Strategising

[Franklin]

I'm in a dilemma.

My kids' team (u12) is in a GF. Normally, my philosophy is to give give all the kids equal court time, even resting our star player - even in finals.

My dilemma is that the coach of the team we'll be playing against is a real (insert derogatroy comment here). They, too, have a star player who is probably a better player than ours. But she runs him the whole game. She has a couple of decent players and a few who are "developing". The developing players get a lot of shared bench time "watching" to see how they can get better??!

At the beginning of the year, most of my kids would've been in the developing category. While they're not superstars (yet), they are now decent players and are keen because they know they are going to play decent time.

My dilemma is, do I run with the wolves?

Trust in your instincts.....the kids will look after you and you them.......if they have got you this far they can get over the line and even if the result doesn't go your way you will have more respect from parents, players and spectators. Also your team will be better prepared for the many seasons they have in front of them

[aussieBaller]

At the domestic club I coach at, there are a set of rules, during the season its even court time but when it comes to finals do what it takes to win. I still give all the kids a go but when I need my best players they'll play longer. I prob be in the same situation my team is second and haven't lost to the teams below by less than 15 but we haven't beaten the top side and the closest we've got is 10 points. When it comes to the GF i'll do what it takes to win and the kids that don't play as much understand why.

[Trappist Monk]

franklin, you're in a tough spot. The common scenario is that if you run your team so everyone gets equal time - I'm assuming you pretty much think this means an automatic loss - the better players (and their parents) will almost certainly resent you no matter how much you try to convince them that being fair is so lovely and good for the kids' development. And the weaker kids will be down because their team lost.

If you run your better players, the parents of the weaker kids will be angry that you didn't give their kids a few more minutes than they got. They'll tell you that they didn't expect Johnny to get 40 mins but they did expect that he'd get to play at least half a game or some such.

In the event that you have kids and parents that will act like the above, the best bet is to run with your best team as much as possible and camouflage your weaker players in the mix. Try to always have 4 stronger players on court, and never less than 3.
Call subs based on the score and individual performances as you would in a game where you weren't trying to be fair to everyone. Big lead, have subs - but know how far the opposition can come back before you undo the changes.

The toughest part is for you to do a team talk in front of the parents before the game where you explain how you're going to run the team.
Bottom line is the kids want to win but everyone should get at least 8 minutes - my substantial experience is that that amount of time will leave the kid with the feeling that they contributed.

[MAIN_MAN]

Who cares. Run the star player and let the crap fat kid sit on the bench :D

[MAIN_MAN]

seriously when I had my days coaching Under 12's - 16's everyone gets into the game. It's not reps (even every kid plays at reps usually). Mums and dads are forking extra bucks to let their kids play, mums and dads are watching the games and even more so since it's a GF.
Let every kid play a decent amount of time mate...and hopefully you'll end up winning the game.

Every kid wants to get court time esp in the GF.

[BlowJoggs]

I get the whole 'let everyone play' aspect but I don't like it.

It's at a representative level, you had to earn the right to make the team, you should also earn the right to play.

As has been mentioned most associations implement a system where playing time is recorded to ensure that everyone gets a go, and I like what Traps suggested (you sound like a top coach for kids, mate) but I can't understand parents EXPECTING anything at rep level. Well, I understand it, but I don't like it.

At domestic comps fine, but reps, it should be fair game.

How else are the crap, fat kids (thanks Main) going to get motivated to beat the stars if they are already getting equal court time? Isn't the whole point of playing representative sport to win and get better. I thought the local comps were for fun and enjoyment.

[MAIN_MAN]

I get the whole 'let everyone play' aspect but I don't like it.

It's at a representative level, you had to earn the right to make the team, you should also earn the right to play.

As has been mentioned most associations implement a system where playing time is recorded to ensure that everyone gets a go, and I like what Traps suggested (you sound like a top coach for kids, mate) but I can't understand parents EXPECTING anything at rep level. Well, I understand it, but I don't like it.

At domestic comps fine, but reps, it should be fair game.

How else are the crap, fat kids (thanks Main) going to get motivated to beat the stars if they are already getting equal court time? Isn't the whole point of playing representative sport to win and get better. I thought the local comps were for fun and enjoyment.

that's just it. Social bball everyone gets a go. At reps its how good you are equals how much PT you get. However this depends on your association.
At Hills there are heaps of talented juniors and from 14's to 16's every kid will get into the game. However playing time will not be equal.
Youth League is abit different some players will get afew DNP's during the season.

[Wallitron]

It's U12's, let them all play! In ten years time, none of the kids are going to remember who won the U12's GF. The kids will remember that they enjoyed playing basketball, and were an important part of a team.

If anyone questions you, just tell them that you encourage positive reinforcement, and don't believe in sacrificing a kids self esteem for a single unimportant (in the grand scheme of things) game.

I recommend this book if you want to do some more reading:
Positive Coaching: Building Character and Self-Esteem Through Sports
by Jim Thompson
ISBN: 1886346003

[Steph]

Im with Wallitron.

From a 12 year olds point of view, it's a trophy! Who cares if you win, you get a trophy, if you have been going with "play all players fairly" then stick with it. If they don't want to play then they wouldn't be there. It's only a game, as Wallitron said, things like courtime and being the fat crap kid are what cause people to quit, people not having faith in you to play well is what causes this but it's u/12's and they are having fun and that's all that really matters.

if you are unsure about a player then fair enough but youtold people that you would play fairly and jut put them in the mix like Trappist Monk said and just let him run and be involved.

Nothing kills you more liek winning a grand final and knowing you didn't contribute on the court to make it happen, the trophy/medal just doesn't look as nice on your wall......

[Coachpete]

Don't change what you've been doing all season. Win or lose you'll have your integrity and your kids will have fun.

[Franklin]

Thanks guys.

I guess I was always going to go with my original gameplan. It got us to the finals.

It's just that the coach of the other team is a mouthy (insert rude word) and her star player (who never sits) has a sooky attitude! :twisted:

But, I'm bigger than that 8)

cheers

[revolution]

How did you go Franklin?

[Franklin]

The game's this week. I'll let you know then.

If I'm not too distraught :lol:

[Mr Book]

I would ask the parents or the players what they want to do. Do they want to make sure its the experience or the win that they are going for. If they were being paid to play then yeah go with the best players but its meant to be fun and i think its fair to ask them what they want to do.

[Franklin]

OK. On the scoreboard, we were a close 2nd :cry:

But my integrity is intact :)

And in the 3rd quarter, the kids asked me if I could keep my gun player on more. They were unaminous. :) So, I acceded to their wish. But, soon after he hurt himslef AND had an iffy foul called against him :(

But he went back on :)

But got fouled out in the last 1/4 :(

But they still got trophies :lol:

And, even though there was a bit of fiestiness during the game, and the intial despair when the siren went off, they were happy.

I got a bottle of wine from the other parents for coaching the kids 8)

As we were walking off, I saw a parents of a kid from the other team (you know, the team that won). They were remonstrating with that coach about how little court time their kid got. My wife thinks she heard the coach say something like, "but we won ..." (but, despite the quote marks, don't quote me!) But from what I saw when I saw the kid at the end of the game, it didn't mean much to him.

So, at the end of it all, we won.

[Poida]

Well done mate :D

[revolution]

...

[Ups]

Good coaching I think Franklin and good luck with your next game! :P

[Franklin]

Yeh, a 3 week break then a whole new team!

(But same attitude!)

[Lethal Vertical]

I coached an under 12 team this past season, made the finals. During the season I gave everyone equal time, but in finals I played whoever was playing well on the day.

Lethal