scherr

Sorry - missed the top note. Girks

Do you know if the teams listed above were girls or boys?

My daughters AAU team is playing in the Division 1 AAU National championship game today. We were wondering about the best KY team finishes in the past in the Division 1 AAU tournament. This is what we could find - anyone know any other top 8 finishes?

2009 boys 4th grade ky tarheels 8th place

2012 boys 6th grade ky spiece gators 4th place

2012 girls 6th grade ky blast 8th place

My daughters AAU team is playing in the Division 1 AAU National championship game today. We were wondering about the best KY team finishes in the past in Division 1. This is what we could find - anyone know any other top 8 finishes?

2009 boys 4th grade ky tarheels 8th place

2012 boys 6th grade ky spiece gators 4th place

2012 girls 6th grade ky blast 8th place

The new brackets are posted on the nkmsaa website. (Nkmsaa.com) I would like to give props to the nkmsaa and their follow thru with changing the bracket play. Same districted teams have been moved to opposite sides of the bracket. This (as best as possible) ensures the two best teams will be in the finals. A well run organization recognizes mistakes and makes the appropriate changes. Great job nkmsaa.

If the two best teams in the region are in the same district shouldn't they play in the finals? Why is it bad if the finals are two teams from one district? Isn't that the point?

This seems very logical to me. You can rotate which district plays which every year and still have the same districted teams on either side of the bracket. Why in the world would any of the brackets for any age or gender be set up differently?

I could be totally wrong. But it would seem to me that the only way to ensure the two best teams are in the final is to always have districted teams on opposite sides of a bracket. What if the two best teams in the region are from the same district?

I believe what is currently posted there is incorrect. I spoke with the director of the NKMSAA, districted teams are supposed to be on seperate sides of the brackets.

BogDP or someone closely involved with the Union Raiders will need to clarify this for us. Despite how it may have appeared earlier in the thread, I doubt that Ryle varsity coaches were actually coaching the Union Raiders. I think they helped establish the team but I doubt they coached it. BigDP, Coop or some other Ryle parent out there want to clarify this for us?

I posted this earlier, hopefully this will help clarify some things -

Why the Union Raiders exist:

*When Ryle freshman come into our program we don't have kids developed at key positions. Instead of having two QB's every grade (like Highlands does), we have none over 2-3 consecutive grades. Our freshman have not played together ever, and none of them know Ryle's system or expectations. Union Raider coaches can put kids into positions they will be seen to play in high school. And then help that kid develop in that position. This vision for a kid's future will keep them playing football too.

*There are kids walking around Ryle high school that used to play youth football and no longer play because they quit when they were young. Some play soccer, some don't do any sports. I don't blame anyone for quitting if they were on a team with no minimum playing time requirements. No minimum playing time requirements creates a situation where a team with 35 kids only plays 15 the whole game. A good feeder program has minimum playing time requirements, not a joke of ten minute running clock after the real game is over. There are many great athletic high school kids that weren't that athletic as a 10 year old.

*Coaches must be professional in their behavior and attitudes, this helps create an environment where young players AND their parents feel positive about the program. A good feeder program will have coaches that are evaluated regularly and then appropriately dismissed or given more responsibility. Kids want to continue to play for good coaches. Coaches must care more about developing football players and character than winning. Winning is a goal, but not at the expense of development.

*Young players should be given a vision for themselves and their future program (when Anderson HS won the state championship their seniors were quoted as saying, "we seniors have been dreaming and working together for this goal for 10 years.") - this happens when Ryle coaches and varsity players visit and teach young Ryle players. This vision happens when young players play and practice at Ryle, in the RaiderNation. This vision happens when our young players are called the “Raiders” and wear the Raider Shield sticker on their helmets. This vision keeps kids from leaving or quitting and going to other things. Ryle's senior class this year was awesome, but right off the top of my head I can think of 3 seniors (that would have started and been impact players) that quit or left to go to other schools. When kids have a vision like this they become recruiters and recruit other kids into program too.

*Parents of young players can become involved in the whole varsity program if there is a good feeder program. This creates synergy and excitement for the Ryle football. This in turn keeps parents encouraging their kids to play. It also makes them recruiters for the program. More kids, more good players.

*As a program develops a reputation parents will make efforts to get their kids into the feeder program and eventually the varsity program. There are stories we have heard of parents moving or buying a second home in Ryle district so their kids could play football there. Any student whose parent works for Boone County schools also can choose any high school. Our reputation will help those kids choose Ryle.

*Having players come into our varsity program with years of familiarity with terminology and coaching points will be valuable to the varsity team. Players coming into the high school program with the off season workout traditions and attitude will also be beneficial.

