Absolutely agree, Crunch-Time. I just wanted to tell my story, which I had just told to someone at work this morning, since it showed that sometimes.......sometimes........the fault may not lie with the player. Interestingly enough, the physical aspect of my deal didn't negatively affect me as much as the "grudge" part, the mental part, that came later. As you said, the physical part was "just there" back then and most players dealt with that. Ultimately I dealt with it all and took some pride in refusing to let the coach keep me from playing the sports I loved. As you said, sometimes "sucking it up" can provide a valuable lesson.

 

But your "expectations" paragraph is right on the money. Times have definitely changed and there is a need for strong, fair leadership.

 

One more thing about my story. Even with the "issue" the coach and I had, to this day I respect and appreciate him for the fundamentals of the game that he taught, things I used for years as a player and later as a youth coach. I simply won't let that incident blind me to the good my coach did in the big picture.

When a player decides to quit for whatever reason I think the coach should give the player a couple of days to truly decide. Kids make mistakes and make rash decisions. Parents should encourage the kids to stick it out regardless of how bad it gets at least for that season. It really needs to be between the player and the coach and not everyone else. It should not matter how much of an impact player they are--if they are an impact player and they want to quit then they would probably cost your team in the long run. I have actually had parents tell me they were mad at the coach for letting their daughter quit??? That is crazy!! Kids have too many options these days and basketball requires work and if it gets too hard it is too easy to walk away!!:walk:

This is purely a coach issue. Actually a Leadership issue. People will do what you let them do and what they have seen others do before them. If as a leader, you are consistent and fair you will gain the trust and respect that is needed to lead any organization or in this case team. So how do you handle it? Like a leader. You begin each year by expressing your expectations and your dos and don'ts and the consequences for misconduct. Then when someone breaks a team rule, you follow thru with what you said you would do regardless of the talent. Sure you and the team take one in the chin during that instance, but your reputation of not allowing sub standard conduct will carry with you and possibly keep it from happening in the future. The key is the respect. Once you earn the respect alot of these conduct type issues won't happen.

 

ABSOLUTELY!!!!! The reputation of not allowing sub standard conduct is by far one of the most important traits (IMO) of an EXCELLENT coach. It is way too easy to quit things these days when the going gets tough!! Awesome post!!!!!

This is purely a coach issue. Actually a Leadership issue. People will do what you let them do and what they have seen others do before them. If as a leader, you are consistent and fair you will gain the trust and respect that is needed to lead any organization or in this case team. So how do you handle it? Like a leader. You begin each year by expressing your expectations and your dos and don'ts and the consequences for misconduct. Then when someone breaks a team rule, you follow thru with what you said you would do regardless of the talent. Sure you and the team take one in the chin during that instance, but your reputation of not allowing sub standard conduct will carry with you and possibly keep it from happening in the future. The key is the respect. Once you earn the respect alot of these conduct type issues won't happen.

Right on the money .