I have to kind of disagree here... I think you should have taken it up with the coach first. Explain to him what is bothering you and give him an opportunity to change things up and get his act straight. He's basically trying to make extra cash without doing a lot of extra work. If he's not willing to change it up, then let him know you'll be speaking with other parents about it to see what they think and likely will transfer to another league. I know as a parent you were worried about other kids too, but just taking your kid out only helps him, not the others. That's almost 29 kids still getting screwed out of a good experience. It may seem like the coach won't change, but show him he needs to, if he wants the kids to keep returning year after year. And does your kid's school not offer after school programs? I actually worked with i9 for one school year doing just that. I ran the after school sports classes and we covered basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and even a fitness class.
As others have said, of course you did the right thing. Sounds like you are a great dad, too. Which is awesome.
codell, You definitely did the right thing, IMO. Just be thankful that you didn't endure this situation: In the fall of 2009, my daughter signed up for Pop Warner (they call it something different but it's Pop Warner) to cheerlead for the same team that she did the year before. As far as I knew, she enjoyed doing this in 2008, so I thought she would enjoy it again. Well, this other girl was on the squad and my daughter doesn't like her and this other girl got one of my daughter's best friends who was also on the squad to turn against her and now cheerleading isn't fun anymore. So, I didn't have the problem you had with a coach or parent, my problem was with girls and their drama. It absolutely killed me to see her quit like this - I told my wife that she wasn't ever going to do this again.
I'm coaching my 3rd grade son's YMCA team and some of the kids do have a hard time hitting the rim. You did the right thing codell.
I don't think I would have done this in the first place...it sounds totally shady. I'm surprised there aren't any organized basketball leagues in the Houston area for children. Unless I'm dreaming, I played in organized leagues in Katy over twenty years ago with kids my own age. It was simple, you would register your kid with the league, and they would place the kid on a team in his or her age group...I don't think there were more than 8-12 on a team. The Dad could say he would be willing to be a coach or assistant coach on the registration form. The schedule would be set at the beginning of the season, and we'd play at local elementary and junior high school gymnasiums on weekends, not an ad-hoc schedule like the one you seem to be describing. Do leagues like this not exist anymore?
there are leagues. he just thought this one was better since it was going through his school. codell, you did the right thing (duh). however, if this is through the school, it seems like you could complain to them about it. of course, you may not want to ruffle any feathers since you're able to get him into another league. sound like an awesome dad, i hope i can be the same.
The one league I'm familiar with it's the Upward program. It was well organized and kids had a blast playing there.
Seems like a little more research needed to be done. Playing against kids who are three grades older than him, shooting on a ten foot rim, never knowing when or where they're playing until a few days before, thirty kids to one coach? And that's not even the worse thing. The coach didn't even start out teaching them the basics. I don't think I could even dream up a worse situation for a first grader to play basketball. I would have pulled the plug immediately, and I agree someone should really bring this to the school's attention. They shouldn't be endorsing something this unorganized and shady.
Codell, this is also a great program.......I coached my oldest for 4 years at Upward, it is Christian based, and the kids have a blast, they rate all the kids and try to even the teams out. There are differences though, I9 keeps stats and scores and is only one day a week, where practices are right before the games etc. Upwards has a practice night and then game day is Saturday.....where we played they introduced the kids through smoke and music and you give out stars for every game, and a white star for the kid that was the most "Christ like" that week. Both programs are great, but for a younger kid like yours, I think I9 is better suited....IMO. DD
it's pretty cool to hear cf members interactions with their families. first your thread and then bobrek's new grandson. it's better to chalk this up under the "live and learn" category. the coach, as ridiculous as it seems, probably didn't know how inept he was at his responsibility... much less that he made you angry. glad to see you voiced your frustrations on the board than at him. of course you did the right thing and despite the negative stuff you and your family still came out winners. your son has a loving father and mother that are sensitive to his needs/wants (a lot of children don't have that) and an added bonus that he's still interested in basketball. g'luck with the new league.
You did the right thing. Sounds like you are a great dad and have a great kid. (offering his allowance because of leaving the program? That's awesome). Might just have to realize that sometimes there are just people who are ****ty at what they do. This dude obviously didn't grasp how horrible his coaching is. (Though you would think the ass beating in the game might finally tip him off) Find a program you and your kid will love, and where he'll really learn something.
Given the title of the thread, as I read what went on I was anticipating the part where you decked the coach... So much wrong, on so many levels with that program. I'm guessing it's the coach's first go at that age group. He may be good with an advanced team of older boys -- but coaching the young'uns is a different game. Too bad he didn't figure this out and plan the program accordingly beforehand.
You lasted longer than I would have in that scenario. It's not right for kids at any age to play against a different age group. There is absolutely no benefit to that. And like you said, your kid likely would have ended up hating basketball. Go sign him up for a YMCA league where he can just have fun for a few years and slowly learn a little bit about the game and have fun doing it. If he still likes it in middle school, that is probably the time to look for something more competitive if he really wants to get into it.
FYI update: I got him signed up through I9sports and his league starts this Sunday in The Woodlands. I was able to look up the rosters this morning. I was a bit surprised. Their rules stated 7-8 to a team. Looking at the roster, he is going to have 12 other kids on this team, 13 total. Stinks that so many kids won't even get to play half the game, but the rest looks positive so we'll see how it goes.
That is a lot, that should be 2 teams....email the commissionar.......that is far too many kids.... I have 10 right now, and all the other teams have 8.....it makes it very hard...... 2 parents put me down as coach without asking...dang it. DD
