Can the YMCA Make Coaches Behave? Should They Try?
Year after year, one of the most common subjects area residents suggest as a column topic is the non-rule following, super aggressive, YMCA parent volunteer coaches. Of course, there are so many calm, rational ones out there but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about the guys with veins popping out of their necks, using unorthodox strategies. And the ones treating kindergarten soccer like there’s a university recruiter watching.
Should the YMCA do more to monitor coach behavior and tactics? Truly, is there anything they can do?
Perhaps if the Y would allow true “volunteers” instead of parents-only, this would not be a problem. I coached third & fourth grade basketball for nine years, but always had to go to Grapevine, Mesquite, or Coppell to be allowed to coach because the YMCA only allowed parents of kids on the team to coach. Back then, I had no kids. But the thing is, all the parents were so happy that they didn’t have a Dad coaching who was going to favor his child. They loved having a coach not related to any of the kids on the team. I would have much preferred to coach in the Park Cities all those years, as it would have been much closer.
UPDad is right on the money here.
A friend’s team at Town North Y has a paid coach. Yes, they are paying for a coach for their 7 year old’s Y soccer team–well north of $1000 for the season. And he only attends practices, not games, so I guess that doesn’t completely solve the problem.
My question for the Y is do they know about all the drinking that goes on at the Y Guides/Princesses camp-outs. I’ve known lots of participants throughout the years and it seems each camp-out has the same story: as soon as the kids are asleep the dads break out the Jim Beam.
They should go back to using SMU students for refs. Cheap and they know the rules. Works out better for everyone involved, including all the helicopter parents.
A.B. = tattletale
@M – I don’t think A.B. is revealing any big secrets. Everyone knows this happens in some groups – not all. Not sure if the Y can do anything about it, or if it’s their place to.
The Y should at least enforce its own rules about coaches’ behavior and about things like minimum playing time for each kid, even the less skilled. In my experience, the bad coaches were a problem of the early years, when so many dads want “Coaches child’s scoccer team” on their resumes. As the kids age, the dads move on as well, though maybe to behave the same way in Y football.
HP Lacrosse has parent coaches for the little kids and I’ve never heard complaints like I have about Y coaches. For one thing, the league blows a horn at regular intervals for substitutions and doesn’t rely on coaches to remember to sub players. Not to say a coach still can’t leave his kid or other favorite in for the whole game, but not as easy. And I don’t think the league would allow an abusive coach to continue, if they learned of it.
So, yes, the Y could do better. I think Bill Cadmon tried. I was sorry to see him move on.
UPDad makes direct hit. This is an outdated practice that frustrates many. Ever had your child ask why they aren’t allowed to play key positions or receive as much playing time as the coach’s kids? Personally I’ve never seen a PCY coach disrespect a ref or anyone else on the field. I don’t have a problem with coaches being excited and encouraging the kids (especially football).
VI – really? I’ve seen it over and over. Yelling at 9 yr olds to “kill em” … seriously. Going purple in the face. Taking a knee the last minute and half of a preseason game to preserve their 6-0 “win” – Bad sports all around.
Ahhh, memories of Y coaches screaming “ATTACK!” at their 7 year old soccer players, with predictable results
@A.B. RE: “dads break out the Jim Beam”;
Sheesh, you’d think here in the Park Cities those father’s could do a little better than Jim Beam.
If you don’t see the crazy parents, then you’re not looking. The Y seems to ignore the crazy parents, or the team stacking that goes on in some sports.
But in the end, it’s not the Y’s fault. Too many parents want to win at all costs, no matter the age of the players or the impact it has on their kids. And the sane parents don’t want to “rock the boat” with a crazy coach, because they may be friends with them, or don’t want the word to get around that they complained. And if this were something that just affected adults, then fine. But having coached many of my kids sports, this behavior has a major impact on the kids, trust me. Seeing a coach trying to not play a certain 7 year old in a soccer game because the coach wants to play his best players to win a game most definately has an impact on that kid, as well as the other players who see this behavior.
