games and be as competitive as possible on the varsity side. Say, "you need to try and handle the ball better tonight during the jv game, set limits, try to have a good assist/turnover ratio 5:2 is a good number. Be a better rebounder, protect the ball long enough to let the offensive set develop, etc. just find out where your kid is on all this.

 

It really does not matter what the coach or you say about it, ultimately it all rests with the kid. Just throwing stuff out there. Just know that as a coach, I can assure you that your kid's coach wants the very best for her. Trust me.

Shortdad, I dont know your kid or what kind of condition your kid is in. Understand that 99.9% of coaches would never intentionally put your kid in a position to get themselves injured.

If your daughter/son is playing every minute of every varsity game, would I as a coach play her jv, absolutely not. On the flip side, if she were a young 8,9,10 grader then I would absolutely play her jv. I feel that getting kids to play with talent on their level is a positive thing because the stress of having to play catch up isnt there. if your daughter is better than the younger girls of her age, encourage her to do individual things better during jv games and be as competitive as possible on the varsity side. Say, "you need to try and handle the ball better tonight during the jv game, set limits, try to have a good assist/turnover ratio 5:2 is a good number. Be a better rebounder, protect the ball long enough to let the offensive set develop, etc. just find out where your kid is on all this.

 

It really does not matter what the coach or you say about it, ultimately it all rests with the kid. Just throwing stuff out there. Just know that as a coach, I can assure you that your kid's coach wants the very best for her. Trust me.

 

 

Agreed. Great points!! I know the coach wants what is best for her. Just to clarify...She is a freshman, she played varsity last year in the second half of the year. Is playing every minute of all varsity games this year. She is in very good physical condition, loves the game and wants to play! We think JV would help to improve her game confidence and were looking for the pros and cons of playing only JV or only Varsity or playing both. Just wondering what others "who know" thought about it. Thanks again for the input.

I don't agree w/this. I have been watching girls bball in NKY for yrs and most coaches, at the smaller schools, play their best in every game if possible. I can remember watching Rachel Lantry play in an 8th grade game on Sat morning, then play a little in the freshman game, a little in the JV game and START in the V game that night. Katie Behrens did the same when she was at Ludlow in the 8th grade. Bowling(Boone) and Smith(NDA) did this when they were in the 7th grade at Beechwood, play at all levels.

 

IMO, it is too much, unless playing time is monitored. If they are good enough to start V, they should not be dressing for any other level. Someone mentioned they should be conditioned well enough to play a whole JV/V game, NOT! Their bodies are well conditioned but not enough to put their body through back to back games one right after another. Maybe w/a few hrs inbetween but not back to back. It is not healthy!!

Actually, if you read my entire post it said if circumstances allow. At the smaller schools coaches realize that might not occur. For the most part, the middle and larger schools try to stick with it.

Shortdad, I dont know your kid or what kind of condition your kid is in. Understand that 99.9% of coaches would never intentionally put your kid in a position to get themselves injured.

If your daughter/son is playing every minute of every varsity game, would I as a coach play her jv, absolutely not. On the flip side, if she were a young 8,9,10 grader then I would absolutely play her jv. I feel that getting kids to play with talent on their level is a positive thing because the stress of having to play catch up isnt there. if your daughter is better than the younger girls of her age, encourage her to do individual things better during jv games and be as competitive as possible on the varsity side. Say, "you need to try and handle the ball better tonight during the jv game, set limits, try to have a good assist/turnover ratio 5:2 is a good number. Be a better rebounder, protect the ball long enough to let the offensive set develop, etc. just find out where your kid is on all this.

 

It really does not matter what the coach or you say about it, ultimately it all rests with the kid. Just throwing stuff out there. Just know that as a coach, I can assure you that your kid's coach wants the very best for her. Trust me.

 

Great post.

 

When my daughter was growing up, I focused on her blocking out, rebounding, deflections. Those were the areas I focused on when she showed the ability to score and could have games that she scored a lot in.

 

I would count her block outs and pay a $1 per block out.

 

I was wanting her to focus on being a complete player rather than just being able to score.

Here's something related that confuses me; kids who dress varsity only and then only play a minute or two of the game. That makes no sense to me at all. Players need to play where they can get minutes and improve.

 

I have seen a few coaches over the years play a kid in the JV game and then start the kid at varsity. The reason they did that was to get some nerves worked/player loose before the varsity game started. The two or three instances where I can think of did not involve the player doing anything more than working up a sweat. I think you would see this more common in the girls ranks opposed to the boys ranks because you see girls starting varsity in the 8-10th grade.

Here's something related that confuses me; kids who dress varsity only and then only play a minute or two of the game. That makes no sense to me at all. Players need to play where they can get minutes and improve.

 

I have seen a few coaches over the years play a kid in the JV game and then start the kid at varsity. The reason they did that was to get some nerves worked/player loose before the varsity game started. The two or three instances where I can think of did not involve the player doing anything more than working up a sweat. I think you would see this more common in the girls ranks opposed to the boys ranks because you see girls starting varsity in the 8-10th grade.

 

Growing up in another state in the early 1970s; the only hard and fast rule I remember is that seniors couldn't participate on the JV level in any sport. Therefore, there were always a few seniors on the roster who saw very little PT.

Here's something related that confuses me; kids who dress varsity only and then only play a minute or two of the game. That makes no sense to me at all. Players need to play where they can get minutes and improve.

