My son has been playing youth football for the past 2 years. This year we moved to a new city where he now plays. Where he used to play, the coaches son was quarterback and my son really wanted to play quarterback, he has always had a great arm and I told him not to worry about it and play whereever the coach puts him. The coach wanted him to play TE and DE, where my son kicked son booty! He caught a game winning TD in triple overtime to win the game. Talk about a proud daddy! 
Anyway, my question is, this year new coach, different situation. First day of practice they all asked the boys what position they played last year. They grouped the boys up into seperate groups and did drills accordingly. My son being with the QBs and receivers. They had 2 quarterbacks throwing passes to the receivers doing different routes. The QBs had a hard time getting the ball there on time and the coach was working with them. A pass was thrown to my son and it went way over his head…….
And he picked the ball up and threw it back, it was probably about a 30 yrd throw, with hardly no effort at all. Both the coaches looked at each other. Not too much longer they put him in with the other QBs and started running drills with him. He was doing alright, of course he was having a few problems with some of the running plays, being this was his first time at QB. He continued to work out with the QBs for the next few days or so. A few rainy days and practice got cancelled, then we went on vacation right before school started and he was out for 4 days. When we got back, the coach put my son with the defense and that's where he has been playing ever since. They played their jamboree this past Sat. and he played defense, very sparringly, but that's where he played. Again, I told him not to worry, just play and let the coach decide where you play. Just play as hard as you can. I can tell my son is discouraged, but he still plays his heart out……………
The 2 boys that played in the jamboree can not throw the ball at all. They tried to throw several passes and when they weren't floating in the air and picked off, they were wounded ducks that didn't get within 10 yards of the intended receiver. I want to atleast say something to the coach about the situation, but I don't know how to approach him or what to say without sounding like I'm one of those parents that think their kid is SO much better at everything than anyone else.
Okay, all of that for this…..my question is, how do you think I should approach the coach and what do I say to him, or should I even say anything at all and just let him play where the coach is playing him?
Just a little added not. I have not said anything to the coach. I have talked to my son about this whole situation and told him no matter what position he is told to play, play that position to the best of your ability. He has done nothing but that. All I was asking is, Is there a good way to approach the coach and ask him, "what his plans for my son are?" Or should I just sit back and let the coach coach and my son play?
I'm not trying to interfere/step on toes at all.
Coaches really, really, really, hate parents telling them how to run the team. I can tell that you aren't one of those parents, but still any time a parent comes up to a coach to ask a question about position or playing time or any such greivence coaches roll their eyes and sometimes will judge those kids differently. Just wanted to let you know that you are going to have to be careful about it because you don't want to come off like one of those parents.
Now that being said if you get an opportunity to talk to the coach I would say that you should introduce yourself first. Compliment the team and tell him that he is doing a great job with the kids and strike up a little small talk…and be friendly about it. Ask how your son is doing in practice and the effort that he is giving. Most likely the coach will say some positive things. Tell him that your son loves playing and was looking forward to playing quarterback, but was a little dissapointed about moving back to a different position. Ask him what he wasn't doing so well at the QB position. Because if the kid had a rocket arm like you say and the others didn't I almost gaurantee that it was the little things that your son just wasn't doing, due to his lack of experience at the position. Missing alot of practice def. didn't help the situation at the Quarterback position which is probably the primary reason for him going back to his old position. And the coach will probably tell you that. He might not have done the little things such as been verbal enough in the huddle or handing off the ball properly or any variety of things.
He will probably say "The kids got a hell of an arm, but he just isn't ready to play quarterback. We don't have the time to get him ready, when he can play effectively elsewhere, we have to move on"…or "well we felt that he was a better fit at our need for LB or TE or whatever position."
Respect the coaches decision. If your son really wants to play Quarterback then maybe ask if there was any way that he could go back to playing quarterback…and what he can do to (drills, etc) to become a better a QB…doesn't mean he will start…but if he really wants to play quarterback in the future (such as in high school or in future Youth Football) then just tell the coach that he really wants to play quarterback and wants to get some experience so he can become a better quarterback in his future playing days at the youth or high school level. The coach will probably understand and move him back if thats what he really wants to do. Like I said that doesn't mean he will start or play very much but if he really wants to be a QB he will learn a lot in practice and will have a better chance at starting the next season.
Just be carefull with it though. Coaches hate those abrasive parents. You don't sound like one so I think you will be fine. Best of luck to you and your son in the future. If you need any resources on drills, tips, etc for becoming a better QB e-mail me and I'll send you tons of online resources.
Somewhere along the line, you confused as to whether you are the dad or the coach. The dad comes to watch the games, the coach gets to run the team and manage the players.
Life is not fair. Your son is not more special that the other kids. He might appreciate it if you would back off a tad and let him be a kid on his own.
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I don't envy you. there is no nice way to do this. Its a double edged sword. If you do this, it is either going to help or hurt your son. Looking at the hurt end, he might be riding the pine. It would be nice if they would realize their mistake, but, I'm going to say this. He missed 4 days of practice, and the rain. I am guessin the coaches think he can't catch on and he's new and it was just a fluke. i don't know if you can approach this w/o opening up a possible can of worms.
