When a "Coach" shouldn't be a Coach

[1tuffmum]

Lenski65 my apologies for calling you a jerk. However, Google had already been attempted and that's how I got the info that I do have. I was looking for something more in depth. I'm not asking for a page for individual parents to rant about bad coaching decisions etc. I was more interested in extreme situations, and by that I mean to the point that other coaches/ organizations have concerns. This could also be a place where coaches/ organizations get recommendations from parents. If it is a tool used to rant about an issue such as playing time, I believe there is already a section for that. I would hope that serious issues would be far and few between. The section could also be used to inform parents on what to look for, good and bad. I don't know how it would work, but I can certainly see the issues that have been raised. Thanks to all who replied.

 

[nonparentcoach]

Im with flarays. Not a good idea!

 

[AJs_Dad]

I completely understand what 1tuffmum is saying. We entered the arena that is fastpitch softball just about a year ago. I searched this internet that you speak of, and still got a coach whose team disbanded before game one of the spring season. And of course we lost all the money we put toward tournaments that we weren't going to. And my daughter was ready to quit softball forever.
I would love to tell anyone about our experience, so parents and kids don't have to go through the same ordeal, but...I've encountered some problems with that...
First, a lot of people don't want to say a bad word about about a coach, lest they be labeled a mal-content. Secondly, I've tried to use this very forum to get an assessment of coaches, and have discovered how filtered these threads are - threads and replies quickly disappear if anything negative is said. Oh - and also be threatened to be sued for libel. lol
If an internet forum is not the place to complain about bad 'coaches', I'm not sure where the correct place would be.

 

[flarays]

I completely understand what 1tuffmum is saying. We entered the arena that is fastpitch softball just about a year ago. I searched this internet that you speak of, and still got a coach whose team disbanded before game one of the spring season. And of course we lost all the money we put toward tournaments that we weren't going to. And my daughter was ready to quit softball forever.
I would love to tell anyone about our experience, so parents and kids don't have to go through the same ordeal, but...I've encountered some problems with that...
First, a lot of people don't want to say a bad word about about a coach, lest they be labeled a mal-content. Secondly, I've tried to use this very forum to get an assessment of coaches, and have discovered how filtered these threads are - threads and replies quickly disappear if anything negative is said. Oh - and also be threatened to be sued for libel. lol
If an internet forum is not the place to complain about bad 'coaches', I'm not sure where the correct place would be.

No one is saying people can not speak their minds. But on this forum you have the ability to sign up with many names - as you obviously have admitted to doing - and do so anonymously. People tend to be pretty brave when this is the case. Maybe might even stretch the truth a tad when they are not going to be held accountable. Throw in the fact that these anonymous posters can call out people, and use those peoples real names without recourse, you get a potential firestorm.

If what was being proposed by you and others would follow a change where the posting public had to use their real names and team affiliations when signing up and posting I don't think anyone would have an issue with it. I know I wouldn't - and don't.

 

[CARDS]

Lenski65 my apologies for calling you a jerk. However, Google had already been attempted and that's how I got the info that I do have. I was looking for something more in depth. I'm not asking for a page for individual parents to rant about bad coaching decisions etc. I was more interested in extreme situations, and by that I mean to the point that other coaches/ organizations have concerns. This could also be a place where coaches/ organizations get recommendations from parents. If it is a tool used to rant about an issue such as playing time, I believe there is already a section for that. I would hope that serious issues would be far and few between. The section could also be used to inform parents on what to look for, good and bad. I don't know how it would work, but I can certainly see the issues that have been raised. Thanks to all who replied.

Communication is in short supply anymore...
Since the crash of the old site there was many threads on what questions to ask, red flags to look for etc in team selection.
In my opinion there is no need for a coaches ranking but I can see the value of a star rating system for teams/organizations.