 

I have seen a few coaches over the years play a kid in the JV game and then start the kid at varsity. The reason they did that was to get some nerves worked/player loose before the varsity game started. The two or three instances where I can think of did not involve the player doing anything more than working up a sweat. I think you would see this more common in the girls ranks opposed to the boys ranks because you see girls starting varsity in the 8-10th grade.

One of the issues is that you need players in case of injuries or foul trouble.

 

Also, you have players that have been part of the program since 3rd grade, they know their role is limited to minimal playing time, accept that role and are satisfied to just being part of the team. Parents are usually the ones that cannot accept that role for their daughters/sons.

 

Also, you need 10 to scrimmage in practice. More than that if you want to figure in any possibilities of illness, injuries and ineligibility because of grades. So realistically, you need 12-13 minimum just so you can scrimmage in practice. And yet, you cannot get playing time, significant playing time, for 12-13 players in a 32 minute game.

 

Add in the fact that the 5 best senior who got playing time (started) freshmen level down because they were only competing for PT against those players in their class, now is competing against the best in the junior class, the best in the sophomore class, the best in the freshmen class, the best in the 8th grade class and in some cases, the best in the 7th grade class (Jamie Walz) for PT. That might now make them the 10th best player on the team. And yet, as a coach, you don't want to cut that person. You sit down with them, explain their role and see if they are accepting of that role.

I don't agree w/this. I have been watching girls bball in NKY for yrs and most coaches, at the smaller schools, play their best in every game if possible. I can remember watching Rachel Lantry play in an 8th grade game on Sat morning, then play a little in the freshman game, a little in the JV game and START in the V game that night. Katie Behrens did the same when she was at Ludlow in the 8th grade. Bowling(Boone) and Smith(NDA) did this when they were in the 7th grade at Beechwood, play at all levels.

 

IMO, it is too much, unless playing time is monitored. If they are good enough to start V, they should not be dressing for any other level. Someone mentioned they should be conditioned well enough to play a whole JV/V game, NOT! Their bodies are well conditioned but not enough to put their body through back to back games one right after another. Maybe w/a few hrs inbetween but not back to back. It is not healthy!!

Agree completely. If a player is good enough to start varsity, why in the world would a coach risk them getting injured in a lower level game. Winning can't and shouldn't be that important at the lowr levels to do this.

You know, If that 8th grader plays or starts varsity, and the rest of the kids are stuck in middle or freshman ball, It could be years before they have the opportunity to create any type of chemistry. Is playing some with the young kids where she can enjoy herself to some degree a bad thing. Kids know that at the varisty level its about winning. Maybe an 8th grader just wants to enjoy herself some with her friends. Not necessarily a bad thing. Thoughts....

You know, If that 8th grader plays or starts varsity, and the rest of the kids are stuck in middle or freshman ball, It could be years before they have the opportunity to create any type of chemistry. Is playing some with the young kids where she can enjoy herself to some degree a bad thing. Kids know that at the varisty level its about winning. Maybe an 8th grader just wants to enjoy herself some with her friends. Not necessarily a bad thing. Thoughts....

And that is why the 8th grader themself, and their parents would have the opportunity to say no to any move up.

 

Also, if that 8th grader is head and shoulders the better player and the main ball handler, it gives every other player on that team to develop skills that they wouldn't necessarily have if the 8th grader stayed on the team.

 

Another player would become the go-to player. Another player would become the ballhandler. Another player would become the scorer. More individual player development, not necessarily a bad thing.

And that is why the 8th grader themself, and their parents would have the opportunity to say no to any move up.

 

Also, if that 8th grader is head and shoulders the better player and the main ball handler, it gives every other player on that team to develop skills that they wouldn't necessarily have if the 8th grader stayed on the team.

 

Another player would become the go-to player. Another player would become the ballhandler. Another player would become the scorer. More individual player development, not necessarily a bad thing.

 

 

Good, someone who thinks like myself, actually scary! Anyway, I agree. If this 8th grader is that good to start V, would she even have fun playing against the lesser talent. Obviously, she has had some great coaching to be that good. Playing down could stop her development as a player and she may never get any better. Also, ladycoach is right, if this player stays down that means another one sits the bench and maybe more. These players then do not get playing time to develope. So, who does it benefit by playing down when you are good enough to play up. The only thing I caution coaches/parents and players of when doing this is injury. Everyone has to remember there is a big age gap between the 8th grader and most V players. The skill level is obviously there but the strength and maturity level is not even close. Beware!!

 

I personally get upset w/fan/parents when playing another team who has these young girls playing V and if they get bumped and knocked to the floor that team is playing dirty and trying to hurt their players. We all know that is not true, this is where the strength and maturity thing comes into play. They can slightly get bumped and look like it is a nasty foul when in reality it is not.

 

Oh well, that is my opinion. Parents, if you are worried about your young athlete getting hurt then say no, they can not move up to play JV/V. Let them play w/their classmates and even a yr up. Just don't complain in the stands when they get knocked to the ground.

Deming has on both teams 8th graders and sometimes 7th graders playing right on up to varsity. One night in Nicholas County there was a freshman, Jv, then Varsity game all in one night.

We have 3 8th graders that played Jr. High, Freshman, Jv, and Varsity and they enjoy it. So if the kids don't care about how many games they play or have to play and if their not complaining then grownups or officals should just stand back and let them go.