But, hey, we all know how vitally important a 8-0 record in 2nd grade soccer is to a childs development…
This is a hard one to touch,
1st YMCA “isn’t” a feeder into MIS or HP HIGHSCHOOL, it happens to be the most convenient location for the Parkies to drag, force or encourage there kids to do more then play play station.. Yes there are those whom want to play and don’t need to be dragged, but we have all seen the kids that don’t want to be there.. These poor coaches have to try to teach a kid to want to be there..
If your kid has any desire to play football, why not go to svaa, dallas select or the other twenty organizations that actaully put 11 kids on the field… and are aloud to rotate evey play to keep all kids active through out the entire game..
THE PCYMCA builds false hope for both the coaches and the player… wake up… 11 men or suppose to be on the field not 6 with a mandatory rotation of 2 guys per quarter who didn’t make it to practice and don’t follow instructions…
PCYMCA PreK, K, and 1st Soccer is the best…, Basketball is deifinitly better then upward, and football is an embarrasment to our community… We need a HP organization similar to the Lake Highland Wildcats, The Rockwall Thunder or Rock Wall Yellow Jackets… Step out of the bubble and what you will find is your living in a box
@UP… spell check maybe?
There are awesome coaches out there who treat this as a developmental tool – Football is a complex game and a dangerous one as well. Take it one step at a time, honey. No need to traipse up to Prestonwood to play 11 man… You’ve gotta be a Raider anyway before you are a Scot.
Thanks for editing,
There are great Coaches and players at PCYMCA, and there is horrible ones, PCYMCA needs to tweak it’s program, #1) coaching clinics & certification, #2) higher qualify refs #3)an actual play off system #4) Do the Raiders Staff a favor and Play 11 man in Grades 6th at latest,
All of of us have watched the “Dad Ball” If a child wants to start at QB or RB, there dad just needs to coach… It guarantees you will get more PT, (Play Time) The Clear lesson that is not being taught is competition, how to compete for a position..
That is when a false hope is created…
There is 20 plus organizations across Dallas, and they all have coaching clinics and certifications…
http://www.rysafootball.com/
http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=wildcatyouthfootball
REF, Your in a square box not a bubble,
and Plano YMCA is eleven man
ref: Yes, Raider football w/ 150 kids out there is wonderful for developing talent. Last time I checked, football was played w/ 11 people on the field for each team. I see nothing wrong w/ boys actually leaving the bubble(heaven forbid) to play 11 man. Maybe your steps are different(notice I did NOT say better or worse) than mine, honey.
Grump… exactly my point. Raider football: 150 boys, about 1 minute playing time each. Save your money, wear and tear on your car and don’t worry about playing 11 man. Your son will have a HUGE letdown in 7th grade if you do. Have some fun, support our local community. Spend your money here, not in Plano. You are not doing the Raider coaches any favors. But heck, I guess you can always transfer to Prestonwood or some other private school when you don’t get the playing time you think your superstar deserves.
How many of this fall’s starting lineup for the Scots played 11 man before 7th grade? It’s not how early you start, it’s your God given talent that will let you rise to the top. Think holding back makes a difference? Not if you have talent – one of the best Scots now is one of the youngest in his grade. So enjoy your kids, and be kind to the late bloomers that might not be stars on your Y team. They may suprise you later.
And I’d love to see some of the current Scots come in and ref the Y games: it’s a great mentoring process and community builder.
ref…like your Scot ref idea. That might chill some of the coaches out. I do support the local community. Just not on board w/ certain things…and I tire of the “that’s the way it’s always been” line. Rumor has it the football program loses alot of talent due to issues like 150 boys trying out. Talent slips through the cracks and the boys bail for other sports. Playing time is also a huge issue.
