We ran on the track in high school. We ran 400s, 800s, and miles about 3 times each week. I don't really understand what running a mile has to do with basketball though. I understand you want players to be in shape, but its a completely different type of conditioning with basketball. That being said its ounds like 2 guys who probably didn't participate in off season stuff so the coach was trying to either test them or get rid of them.

Since when is running the mile to tryout for a team unfair lol? Man, that used to be a requirement before we even stepped into the gym for basketball when I played. If you couldnt do the mile, you couldn't play. It is a given, the boys in the gym already qualified, so the two boys who are trying out need to do the same. I don't see how the coach is being mean?

 

The others were not running. Only shooting around in the gym while the other two were on the track running. There was no required mile time for the others.

If you're out of shape, it'll be obvious on the court.. You then give them minimal court time and cut them after day 1. Running beforehand seems like a waste of time for the coach.

The comments about showing commitment is a valid point. I just think to tryout for a basketball team, the tryout must require a ball. I don't like JUST the running until you throw up method.

The comments about showing commitment is a valid point. I just think to tryout for a basketball team, the tryout must require a ball. I don't like JUST the running until you throw up method.

 

I have been associated with a few teams where there was a time/distance requirement, but it usually just meant more conditioning as opposed to make or don't make a team.

The others were not running. Only shooting around in the gym while the other two were on the track running. There was no required mile time for the others.

 

Did they skip summer workouts/scrimmages?

Here's the deal, the top seven basketball players in the school will play, in most high schools the other eight really don't matter they won't play much anyway. I don't care if they played football, soccer, or nothing the best will play. Every year little Bobbie and Billie (along with their parents) get their feeling hurt because an outsider takes their playing time. It's not how dedicated you are over the summer it's how you put the ball in the hoop. Sounds like the coach has a son or is good friends with little Bobbies parents.

Here's the deal, the top seven basketball players in the school will play, in most high schools the other eight really don't matter they won't play much anyway. I don't care if they played football, soccer, or nothing the best will play. Every year little Bobbie and Billie (along with their parents) get their feeling hurt because an outsider takes their playing time. It's not how dedicated you are over the summer it's how you put the ball in the hoop. Sounds like the coach has a son or is good friends with little Bobbies parents.

 

In a lot of people opinions, not the case here. I wish I could mention the school and the talent that could potentially be on the floor but isn't because of coaching. But according to the second post, we'll keep that under wraps.

CCH24 how were these kids as freshman? It just really sounds like a coach testing the kids. As a lot of people have said there are easier ways to cut the kids. If he is going out of his way to be malicious to these kids then there is an issue.

In a lot of people opinions, not the case here. I wish I could mention the school and the talent that could potentially be on the floor but isn't because of coaching. But according to the second post, we'll keep that under wraps.

 

Ok CCH. I know exactly what school you are talking about, and I know exactly the players you are talking about. But besides the point, you are saying the coach should put the 5 best players in the school out on the floor, the talent that could potentially be on the floor but isnt because of coaching.

These are very funny comments to me, playing freshman year and then coming out your senior year without playing for the last 2 years is pretty hard to adjust to. Just because a player dominates in your "IBL" league doesnt mean they are one of the top 5 players in the school. Its a much different game, playing High School then it is in pickup games or Intramural Leagues. As for the coach doing what he did, I dont blame him, because I know one of the players didnt even start or really contribute on the freshman team his freshman year. So do you honestly think that he is just going to let you guys come out and practice with the rest of the team? Maybe if this was Shaq we were talking about here, but its not, the coach is obviously testing the commitment, or doesnt want any interferences with the rest of his team.

Wow and the clues unravel. I think I have the school and coach picked out.

 

Folks, just go on this statistic alone. There are going to be possibly 12 parents happy each year when it comes to HS basketball. You are going to have your 5 starters on the Varsity and 5 starters on the JV. You might have 1 or 2 leftover who play alot as the 6th man but pretty much that 7th or 8th man is the kid whose parent thinks he should be playing more and any kid on the bench after that the same.

 

Its a no win situation for coaches.

We don't know all the issues of this situation. What kind of kids are they? Are they discipline or academic problems? Are they just trying out because it's their senior year? Are they going to be a cancer to the team and destroy the team chemisty? I've seen this happen too many times by allowing seniors, who have sit out a year or two, to be on the team and then they just create problems and undermine the entire program. They definately haven't been committed to basketball or wanted to be a part of the program the last two years. I don't see a problem with what the coach is requiring.

I have always thought that basketball is the hardest sport to coach because you have more guys sitting on the bench than you do playing. In football you can create specialization for kids that will allow up to 30 kids to play on one level. In Baseball you have relievers, pinch hitters, and dh, and defensive specialist that still allow kids to play if they are only good in 1 facet of the game. In basketball you cannot do this, kids need to be able to play on both ends of the floor. If you dress 15 for a game, you have twice as many sitting (10) as you do playing(5).

What ever happened to the idea that you must earn a spot on the team--and that means doing whatever is required of you, not matter how diificult. I cringe every time I see the word unfair, because I think a there is a real sense of entitlement today that I can't understand. If guys aren't willing to prove themselves, then can they really be counted on in the fourth quarter. It's not a question of skill--I think it has more to do with commitment and team play. The guys in the gym have already earned that chance, and if the guys on the track do what is asked of them, then they should earn that chance as well.

 

The sense of entitlement you are speaking of are the ones that were on the team last year that apparently do not have to try-out this year.

Ok CCH. I know exactly what school you are talking about, and I know exactly the players you are talking about. But besides the point, you are saying the coach should put the 5 best players in the school out on the floor, the talent that could potentially be on the floor but isnt because of coaching.

These are very funny comments to me, playing freshman year and then coming out your senior year without playing for the last 2 years is pretty hard to adjust to. Just because a player dominates in your "IBL" league doesnt mean they are one of the top 5 players in the school. Its a much different game, playing High School then it is in pickup games or Intramural Leagues. As for the coach doing what he did, I dont blame him, because I know one of the players didnt even start or really contribute on the freshman team his freshman year. So do you honestly think that he is just going to let you guys come out and practice with the rest of the team? Maybe if this was Shaq we were talking about here, but its not, the coach is obviously testing the commitment, or doesnt want any interferences with the rest of his team.

 

I thought it was try-outs?

 

Sounds like the coach does not have it in him to cut them, so he will just run them off.