*Keeping team sizes manageable (no matter what the playing time requirements are) is vital for development. If the team size is over 30 kids, kids will start feeling lost in the numbers. Teams with 40-50 kids on it will for sure hurt kids involvement. Team size must be restricted to manageable numbers to keep kids interested and enjoying the program.

*We met with over the last few years and tried to convince the local boone county youth program that these changes needed to happen. But they were unwilling or unable (its unclear which) to change. We gave clear warnings that we would need to start our own program if changes, even just small steps didn’t happen. Based on the research we did into other great high school football program we knew these things were a major part we were lacking. And this is based on what we have seen and been told from our interviews with other successful programs. My son's experience in the BCPWFL was excellent, we liked his coach and he did a great job. I have no idea who is to blame for why the BCPWFL is structured the way it is, and everyone we have ever met or worked with related to BCPWFL have been good, well intentioned people. I am sure that every great player to come thru Boone County could point to a great BCPWFL coach who helped them develop. I applaud all these coaches and volunteers who have given time to help young football players thru the program. They want to see kids develop as young men as much as anyone else.

Our first year we had open signups, but only for one team, cutting it off at 33 players. We did not want to start off with too much. We tried to spread the word as best as possible, we had several signups from people who just heard about it and went online. The only selection was the core group of 10-12 parents that were initially responsible for moving forward. I think you will see that our new feeder program will do all the things mentioned above. There is no guarantee that this will make Ryle a perennial state championship football team, but we feel that this is a major step in the right direction. http://www.unionraidersyf.com

Glad to see you post some thoughts after sitting on the sidelines for a couple of years. I take exception to your shots you take at the BCPWFL. It's a great league, and it has some outstanding coaches and has also developed some outstanding players such as Travis Elliot, Scotty Gray and Vince Murray just to name a few. Sounds like nothing but sour grapes to me because your kid didn't get much playing time. Perhaps it's time to work a little harder. I happen to have a very good friend who has coached in the BCPWFL for over 30 years and he flat out told me that the parents have screwed this up so many times that it's not even funny. The league used to be set up as a feeder system, but a group of parents didn't think it was "fair" because one particular school kept winning all of the championships. So, of course, the parents whined and changes were made. The problem is/was always the parents. They are the root of all problems with youth sports. Most are not able to properly evaluate their own son's talent level and then whine when they don't get to play enough. It's is tough world. It's competitive. Life is not fair. Suck it up.

 

I love the BCPWFL. It has helped my kids grow as young men, become good athletes and has taught them how to respect their fellow man. I am sure the league will be in a much better place now that Ryle has taken their chosen ones and started their own, superior feeder program. Good luck with that.

Glad to see you post some thoughts after sitting on the sidelines for a couple of years. I take exception to your shots you take at the BCPWFL. It's a great league, and it has some outstanding coaches and has also developed some outstanding players such as Travis Elliot, Scotty Gray and Vince Murray just to name a few. Sounds like nothing but sour grapes to me because your kid didn't get much playing time. Perhaps it's time to work a little harder. I happen to have a very good friend who has coached in the BCPWFL for over 30 years and he flat out told me that the parents have screwed this up so many times that it's not even funny. The league used to be set up as a feeder system, but a group of parents didn't think it was "fair" because one particular school kept winning all of the championships. So, of course, the parents whined and changes were made. The problem is/was always the parents. They are the root of all problems with youth sports. Most are not able to properly evaluate their own son's talent level and then whine when they don't get to play enough. It's is tough world. It's competitive. Life is not fair. Suck it up.

 

I love the BCPWFL. It has helped my kids grow as young men, become good athletes and has taught them how to respect their fellow man. I am sure the league will be in a much better place now that Ryle has taken their chosen ones and started their own, superior feeder program. Good luck with that.

I apologize if it sounded as if I was taking shots at the BCPWFL, that was not my intention. I was hoping to show some reasons why a good feeder system for Ryle would be a good thing that could eventually bear fruit for Ryle football. My son's experience in the BCPWFL was excellent, we liked his coach and he did a great job. I have no idea who is to blame for why the BCPWFL is structured the way it is (parents or whatever), and everyone we have ever met or worked with related to BCPWFL have been good, well intentioned people. I am sure that every great player to come thru Boone County could point to a great BCPWFL coach who helped them develop. I applaud all these coaches and volunteers who have given time to help young football players.

However, I disagree with your attitude towards players less talented and not happy with their playing time. It is less beneficial for kids and the Ryle football program as a whole for their feeder system to not be developmental over trying to win. I have no "sour grapes", my son was RB of the year in the BCPWFL.