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM RANKINGS
SIXMANFOOTBALL.COM
2010 WEEK FOUR RANKINGS
Rank School (W-L) Rating
1 Garden City (4-0) 257.04
2 Ira (4-0) 253.25
3 Throckmorton (4-0) 252.52
4 Petersburg (3-0) 251.85
5 Borden County (4-0) 250.35
6 Follett (2-1) 247.23
7 Calvert (3-1) 246.66
8 Richland Springs (4-0) 242.87
9 Milford (3-1) 240.38
10 Penelope (3-1) 237.19
UPDAD and Grump, I don’t think these 10 teams (and there are many more on the list) would appreciate your note that real football is 11 man. IJS Small Town texas lives for 6 man Friday nights….
I am just glad that the parents are willing to spend their free time volunteering. It can be a thankless task at times! I also agree with Kersten. A.B. isn’t revealing anything everyone doesn’t already know. Who HASN’T heard a couple of doozies about camp outs?
Postancetlone: those team coaches and players wish they had the participants/bodies and district to support a 11 man game, as we do… They cant do to numbers. Six Man is fun to watch…
The previous point is PCYMCA is handing the seven grade coaches a 150 kids that do not have any clue as to compete for a position, play as a team or execute plays… Year after year. The few observant kids and adults whom had there children playing at either SVAA, Dallas Select, or one of the many Organizations ran by Police officers and firemen in Rockwall, Garland, Rowlett, Plano, Farmers branch, Lake Highlands are clearly stand outs in 7th grade… and with 150 kids to compete with the got guaranteed two quarters are not mentally prepare to fight/compete for or a start… Dad was, there for blame by the kids whom didn’t get to play, and Dad was not allowing his own son the opportunity to learn to compete by guaranteeing his spot on the 6 man squad…\
If you want to succeed in coaching your child. 1st approach the evaluation process with a kit glove.. if your son is an “A Player” have him trip , fall, or even fall down and cry. so his rating is an B C or D, if your son is an B, have him do the same and HOP EYOU PICK UP ANOTHE B vs. a C.
Also each coach get to pull two drawings from a PINK, YELLOW, GREEN , BLUE Bucket, to get this even disbursement of players. Also remember the board is the guy who matches your number to a roster and hands you one, always double check you number to the number on the sheet, last season a 13 was given to me , and my number was 3, I insisted that I received the 3, because I drawed a 3, well the last coach got the 13, and informed me 13 was physical and mentally disabled… but a board member whom I will compete a against all season tried to force him upon me…Outside of the guidelines of the system…
Again, If football is important to you, and you are not lazy or worried about a five to fifteen minute drive, look at http://www.svaa.org, TwoNorthYMCA, Dallas Select Football, Rockwall Yellow Jacket, http://www.PTASPORTS.org ,Rowlett Eagles, Farmers branch Tiger, GA Giants, the list goes on and on, they have a club ball, certified coaches, most played the sport at a college level, many have professional athletes volunteer for no extra charge….
If you step out of the bubble you realize your in a box! PCYMCA s perfect for entry, ages, soc, tee ball, flag, even basket ball, the tackle ball needs to be tweaked/changed just a little,
11 man
coaching clinics,
better jerseys
higher quality refs
tournament or play off system… a Representative from YMCA whom observe practice to monitor children safety and excess coaches…
Draft system by third parties, not coaches you are competing with…
This isn’t hard.. Every one be called a scot. yellow scot, red scot, blue scot, white scot, make all teams color of jersey to scot… open the season with a 4 station drill actitivty day at highlander with each station monitored by a active Scot…..Finishing with one minute of encouragment from the athletic directed of HP and a reminder the playoffs are wright around the corner hope to see your team there, and he blows his whistle for the the season begans”
11, Coaching clinics, better jerseys, better refs, play off season
draft system different.
PCYMCA IS NOT ENDORSED OR IMPROVED ON BY ANY STAFF AT HP, IN FACT THEY REFUSE TO MAKE A COMMENT, BUT ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY WHEN THEY HAVE A BOY THAT PLAAED IN A 11 MAN LEAGUE AND INQUIRE AS TO WHOM, WHER AND WANT MORE INFO…AND MAKE COMMENTS
GO SCOTS!!!!
GLAD I FOUND OTHER SOURCES OF TRAINING AND OTHER SUMMER LEAGUES