October Sports Thread

[mae0111]

Heading into October!  Soccer is in full swing.  I had to coach DD2's co-ed team last week because the other coaches didn't show up. Those kids were nuts.  No one listened, no one could just sit during their 3 minutes off the field while the other shift played.  Kids just decided they wanted to play at that moment and headed out onto the field.  I'd call them back, and they're stare at me.  No response - just a creepy stare.  DD2 finally asked why no one was listening to me... even she was horrified.

We finally made it to the basketball training clinic - we were sick for the first 2 weeks.  DD1 really held her own.  DD2 was a mess, but that was as expected - she's never played and doesn't know how to shoot or dribble.  She was also 1/2 the size of the other kids out there (it was supposed to be K and 1st grades, but the kids seemed so big...).  So she has announced that she's never playing again 

[CrazyLucky]

DS is 8, playing soccer. His coach is a young lady (I think she's 19). She's doing her best, and I haven't complained because I didn't volunteer. After the last game, one of the parents sent a group text with something like, "Hey, just a suggestion. If a kid is sitting at the start of the game, maybe don't make them sit at the start of the second half too." Not super mean, but by sending a group text, I thought he/she was over the line. I sent back "It's really hard as a coach to keep track of that, but it usually evens out by the end of the season." Then a bunch of other parents jumped in and had the coach's back.
But THEN...
We missed two games due to the hurricane. I found out on Tuesday that they had been scheduled for Monday. Called the coach, and she was like, "Oops! I totally forgot about the new schedule." Are you kidding me? That's probably the most important job you have!!

[mustardseed2007]

Ya'll have heard my updates on soccer, so I'll set that travesty aside.

DS is doing great in Karate. We've had to switch to M/T instead of M/W practices to accommodate his sister's soccer practices and several times on Tuesday he's been the only kid. Which means they've twice given him training in swords and a couple times worked on getting combinations and technique absolutely precise. It's much more detailed than the large group sessions although he really likes both.

DD is similarly doing great in gymnastics. She getting to where she'll finally walk on the beam without holding someone's hand, and she's doing forward rolls and backward rolls over a wedge.

[waverly]

Soccer is going OK. I am kind of glad that I signed DD up for the church league as it is super relaxed. The park district league- like the parking all day on Saturdays is crazy. Practices are not as bad. Those are nice, and we get to see a lot of people we know. Two games this weekend - Church league at 10 am for DD. And park district soccer game at 3 pm for DS.

I did not sign him up for the fall basketball league, but I figure he can always do the winter basketball league. He might need a basketball class too if he wants to do it, but I think he will want to.

Between soccer and scouting the schedule is kicking my butt but September and October are the busiest times, and then it dies down Nov/Dec.

[2chatter]

DD is now in the 1% (for height haha) and has fallen off her growth curve. She’s scheduled for testing. A girl she was covering in her last game was making fun of her for being so small, which was a bad idea. DD got mad, set her little jaw and started doing tricks while going around her - it was fun to watch and after hearing why DD was literally making her run in circles it was retrospectively satisfying.

The other two are injured. I never thought I’d be quite as grateful for that as I am.

DD is loving coaching. She is amazing - she encourages them and does an incredible job delivering tough messages (like in response to questions like “why am I not starting” or “why can’t i ever get the ball!?!) and focusing on them as individuals while bringing the team along. I watched practice this week and she was running passing drills with two Dads tossing balls and shagging for her. You guys, I took DS to the bathroom and came back and was blown away by how she really looked adult out there in her baseball cap. Sports have been SO good for her and I am beyond grateful that even injured, she’s benefitting.

[mommyatty]

DD loves cheerleading. There is better participation this year. Plus all the games are at DD’s school, so it’s ridiculously convenient for us! All the other kids are public school kids, so they were kind of in awe of the campus. It’s preschool through 12th grade, so it’s much bigger and better equipped than an elementary school. DD loved showing the other girls which building has her classroom, which building is the cafeteria, her gym where she has PE, her art building... It was cute. One of the other girls said something like “You guys have to walk A LOT at this school!” Lol. They do!

[mommyatty]

Oh. And DD has decided she wants to play basketball, volleyball, baseball, and field hockey starting in junior high. Where might a person learn something about field hockey? Their school sends multiple girls to D1 colleges on field hockey scholarships every year, so there has to be a place to learn to play?

