From the Sister's Point of View: What makes a good coach?

WARNING: THIS POST IS FOR VENTING PURPOSES ONLY! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

ALLIE & ALEX: I AM ALWAYS YOUR NUMBER 1 FAN!!!

I was very relieved that Alex had a really good basketball game tonight and I did not have to go ballistic on his basketball coach. I try not to be an extremely over protective big sister, but I absolutely HATE seeing my "little" buddy upset. Trust me~ I went to the game expecting myself to get mad and say a few things I probably shouldn't... luckily, I was able to remain calm and lived to blog about it!



I have been a little stressed the last few weeks as I try to figure out Alex's freshman basketball coach's strategies... or lack there of. Alex, the last three years, has been a starter for the Hawks. He does not bring a lot of attention to himself but works very hard and plays his heart out when he is on the court. The last few weeks, however, the coach has given up on his team and plays random people as he sees fit. Last week, Alex didn't start but went in to the game quickly and played a majority of the entire game. Good. We are very proud of him. We don't think any less of him when he does not start. I appreciate the coach giving other kids an opportunity to start. We love him no matter what!



On Monday the freshmen had two games at Central A&M. Again, Alex did not start ~ no big deal! ~ but practically played less than a minute in BOTH games. Weird?! Alex was not happy! Can you blame him? My mom even jokingly ask him during the game if he was ineligible (HAHA). For my readers who don't know my brother~He is a straight A student. And by straight A student, I mean his lowest semester grade was a 97% in PE... definitely inherited his study skills on his own! Back to basketball~ A good coach would explain to his good kids (AKA ALEX) why he is not playing. He will also explain mechanics that need worked on instead of just benching his players. A good coach will never let a player sit on the bench questioning if he has done something wrong or if he is just down right worthless.

Then tonight, Alex starts and plays two whole quarters. ?! Is there a rhyme or reason for the basketball madness... NO! Alex~ please don't hold your breath for next week's game. You are #1 regardless!



On top of trying to figure out Alex's playing time, the coach is DEGRADING. He is so mean to those 15 year old boys and it make me sick to my stomach. All he does is YELL! YELL! YELL! I think I probably take it a little too personally. I try to keep my professional and my personal lives separate but as a teacher~ I spend my day making people better. I get a kid a band aide when he has a scratch. I discipline the class bully for taking magnets out of a girl's locker. I help with homework when someone just really doesn't understand how to change a mixed number to an improper fraction. I give hugs when there is a tummy ache but no temperature so she can't go home. So why do I take freshman basketball personally? Because I don't have a magical bottle of pick-me-ups to cure their self-esteems. If the coach wants respect, he's gotta give it. If he wants to coach the boys, he has to have practice. AND... If he wants to win the games, he has to eliminate the "f word" from his vocabulary!



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On a more positive note: The district spelling bee was today (4th-8th grades) and one of my very own got 2nd place!!! Good luck Hayden in the county bee! Woo Hoo!



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Goober~ I too am interested in hearing more about your change in status :)