[ayso45-coaches] ball ownership protocol

[Christopher Migdal]

I understand why some coaches like to use the system outlined by Brendt, but I would like to offer a dissenting view.

I prefer to have the balls in one place during the season.  That way I know that they are at the practices and at the games for warmup. If not everybody shows up for a practice I have extra balls for some drills.

As for a player having a ball to kick around if they "own" it, the problem with being in AYSO for any time at all is not a lack of soccer balls at home, but way too many :)

As for responsibility, kids (and their parents) today have an incredible amount of things they are responsible for and need to worry or stress about. I am happy to keep the soccer balls in order for them to have one less thing to worry about.

Thanks,

Chris Migdal

--- On Wed, 11/11/09, Welch, Brent <welch at panasas.com> wrote:

> From: Welch, Brent <welch at panasas.com>
> Subject: [ayso45-coaches] ball ownership protocol
> To: ayso45-coaches at ayso45.org
> Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 5:23 PM
> Now that we're at the end of the
> season and the flurry of lost ball
> emails is starting to grow, I want to make another plug
> for
> "player ball ownership".  This is something I learned
> a couple
> years ago when I was a U8B coach.  The idea is
> simple.  
> 
> Before the first day of practice when you blow up all your
> balls,
> you label each ball with "Team 8" or whatever.
> 
> On the first day of practice you bring a bunch of permanent
> markers
> with different colors.  As you give each player their
> ball, you
> instruct them to put their name on it, and decorate it
> however
> they want.
> 
> Then, at the parent meeting that is probably also at that
> first
> practice, you explain that each player is responsible for
> their
> own ball.  They take it home that very first day.
> They need to bring it back to every practice and to every
> game.
> 
> They can do it.  They really can.  Of course,
> sometimes they forget,
> and I do always bring a couple of extra balls.  But,
> letting the
> player control their own ball means (a) they have some
> chance
> they might actually kick it around between practice, and
> (b) they
> are given some responsibility.  Even a 7 year old can
> handle it,
> and it is good for them to learn how.
> 
> Finally, it unburdens you, the coach, from freaking out at
> the
> end of games and practices when you can't find every
> ball.  The
> dread of having to steal a ball from your own son or
> daughter
> at the end of the season so you can give the rest of the
> team
> their balls is gone.  It isn't your problem.
> 
> I mentioned this early in the season, but I think it is 
> easier to appreciate now.  For next season!
> 
> --
> Brent Welch
> Coach "Ice Torpedoes" U10B-8
> 
> 
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