[waverly]

mommyatty, strangely our church league does field hockey. I guess it isn't strange, but seems that way to me because I didn't realize field hockey was a thing. Sometimes they call it floor hockey.

[covergirl82]

DS's football team has lost all four of their games so far. They have 3 left. I'm really hoping for a win this weekend - it would be good for team morale.

DD is doing well in gymnastics. She's close to moving up to the next level, so I'm excited for her to get to that next level because I know it will be a rewarding experience/accomplishment for her.

[186momx]

DD is having confidence issues in both gymnastics and in overall life. We had a private lesson last Saturday just for a cheerleader session and it worked. She got her motivation back with that 45 minutes session. Then all this week at practice they did conditioning and core stuff so Saturday's lesson was kind of mute.

Any good ideas how to get over mind blocks/fears?

[traveltheworld]

DS loves hockey, and so far he seems to be keeping up with the group despite this being his first season and the fact that neither DH nor I played. I have to say that even though we were not a big fan of putting him in hockey, this is probably the most organized league that we've ever been in. There are usually 3 parent volunteer coaches for every 10 kids, and the parents are very dedicated and seem to know what they are doing. I think they go through a lot of coach training.

His coaches are pretty intense though - before the first game, he gathered the kids around to give them a talk about life priorities, which according to him, are: family, school, and hockey. That's it.

[divanerd]

We started soccer this week...is 2x a week needed for 6 yo. We also had cub scouts the same day and karate earlier.

Glad it's Fall break!

[erbear]

DD1 is doing circus and she's loving it! And girlfriend is STRONG.

[sandandsea]

Ds1 was just referred to the comp team by his rec league coach. We will see what more it entails before we tell him. He’s only 6! I was hoping we were at least a couple of years from the rec vs comp divide. I’m not sure how much we are able and willing to do.

[sandandsea]

Oct 4, 2018 13:41:37 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

DS is 8, playing soccer. His coach is a young lady (I think she's 19). She's doing her best, and I haven't complained because I didn't volunteer. After the last game, one of the parents sent a group text with something like, "Hey, just a suggestion. If a kid is sitting at the start of the game, maybe don't make them sit at the start of the second half too." Not super mean, but by sending a group text, I thought he/she was over the line. I sent back "It's really hard as a coach to keep track of that, but it usually evens out by the end of the season." Then a bunch of other parents jumped in and had the coach's back.
But THEN...
We missed two games due to the hurricane. I found out on Tuesday that they had been scheduled for Monday. Called the coach, and she was like, "Oops! I totally forgot about the new schedule." Are you kidding me? That's probably the most important job you have!!

A parent needs to volunteer to do subbing. I’m doing it for ds’s team and found a website that divides time and rotates players evenly for you so you just have to track the time to sub. It’s impossible for a coach to track that and coach if they don’t have help.

[polecat8]

I'm still trying to find my way with coaching DS1's soccer team. A few weeks ago, one of the little girls asked me why I was so bossy. I was able to calmly tell her that I was the coach and it was my job to teach them how to play soccer.
I figured out that instead of doing drills, if I make it a game, the kids will engage. So we pretty much move from game to game during practice. Sometimes I feel like I am herding cats. If one child decides to do their own thing, the rest follow. At that point, I tell them to get a drink of water to reset their concentration. They do alright during the games, but I haven't found the right combination of kids to play on the field together. I have some kids who have some great soccer skills and some who would rather play in the dirt. Maybe I'll figure it out before the end of the season.
We didn't have practice or a game in two weeks now due to the rainy weather. I'm hoping we can get our game in tomorrow.

[CrazyLucky]

Oct 4, 2018 21:27:03 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Oct 4, 2018 13:41:37 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

DS is 8, playing soccer. His coach is a young lady (I think she's 19). She's doing her best, and I haven't complained because I didn't volunteer. After the last game, one of the parents sent a group text with something like, "Hey, just a suggestion. If a kid is sitting at the start of the game, maybe don't make them sit at the start of the second half too." Not super mean, but by sending a group text, I thought he/she was over the line. I sent back "It's really hard as a coach to keep track of that, but it usually evens out by the end of the season." Then a bunch of other parents jumped in and had the coach's back.
But THEN...
We missed two games due to the hurricane. I found out on Tuesday that they had been scheduled for Monday. Called the coach, and she was like, "Oops! I totally forgot about the new schedule." Are you kidding me? That's probably the most important job you have!!