Agree with everything you have posted, but this. Highlands and the best Louisville schools have a difficult time scheduling each other....still continues.

That's not really relevant to the issue - Trinity and Highlands scrimmaged this year - Highlands lost by 7. Highlands has played Cincy St.X and other bigtime programs and won. They have had VERY good teams over the past ten years. I am sure you would agree that some of these Highlands teams could have been very competitive with the past ten Louisville Trinity and X teams. The point is that due to a great feeder program, great coaching and a great reputation/winning attitude they COULD have won a couple 6A championships over the past ten years with the limited population they draw from.

The BCPWFL has now produced Ryle in a state runner up and a final 4 situation. As well as Boone in similiar situations. They are there they are just out manned. You compare it to places like Highlands but they get a lot of players from the CCRD and some players from other systems.

A state runner up that lost by how many? Ryle's goal is to become a regular state championship team, not a state runner up. We looked into several perrenial state championship football programs in the tri-state area. Every one of them credited a strong feeder program towards their success. The total population that Highlands draws from is less than Ryle, yet year in and year out they could compete with the Louisville schools. They credit their feeder program, not the couple (there are not many) kids who move into their district (which they gave us that info too).

*When Ryle freshman come into our program we don't have kids developed at key positions. Instead of having two QB's every grade (like Highlands does), we have none over 2-3 consecutive grades. The freshman have not played together ever, and none of them know Ryle's system or expectations. Ryle kids quit playing football or leave for other schools because they haven't met and played with their future football brothers. Ryle feeder program coaches can put kids into positions they will be seen to play in high school. And then help that kid develop in that position. This vision for a kid's future will keep them playing football too.

*There are kids walking around Ryle high school that used to play football (BCPWFL) and no longer play because they quit when they were young. Some play soccer, some don't do any sports. I don't blame anyone for quitting if they were on a team with no minimum playing time requirements - this creates a situation where a team with 35 kids only plays 15 the whole game. A good feeder program has minimum playing time requirements, not a joke of ten minute running clock after the real game is over. There are many great athletic high school kids that weren't that athletic as a 10 year old.

*Coaches must be professional in their behavior and attitudes, this helps create an environment where young players AND their parents feel positive about the program. A good feeder program will have coaches that are evaluated regularly and then appropriately dismissed or given more responsibility. Kids want to continue to play for good coaches. Coaches must care more about developing football players and character than winning. Winning is a goal, but not at the expense of development.

*Young players should be given a vision for themselves and their future program (when Anderson HS won the state championship their seniors were quoted as saying, "we seniors have been dreaming and working together for this goal for 10 years.") - this happens when Ryle coaches and varsity players visit and teach young Ryle players. This vision happens when young players play and practice at Ryle, in the RaiderNation. This vision keeps kids from leaving or quitting and going to other things. Ryle's senior class this year was awesome, but right off the top of my head I can think of 3 seniors (that would have started and been impact players) that quit or left to go to other schools. When kids have a vision like this they become recruiters and recruit other kids into program too.

*Parents of young players can become involved in the whole varsity program if there is a good feeder program. This creates synergy and excitement for the Ryle football. This in turn keeps parents encouraging their kids to play. It also makes them recruiters for the program. More kids, more good players.

*As a program develops a reputation parents will make efforts to get their kids into the feeder program and eventually the varsity program. There are stories we have heard of parents moving or buying a second home in Ryle district so their kids could play football there. Any student whose parent works for Boone County schools also can choose any high school. Our reputation will help those kids choose Ryle.

*If the team size is over 30 kids will start feeling lost in the numbers. Teams with 40-50 kids on it will for sure hurt kids involvement. Team size must be restricted to managable numbers to keep kids interested and enjoying the program.

*We met with and tried to convince the BCPWFL that these changes needed to happen but they were unwilling or unable (its unclear which) to change. There are many who do believe a great feeder program will help take Ryle football to the next level. And this is based on what we have seen and been told from our interviews with other successful programs.

I think you will see that our new feeder program will do all these things. There is no gaurantee that this will make Ryle a perrenial state championship football team, but we feel that this is a major step in the right direction. http://www.unionraidersyf.com

It will depend on if they MANDATE playing time for the younger kids; if they keep all the kids having fun and keep the best ones from getting burnt out, they will be on their way!!! If they let a group of overzealous dads play only 13-15 kids so their sons can be the stars and they can win the "championship" every year, NOTHING will change.

Mandatory playing time, quality coaches, development over winning, varsity involvement, Ryle kids playing together, position development with the future in mind - it will be everything a real youth feeder program should be. http://www.unionraideryf.com