Ok, what do you guys think?

[ChiefaRoo]

I'm Asst. Coaching on my 8 year old kids 3 on 3 b-ball team. We've got six kids total and play four, 4 minute quarters. Rules say we sub entire groups.

We haven't done very well up to this point (1-3) but today we got the game into OT tied 20-20 at the end of regulation.

My kid is the fourth best player on the team normally but today he led all scores with 8 points and 6 rebounds. In OT I suggested to coach we put in the three players who had played the best games. He decided to play the regular rotation which bugs me a little bit truth be told

So we go through OT and we're tied again. We had several chances to win.

Now we shoot free throws. One shooter each team. Whoever misses first loses.

We do put our best player out there but he showed up late and didn't get any warm ups prior to the game and had an off game up to that point while the 2nd best kid on the team was popping J's all over the place in warm ups and had his regular solid game.

So we miss, their kid makes it and now we're 1-4.

The kids held up pretty well but I feel like we blew the game on bad coaching decisions.

They're only kids but losing sucks.

That is all.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by ChiefJustice

Why does a team of 6 eight year old kids need an "assistant" coach?

Who else is going to do the film breakdowns?

[RJ]

When you start a thread to question coaching decisions made during a basketball game played by 8 year olds, it is probably a sign you are taking it too seriously.

Many of us have done the same.

[Chiefaholic]

I used to coach my kids team from grade 2-6. We practiced twice per week 1 1/2 hours per practice. We'de spend 30 minutes every practice doing nothing but fundamentals. You can make passing drills fun at that age my making a game out of it such as "Monkey in the Middle". Don't hesitate to jump in the middle yourself and let the kids beat the coach. It's all about fun and if they have a smile on their face, you've succeeded in coching your kids team.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by ChiefJustice

Why does a team of 6 eight year old kids need an "assistant" coach?

Someone has to babysit.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by ChiefJustice

Why does a team of 6 eight year old kids need an "assistant" coach?

Mostly for practice. It's hard to herd six kids in a gym with six basketballs. You need at least two so you can put in plays.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Chiefaholic

I used to coach my kids team from grade 2-6. We practiced twice per week 1 1/2 hours per practice. We'de spend 30 minutes every practice doing nothing but fundamentals. You can make passing drills fun at that age my making a game out of it such as "Monkey in the Middle". Don't hesitate to jump in the middle yourself and let the kids beat the coach. It's all about fun and if they have a smile on their face, you've succeeded in coching your kids team.

We keep the practice fun.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by RJ

When you start a thread to question coaching decisions made during a basketball game played by 8 year olds, it is probably a sign you are taking it too seriously.

Many of us have done the same.

I know. I'm learning that about myself.

[ChiefaRoo]

Well, I'm gonna take the kid outside and make him shoot the ball 1000 times before he can eat. Talk to you guys later.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

I know what you mean. I'm not showing it outwardly because I want to set a good example for the kid but it's bugging me, that's why I came to the board to vent.

Just remember that these kids have a long way to go. Not too many 8-year-olds are drafted at that age. Same as when he gets to be 13, 16, 18, etc.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

When we're talking about kids who are this young, wins and losses are completely irrelevant.

The absolute last thing I'd worry about would be in-game decisions. As long as the kids are learning something and, most importantly, having fun, who gives a ****.

Seconded

[Bowser]

And really, I'm suprised they keep score and have standings at that young of an age.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Just remember that these kids have a long way to go. Not too many 8-year-olds are drafted at that age. Same as when he gets to be 13, 16, 18, etc.

It's all good. I feel better talking about it here. Thanks for the therapy.

[ChiefaRoo]

Originally Posted by Bowser

And really, I'm suprised they keep score and have standings at that young of an age.

Really? I don't see why they wouldn't. Kids want to know how they're doing. I think keeping score is a good idea.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by ChiefaRoo

Really? I don't see why they wouldn't. Kids want to know how they're doing. I think keeping score is a good idea.

Eh, just speaking from experience. My daughter started playing volleyball pretty young, and they never kept score the first couple of years (even though she did in her head).

[patteeu]

I think it's good to keep score. I think one of the goals of the league ought to be to distribute the talent in a way that makes it likely that everyone will taste victory. As a corollary, I think the league ought to frown on or prohibit coaches from keeping their best players on the floor just to win at that age (unless it's clearly a competitive program instead of a recreational or developmental league).

One of my kids played for a coach that I thought did a good job of balancing playing time with pursuing victories. During the regular season, he made sure that every girl got roughly equal playing time regardless of the outcome of the game. This gave all the girls a chance to learn from game experience and have some fun. Then when the end-of-season tournament came around (everyone made the tournament) he increased the playing time of the better girls and cut back on the playing time of the others but he still made sure everyone got into the game for a while. This was understood from the beginning of the year so no one felt cheated when they got less playing time in the tournament.