A parent needs to volunteer to do subbing. I’m doing it for ds’s team and found a website that divides time and rotates players evenly for you so you just have to track the time to sub. It’s impossible for a coach to track that and coach if they don’t have help.

She has two helpers.  I defended her on the subbing thing.  DH and I both coach and know how difficult it is.  Even if you have a parent helping, they are often, uh, "helping."  My only complaint was with her not telling us the schedule.

[CrazyLucky]

Oct 5, 2018 6:56:31 GMT -5 polecat8 said:

I'm still trying to find my way with coaching DS1's soccer team. A few weeks ago, one of the little girls asked me why I was so bossy. I was able to calmly tell her that I was the coach and it was my job to teach them how to play soccer.
I figured out that instead of doing drills, if I make it a game, the kids will engage. So we pretty much move from game to game during practice. Sometimes I feel like I am herding cats. If one child decides to do their own thing, the rest follow. At that point, I tell them to get a drink of water to reset their concentration. They do alright during the games, but I haven't found the right combination of kids to play on the field together. I have some kids who have some great soccer skills and some who would rather play in the dirt. Maybe I'll figure it out before the end of the season.
We didn't have practice or a game in two weeks now due to the rainy weather. I'm hoping we can get our game in tomorrow.

I describe coaching four year olds on game day as basically just counting to 5.
Start of game
Me: Ok, five kids, we're ready
Ten seconds into game
Ref: You only have four kids coach
Me: Huh? Oh, Wesley went to get a drink.  Crystal, you go in.
thirty seconds into game
Ref: Coach, you have six kids now
Me: What?  Oh Wesley went back in
Rest of game
Me 1, 2, 3, 4, 5......1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hang in there.  The memories are worth it.

[phdmomma]

mommyatty, I played in high school. Depending where you live, some of the colleges run camps. I also went to field hockey camp for a few years in the summer (it was one week, overnight). Here is a link to the ones run by Nike (https://www.ussportscamps.com/fieldhockey). I went to one of those for a few years, and it was good, although intense.

[phdmomma]

DD had dance last night, and didn't want to go in the room (it's at an old school, that is now owned by the Rec League). The other mom there was suggesting I sit in there with her. She hasn't had a problem the other weeks, so I popped her in and shut the door, and watched through the window. She pouted for a minute and then went to dance with the other kids. My feeling is that if I have to leave work early to get her there, then she needs to do the activity that she picked.

[mae0111]

Oct 5, 2018 7:23:19 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

Oct 5, 2018 6:56:31 GMT -5 polecat8 said:

I'm still trying to find my way with coaching DS1's soccer team. A few weeks ago, one of the little girls asked me why I was so bossy. I was able to calmly tell her that I was the coach and it was my job to teach them how to play soccer.
I figured out that instead of doing drills, if I make it a game, the kids will engage. So we pretty much move from game to game during practice. Sometimes I feel like I am herding cats. If one child decides to do their own thing, the rest follow. At that point, I tell them to get a drink of water to reset their concentration. They do alright during the games, but I haven't found the right combination of kids to play on the field together. I have some kids who have some great soccer skills and some who would rather play in the dirt. Maybe I'll figure it out before the end of the season.
We didn't have practice or a game in two weeks now due to the rainy weather. I'm hoping we can get our game in tomorrow.

I describe coaching four year olds on game day as basically just counting to 5.
Start of game
Me: Ok, five kids, we're ready
Ten seconds into game
Ref: You only have four kids coach
Me: Huh? Oh, Wesley went to get a drink.  Crystal, you go in.
thirty seconds into game
Ref: Coach, you have six kids now
Me: What?  Oh Wesley went back in
Rest of game
Me 1, 2, 3, 4, 5......1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Hang in there.  The memories are worth it.

So true.  My whole job as a soccer coach for both kids was to make sure we had the right # of kids on the field, timing the shifts, and making sure that everyone sat out for roughly the same amount of time.  For the all-girls league, the bench is on one side of the field, spectators on the other, and parents aren't allowed to be on the bench side unless they have had a background check by the league.  The bench is insane with kids dumping their water bottles out to make and play in mud, but at least they're there.  It makes it slightly easier to keep track.

Co-ed league is a complete sh!t show.  Kids won't stay on the bench, parents won't stay in the spectator area, I have no idea who is who because it's a different town and I don't know the families.  So parents were mad that little Susie didn't play... but little Susie wouldn't sit with  her team, so I didn't know if little Susie had quit for the day... then little Susie just decided it was her turn and trotted onto the field, snack in hand, ignoring my requests to come off and wait with her team... parents shooting daggers the whole time...

