Some things people don't notice or don't think of about the coaching profession.
- That young man you cut is probably in your class. He is going to have a very hard time tomorrow dealing with it. As a teacher I will also have a hard time since I've built a rapport with that student in the classroom.
- There isn't a good way to do it. We posted a list tonight and had the players wait then come in and check the list. We were just inside the room where the list was posted. These young men were told that if they wanted to talk, just knock on the door. Naturally, many did want to talk and so, we went over our evaluation of their abilities. That's always hard because they are going to cry. I'm in this for kids. I never want to make kids cry.
- For the rest of their lives, they are going to hate you. I was cut twice. I'm speaking from experience.
- Cutting kids isn't an exact science. You never know if you are doing a service or disservice to a borderline kid if you keep them. If they practice for 4 months and don't play then perhaps it was better off for them to be cut.
- You are always going to have Seniors that have been passed up in skills by a younger player. Now, what do you do?
- What are your responsibilities to the kids that make the team? If you keep additional kids that aren't going to play then do you lessen the repetitions that the kids playing are getting?
Well I could go on and on. Certainly I feel bad and as badly as I feel, I don't even scratch the surface of what those kids are feeling. Well, just wanted to post some thoughts from a coach's perspective.