I can make one suggestion. when he plays defense in practice, either rush the QB or drop back if its a pass and pick it off. Maybe they need more evidence that these boys can't throw. Something else, they might me the sons of someone that has "influence" if you catch my drift.
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ex little league football coach.
I think you should have your son say something to the coach. Tell your son that if he really wants to play QB, tell the coach that. Or he can try subtly saying he wants to play QB. I played my first game with my team last thursday, and I didn't get to play much, I just tried to stay as motivated and devoted as I could be. And I didn't get to play Offense at all. After the game I asked the coach how I could be a better runningback, and he told me some drills to do and such. And they've been having me practice nothing but Runningback since.
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Sounds like the coaches benched your son because of the missed practice. I think you should just walk up to the coaches and ask them what they think of your son. Tell them what you think, and what you want(him to play qb) and ASK them how to make it happen. Unless they are complete douches that only play their kids and friends kids at key positions, you should be able to work something out. Sounds like they aren't that type, because they let him get reps at QB. The kids playing QB now are probably the kids that played QB in seasons past, when those ducks were considered good throws. Your kid probably would be playing QB if he didn't miss practice, but at that level it shouldn't be a big deal to get him back in rotation.
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Having never coached football, but coached baseball and basketball, I had to deal with parents all the time. The best approach is to approach more from the standpoint of "how does my son improve so that he can play quarterback" You said that he has trouble with hand offs - perhaps the coach will be using the run a lot more then the pass. I think if you approach the coach more from the angle of wanting your son to improve, he will be more apt to respond kindly. Don't try to tell the coach your son is better then anyone, or anything like that. Simply say that your son really enjoyed playing quarterback, and would like the opportunity to do it again. Don't compare him to the other kids, simply ask what skills he should work on so that he might have a chance. And regardless of what the coach says, even if he just flat out tells you there's no way your son will ever play QB for that team, accept it.
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Yup…tough situation here.I am a High school coach and hate it when a parent gives me advice…its my job not his.that being said though that is high school not little league.Little league coaches should welcome idea seeing how the kids are always growing and really trying to find their position and learn the game.Keep working with your son on both sides of the ball…knowledge of both will only make him better.A good defender knows the offense and vice versa.
As far as approaching the coach…that is a risk..but worth taking. just pull him aside and quickly point out that you are not telling him how to do his job but,you have a suggestion that you feel can help the team as a whole get better.Let him know you felt the offense was progressing really good before you left for a few days and that you think he should get another shot…if not in a game at least in practice.also tell him you are in no way mad and that your son will continue to work his tale off no matter what.
As far as your son…let him know that sometimes things take time and in sports…hard work and a good attitude get you noticed…tell him Joe Montana was cut from his high school team…but he kept with it and the rest is history…good luck
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Coaches really, really, really, hate parents telling them how to run the team. I can tell that you aren't one of those parents, but still any time a parent comes up to a coach to ask a question about position or playing time or any such greivence coaches roll their eyes and sometimes will judge those kids differently. Just wanted to let you know that you are going to have to be careful about it because you don't want to come off like one of those parents.
Now that being said if you get an opportunity to talk to the coach I would say that you should introduce yourself first. Compliment the team and tell him that he is doing a great job with the kids and strike up a little small talk…and be friendly about it. Ask how your son is doing in practice and the effort that he is giving. Most likely the coach will say some positive things. Tell him that your son loves playing and was looking forward to playing quarterback, but was a little dissapointed about moving back to a different position. Ask him what he wasn't doing so well at the QB position. Because if the kid had a rocket arm like you say and the others didn't I almost gaurantee that it was the little things that your son just wasn't doing, due to his lack of experience at the position. Missing alot of practice def. didn't help the situation at the Quarterback position which is probably the primary reason for him going back to his old position. And the coach will probably tell you that. He might not have done the little things such as been verbal enough in the huddle or handing off the ball properly or any variety of things.
He will probably say "The kids got a hell of an arm, but he just isn't ready to play quarterback. We don't have the time to get him ready, when he can play effectively elsewhere, we have to move on"…or "well we felt that he was a better fit at our need for LB or TE or whatever position."
Respect the coaches decision. If your son really wants to play Quarterback then maybe ask if there was any way that he could go back to playing quarterback…and what he can do to (drills, etc) to become a better a QB…doesn't mean he will start…but if he really wants to play quarterback in the future (such as in high school or in future Youth Football) then just tell the coach that he really wants to play quarterback and wants to get some experience so he can become a better quarterback in his future playing days at the youth or high school level. The coach will probably understand and move him back if thats what he really wants to do. Like I said that doesn't mean he will start or play very much but if he really wants to be a QB he will learn a lot in practice and will have a better chance at starting the next season.
Just be carefull with it though. Coaches hate those abrasive parents. You don't sound like one so I think you will be fine. Best of luck to you and your son in the future. If you need any resources on drills, tips, etc for becoming a better QB e-mail me and I'll send you tons of online resources.
References :
H.S. Football Coach.