raptor doodz... need your thoughts on something.. for real-too long for chatz.
its a post about a young soccer player under my tutelage, so lets just assume I already know the nonsense youre going to say about the sport, so save that for next time this is more about the human condition.
My philosophy on the sport is. "Get more kids playing better, with a passion for it" not just because moms want to hang out and have starbucks while they talk $hit about other moms(common).
The club I coach for, is a traveling, higher level system. Not cutthroat or anything, but higher expectations, more drive. Usually, before the season, there is a "teaming" day, which is a tryout of sorts. But, Not to cut kids out, but to place them with the correct age groups, divisions etc, for their development.
With that in mind, heres the story:
We held the teaming in June. Roster was set... all ready to go late July. Got my Finalized roster last week(training started this last monday) , brand new kid on my list! (Wtf lol Ive already contacted everyone and had a team/parent meeting). very young for my age group. Parents names dont match his name..so I expect some drama, it may be petty but i mentally prepare for stuff like that. Ill be honest, Parents suck sometimes.....
well. This kid shows up.. And is Probz the worst behaved child Iv'e ever had the opportunity to coach. (i have had some bad ones) Day one, 20 minutes in.... ripping off practice jersey in frustration, "i'm not good, nobody passes me the ball, nobody likes me" says kids are making fun of him. I heard Banter.... very minimal, appropriate for 11yr old boys. Walked off the field 5 times. The assistant coach, ran one drill, which was just a warmup leg stretch, the kid refused to listen. -he gave up :/
The boys on my team are pretty talented, my son included, but they work hard for it. During Some 1 on 1 drills, my boys were just taking him down(as I would expect-full effort). 5 times this kid ripped of his kit and walked away. I took a few of them aside and asked them to chill, not embarrass the new kid.
-would you do this, or let nature take its course-if he quits he quits? on a coach level, i can understand just letting it go.... but on a human level I am in a Struggle.
by day 3 he was better but still very bad. head butting goal post because kick went astray.... calling out other boys, tattling on them for innocent banter(i was listening)..... ugh. BUT, I got a fist bump out of him at the end, like he had fun....
Now, why im struggling... After day one practice, he must have went home upset... Got email from mom warning me about him... actually turns out NOT mom. Mom died, and, dad is in prison. THis is his guidance counselor, and together with the principal of his school, they are raising him. Eff....feel horrible. I hate when people give up on or hurt kids for their own agendas....I wnat to help this kid.
So type of advice i'm lookin' for... How to balance the extra care this kid will require, without affecting the other kids' development. We are not a "Winning is all" type of club. But if its not important, why are we here even playing at all....amiright?
How much help is too much.
When this kid gets put into his first ISL league match next weekend, hes going to get absolutely demolished. and its going to hurt. If he pulls even half the rage he had from practice, Im going to have to yank him....
we've all had this experience of being outclassed, its life, its what drives us. (think peels first time he rolled his bashed up 3 mod 660 from shithole iowa to the dunes and got dusted lol)
But really...if I have a chance to push a kid down a positive path, and I dont try...ill feel responsible for helping his demise.
mostly, just venting... so thanks for listening.