Just like when you make a purchase for a product or service its buyer beware with youth sports... A lot of parents do not ask the correct questions before accepting offers or, in the early stages and it comes back to bite them.
Parents need to look for red flags! Here is a couple examples:
A. Unless it is 11U or under stay away from teams that need a lot of players! Ask who is the returning core group and talk to the parents at the parents meeting before any money trades hands!
B. If the team is older than 11U and the coach only has one maybe two years experience and needs half a team this is where a lot of teams fall apart so this too is a red flag.
C. If the team does not have a meet the team night (I always did mine in late August) you may not have a team?.
D. Ask what is the fall and winter activities? I always paid mine in advance so I had a schedule of events and practice locations, days and times.
E. If at the first practice the coach does not have or cannot afford balls, bases, tees, pop ups, and other equipment that too is a red flag?
F. Ask the coach if he has any coaching credentialing. It does not mean they know what they are doing but it shows that they have vested some time into the art of coaching.
G. What fundraisers does the team do? Does the team have any sponsorships? I was lucky enough to be able to use my connections with WORTH early on and the team switched to MIKEN from 12U through 16U. MFG and private companies do not pass out sponsorships left and right so if a team has one the coach or organization has been around a while.
As far as rating teams/organizations this does not guaranteed success or that one will complete the season since someone could do like a lot of companies do and sit and draft many 4 or 5 star reviews to make them look more attractive. Here is what I would say would be some areas to review:
1.How long has the organization been established?
2. Are they a nonprofit 5013c
3. Do they offer a variety/mix of teams
4, Does the organization meet the goals of their mission statement?
5. Does the organization/team have a means of growing players? We use softball school that I have shared with other organizations that help a ton especially at the younger ages.
6. Does the team organization give back to the community? Are they involved with the local recreational leagues? We help out with the REDS Urban youth program, donate old uniforms equipment etc and have put on clinics for the local catholic recreational league coaches.
7. If the team / organization offers college showcase teams what invite events have they attended? What is their success rate with players playing at the collegiate level?
8. How well does the teams compete? Has the organization ever won a national?
9. Does the coaches attend PD? PS;(The REDS have a nice one coming up in a few weeks)!Are the coaches ACE certified, NCFA members, First Aid / CPR certified. Have they completed the available free concussion awareness program?
10. Does the team break down where the fee money goes?Do they return unused monies?Do they require a deposit or must fees be paid upfront?
I am sure the masses can continue to add to the list but these are areas I feel can help parents understand a little more about a team/organization besides just winning...
Know where you want to go. Do not dream about it plan for it. Set goals and Make It Happen!

 

[1tuffmum]

Cards that is perfect advice. Exactly what I was looking for. If I had that list in the beginning I would have ran for the hills. In my case, after the fact, and recently at tryouts, as soon as my daughter or myself said what team we had played for, we either got these oh my god looks or coaches shared their terrible experience with this coach. I think my case is extreme in nature, but I'm just curious as to how this guy keeps switching from organization to organization without anyone batting an eye. Are leagues required to do background checks?

 

[Fairman]

in teg ri ty
noun
1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
"he is known to be a man of integrity"
synonyms: honesty, probity, rectitude, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, scrupulousness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness More
antonyms: dishonesty
2. the state of being whole and undivided.
"upholding territorial integrity and national sovereignty"
synonyms: unity, unification, coherence, cohesion, togetherness, solidarity



I believe that this is the most important attribute of a coach AND the team. The quickest way that I have found to assess this quicksilver attribute is to simply spend a game in the stands with the parents watching a game of a team that we are interested in. If there is an under-current of unrest, distrust, meanness, etc... it is time to move on. 12 sets of parents can't cover-up grave integrity short falls for seven innings. Use this method as an initial filter, if you can't see spending a summer with these people and that coach it will save you a lot of heart-ache.

Cards list would then be used for the few teams/coaches that make the cut.

 

[TnTs_Dad]

If you offer an area to rate coaches, you have to have a section to rate parents as well.

 

[CARDS]

Cards that is perfect advice. Exactly what I was looking for. If I had that list in the beginning I would have ran for the hills. In my case, after the fact, and recently at tryouts, as soon as my daughter or myself said what team we had played for, we either got these oh my god looks or coaches shared their terrible experience with this coach. I think my case is extreme in nature, but I'm just curious as to how this guy keeps switching from organization to organization without anyone batting an eye. Are leagues required to do background checks?

Coaches like players are free to move from team to team.
Some leagues require a criminal background check but unless there has been a formal complaint or the coach was convicted of a crime they are free to participate even if they are incompetent.
A lot of the larger organizations vote in teams/coaches. With the exception of 8-10U the coach has to be established with a solid core group to join.