Is this fair?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
United States
December 3, 2012 5:59am CST
Many of you know, my 10th grade son has played on the varsity soccer team the past 2 years in a row. They did not do so well either year, although they do have a lot of good players.
This year their coach is holding off season workouts 3 days a week after school. These workouts began the moment the season was over. All they do is meet up in the weight room and lift weights and stuff.
My son has been to a few of these workouts, but not all of them. It's difficult for him because of scheduling. Sometimes he skips them because he just doesn't want to go.. other times he has to skip them because I need him home because I'm working.
But the coach keeps saying that anyone who's not making it to every weight lifting session may not find themselves on next year's team. He posted a note today on their Facebook group commending those that do go to every practice (and named them) and said for the rest they probably won't be on next year's team since they aren't showing any dedication to the team.
I don't really think that's fair. These kids have lives and shouldn't be required to do off season weight lifting in order to remain on a high school sports team! Especially soccer... I didn't think soccer players were supposed to train on weights!! They're supposed to be lean and fast! I mean, if he wanted to hold some extra soccer practices to build their skills, my son would probably go to those because he just loves to play.. but lifting weights is kind of pointless in my opinion, and I don't think it should be mandatory that these kids show up in order to be on the team. Soccer season is over.. give the kids, and their families, a break!!
1 person likes this
13 responses
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
22 Dec 12
Well, I don't think they should be required to do the off season weightlifting. But it should be by choice and not have them judged by those choices. Tell the coach he can pay the babysitter then when your son can't be home. But in all fairness I think he is having them do weightlifting to help build their muscles in their legs and give them possibly more confidence about their body. You can lift weights without getting ripped and buff...but it helps build stamina when they are on that field huffing and puffing..it gives them the extra push to carry it through or so in my thoughts anyhow but hey I could be way off. But it shouldn't be nothing against them if they don't go.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
22 Dec 12
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.. that it shouldn't be mandatory.
Now my son is thinking of switching sports next year anyway.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Dec 12
I'm afraid u will find out as i did when my sons were playing sports that the coaches can really be unfair & a horse's a**. they have their favorites, usually kids that come from rich families that contribute big bucks to the program. my youngest son graduated 11 years ago but if the football coach he had was on fire i wouldn't even pee on him to put the fire out.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
5 Dec 12
LOL, you're funny.
During the season the coach didn't act like that.. it's just been since the season was over and the weight lifting began. He's not taking favorites, either, as far as I can tell.
Football coaches probably get away with more, especially if they're winning.. because football is a much more popular sport in this country.
@GardenGerty (157546)
• United States
3 Dec 12
High school sports are almost more cut throat than higher levels. The coach may be painting himself into a corner. He should select the players with the best skills not the thoughtless conformity. It is my understanding that light weight training benefits all sports by increasing strength and endurance. There is also such a thing as over training. They probably do hot need to bulk up.Is there an athletic director that is over all the sports? What does the school board think of this?
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
4 Dec 12
It's not something I'd given much thought to until I saw the FB post this morning. I'm not sure I want to cause waves right now.. and my son is not sure if he wants to play soccer next year. He's actually thinking of going back to football. I just don't know.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
4 Dec 12
That is one dedicated coach. Maybe if you talk to him and have him understand that your son loves soccer but the schedule is too hard for him to handle he might reconsider. I don't think it's fair. I have never heard of them extending the season to include weight lifting!
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
4 Dec 12
It's not an extended season, and it's not mandatory from what I've heard.. he just keeps posting on Facebook that players who aren't showing up won't make the team next year. I didn't find it fair.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
3 Dec 12
I honestly do not think that it is fair at all. It sounds as if the man is desperate and doesn't know what to do so he dreams this weight lifting up. Why should kids be penalised? Din't take this lying down Kat - please cmplain as I am sure that there are other children who may be in the same position and just cannot make every training practice. The coach is being so unreasonable
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
4 Dec 12
I keep hoping maybe it's empty threats. I don't see how he can force the players to show up and not choose them if they don't. IDK.. maybe I will talk to someone soon.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
3 Dec 12
I know that some might think that this is how the US gets their athletes better and stronger than everybody else. They have dedicated kids that go the extra mile to work out even off-season.
Yes, there might be truth to this, but I also think that time off is also important. Specially if it is spent with family. And I think it is not fair for coaches to cut off someone from a team not because of his talent and whatever teamwork skill he or she has, but because he or she chose family as more important.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
3 Dec 12
My son is a die hard athlete.. during off season he spends most of his time outside playing with his brother or with friends. He may not always be playing soccer, but he's running, staying active and perfecting some skills such as endurance and teamwork. I say that's good enough. In our community most kids have the opportunity to play outdoors or whatever. Whether or not they choose to is another story, but I don't think the coach should force them to do something in order to make the team next year.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
4 Dec 12
At some of the schools around here, they start practice for sports 3 weeks before school starts (in the summer) and the kids practice for 3 hours a day.
It can be intense.
I don't think the coach is going to choose the team based entirely on attendance, but if he wants more kids to attend, he's going to threaten them.
@ctryhnny (3460)
• United States
3 Dec 12
It's so not fair to those kids. Like you said soccer season is over and they have lives to live and other commitments that they have to do and look forward to seasons end to do them. Yes, they should give the kids a break. The coach is a jerk saying if they don't show they are off the team. And weight lifting? I bet there isn't another school doing this. I would talk to him and fill him in on your sons life.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
3 Dec 12
Seems like the coach needs to get his priorities straight... they lost two years in a row... and he makes them lift weights 3 days a week... then threatens to remove those who do not attend that "session"... i don't get the logic in that...
If they were prefecting or studying strategies and techniques that the team can use during the next season... then removing those who are frequently absent is justifiable... but they are not doing that... i just don't get the logic of that coach...
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
5 Dec 12
I agree with you, but my opinion doesn't count because I know nothing about sports.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
4 Dec 12
Hey kats! I also don't see the point in weight lifting for soccer, but
then again I don't know that much about soccer to begin with either.
But, I also know that it doesn't seem right to put so much pressure
on 10th graders who have other responsibilites and make them feel
pressured like that. I think that it is a bit extreme to threaten
them into weight lifting just to make the soccer team. I could see
if they were missing soccer practice, but I agree with you that the
kids need a break when the season is over.
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
3 Dec 12
for sure it is fair and which you did in here is correct and the team maintenance and family spirit is held high and kids needed a break
• Ukraine
3 Dec 12
To tell the truth,if your child wants to be successful in sports of any kind,he shouldn´t give up training....never!!!All well known spots professionals have been trained since childhood,but if you child isnt going into it seriosly,then yes,vacations are for rest