[2chatter]

sandandsea - we’ve been invited to 6,382 competitive teams across all sports the kids play. DD was scouted for vball and the two programs didn’t realize I was her mom until I interjected to not waste their time, she wasn’t going club - it was so weird to realize adults were there to watch my child. You can totally choose to stay rec. It hasn’t hurt any of my kids - the key is recruiting good coaches as the kids advance and need higher level skills. Yes, my kids would be more fit if they were playing five to seven days a week, but three to four days in rec is plenty for us!

We do train with some club teams and that’s great - especially for specialized situational training in soccer and higher skills like pancake in volleyball - the things they don’t always focus on in practice or that they need to drill over and over. The leagues also offer skill sessions that they do from time to time.

So if you aren’t ready it’s totally fine to play rec.

[ilovelucyvv]

DD has only had one soccer game so far this season. Last week the weather was fine but the ground was too wet. This weekend they don't have any games scheduled even though the weather is perfect because it is a "holiday weekend". This season they are using an app to run the league schedule and the app doesn't work. The coach of DD's team announced that he is going to be out of town for the next several games and asked for another parent to step up as coach. At least I significantly lowered my expectations after how messed up last spring season was.

[mustardseed2007]

Oct 4, 2018 20:52:22 GMT -5 erbear said:

DD1 is doing circus and she's loving it! And girlfriend is STRONG.

OMG I would have been all over this as a child!!! 

[covergirl82]

DS's football team won their game on Saturday! I'm really glad they won - the team needed it for morale. And they played well, like all the things they learned in practice really clicked in this game. Two more games to go!

[mae0111]

Awesome Basketball Coach from last season just texted me to say that he’s not coaching at all this season. I’m so sad. He’s so awesome, but he coaches town soccer and club soccer - 4 teams total - in fall and spring. He’s totally burnt out. I tried to talk him into being my assistant but no go. Boooo. 😢

[waverly]

I know some people here have done private coaching.

We were invited to have our child attend private coaching for soccer with 3 other boys. DH and I were thinking no because he would be playing basketball not soccer in the winter. We are kind of against private coaching for an 8 year old. And we don’t want him to specialize or do travel teams at this age. A one time clinic or classes sure but this is paying someone a private fee and weekly. we want it to be about fun and health and making friends at 8 years old. And we want our schedule to be open ish.

I am a little skittish anyway because there as a random guy hanging around the basketball courts trying to sign kids up for one in one coaching. Then he was charged with assault- it didn’t specify but I think sexual assault against a 12 year old.

What does WP think on private coaching? I mean I know some of you do it for a specific reason that makes sense like going up a level. But this isn’t really for a reason- they are still just playing rec soccer. Although I think they did open up a spring soccer rec league. But they could always put their kid in travel or indoor soccer or soccer camp if they want more play time.

[greenmonkey1]

mommyatty In my experience the kids learned how to play field hockey when they joined the team in hs. I used to coach soccer and we would suggest the kids who did not make the soccer team try out for field hockey. The field hockey coach always needed more players and she asked us to make the suggestion to our girls. The rules I understand are similar so the kids just needed to figure out the stick v. feet piece. We have a youth field hockey league on the other side of the city, but I don't know how popular the sport is for youths around me. Lacrosse is kind of the same, but I do feel that is picking up in popularity more so than field hockey.

[sandandsea]

I also have mixed feelings on private coaching. But I am seeing how competitive soccer gets early. We are a couple of years behind you and the comp vs rec is a huge ability difference. Also in team practices you have the half that is into the sport and the half that isn’t all that into it. So there’s very little one on one coaching and teaching. Getting individual coaching vs team practices are in different leagues. And it seems like if you don’t get competitive sooner rather than later the ship will sail and there’s no catching up. But I think it’s most important for kids to do multiple sports/academics/activities and be a well rounded individual not just a soccer star. It seems often those are mutually exclusive at earlier ages.

[waverly]

Yeah it’s not my intention to do competitive, travel or even play in HS as that has become too competitive as well. I just want them to play rec. I don’t think our family has the natural physical ability to have a career playing sports. Nor do we want to achieve HS greatness in sports. But good to know that private coaching can help with specific skills. If I had a skill we wanted to work toward that would be one thing, but there is nothing I can really think of..