17 replies to this topic

[synwave7]

coach grabbed him in the chest by his jersey and moved him to the other side ot the huddle

The old "coach grabbed my son" issue rears it's ugly head once again. I've seen this thread at least once a year since I've been coaching youth football. I've always said that using a shoulder pad to guide a kid into position is one thing but doing what the coach did in your situation sounds like it's out of anger or a heated situation.

Kid didn't or doesn't do what you ask? Your reaction is to grab him by the front of his jersey and guide him into position or grab him by the face mask and guide him into postion? C'mon sounds like the guy has issues whether he'll admit it or even knows it. Just ain't right brother. I wasn't there so I really dont know but it's my opinion that grabbing a face mask or the front of a CHILDS jersey just ain't nice.

I don't care who you are or how you put it, I would say to any coach, that if your grabbing face masks and or the front of a CHILDS jersey you might want to rethink what it is your trying to accomplish.

I just don't think using aggression in any respect when dealing with children to get your point across...it just ain't neccesarry. Particularly grabbing the face mask let alone a fistful of the kids jersey and "moving or guiding" a kid into position. Were talking youth players here right? Hey listen, far be it for me to judge anyone especially a guy who gives his time to coach a bunch of youth players. In fact I applaud any individual who does so. But grabbing a kid in any manner for any reason especially when the moment is heated, no way brother just shouldn't be done. And if it was my kid being grabbed, well, let's just say I for one would not take to kindly to such an act.

I say treat people the way you want to be treated. No-one wants to have a fistfull of thier jersey or thier face mask latched onto and then have that person "guide" them into a certain spot on the field. I dont care how old or who you are.

Syn

[Soonerhawk]

That's why I count on our coaching staff to communicate if they feel anybody has been out of line in any way. That's why I do my best to keep an open line of communication with the parents.

Nothing is 100%. But, we can only do our best to make sure all communication lines are open.

[warpigs2380]

This is always a touchy subject. Contact from a coach to a player is seen from 3 points of view: the coach, the player and the parent. If either of the last 2 think the line was crossed, there is a serious problem. So even if you think you are being 'fair but firm', it doesnt mean squat if the player or the parent thinks you went too far.

But aside from that, I dont think you should ever have to get physical with a kid (especially really young ones). What positives can come from it? I cant find one. Plus, I think it makes you look like a hot-head, which is something I do not want to be viewed as.

I've found that simply being consistant with my rules and the consequences for breaking those rules is more than enough.