Multi-Sport Players

[Brian MitchellParticipant]

I am lucky enough to have a great team of kids who for the most part, are dedicated, all year round, and attend all team activities. However I have three boys who are heavily involved in basketball during our Winter and Spring seasons. The unfortunate thing is that these particular boys are currently at the top of my roster. They miss some games, but miss many practice sessions. I am growing frustrated by their lack of “full-time” commitment to the team. I am also concerned about the message they send to their soccer team mates by not being equally invested in individual and team development.

The team is U13 and we are considered Elite/D1 level in our area.

Wondered what other coaches here encounter with these two/three sport situations and how they have dealt with it.

Thanks,

Brian

 

• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by  Brian Mitchell.
• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by  Brian Mitchell.
• This topic was modified 10 years, 9 months ago by  Brian Mitchell.

[andrew crollardParticipant]

I make it clear at my start of season meeting that it is okay to do multiple sports. I also make it clear that if those players miss practices or are unable to put in sufficient effort, they will not be starting. It results in some kids choosing to do just soccer and some do two sports and make soccer their priority and skip the practices of the other sports. I’ve never had a player make soccer their secondary sport. Sure, I end up fielding a weaker 11 to start the game, but the kids understand there’s consequences for not meeting the full expectations of the team.

[Stephen RoliinsParticipant]

I think it is also a matter of philosophy and when you feel single sport specialization should begin.   I coach slightly younger kids but I have set some ground rules.  If you miss a game  for another sport game, you sit a game.  We have two practices a week, attendance at one is mandatory if you miss both, for other sport practices, you sit the game that week.  This way I try to encourage kids not specializing too early yet reward those who make the time and dedicate themselves to the team.  I try to gear the rules so you can do other sports but not to the extent that it harms others on the team

[andrew crollardParticipant]

I should make it clear that I only do it this way because of the situation of being in such a small town without another club within 50 miles. If I was in a big city, I would absolutely have stricter rules.

[Bret AndersonParticipant]

I coach a U10 team in Northern California.  We aren’t year around at this age, but I run into similar problems in the spring because several players on my team play baseball or lacrosse.  I’ve chosen to position myself as a multi-sport friendly coach as a way of attracting and retaining talented players who aren’t ready to commit to one sport.  My team typically doesn’t have many games during this part of the season so the impact is primarily on practice attendance.  I have a couple of strategies for managing the situation.  First, I worked with my club to find a non-traditional practice time when everyone could make it.  I ended up with one weekday evening practice and a second practice on Sunday afternoon.  Second, I focused on a core set of technical skills during this time to mitigate the impact of a player missing the occasional practice.  It’s not optimal by any means, but it has helped attract some talented athletes.  Another down side to this approach is losing a player to another sport.  Most of my players are soccer first, but I lost a great player this year to baseball and basketball.  It’s a tough balance to manage, and I wish you the best as you work through your situation.

[Kyle GeroParticipant]

My rule is you miss a practice you miss a half, this is if you miss for any reason other than a school activity that is pre-planned, homework does not count, if you have homework you come do it on the sideline during practice.  If you are sick you show up and I send you home and you miss no time.  But if you miss you miss a half.  They understand the rules, and they are very clear…..

Kg

[Author]

Posts