Expert: Dennis Girardi - 10/4/2007

Question
Ok.. my son has played a team that is somewhat out of our neighborhood for the last 2 yrs and for this particular coach 1 yr. I really like him as well as his assistants and he has even asked me to to be one. The problem is the team is not very successful. Out of 12 players on the team, there are probably 3 players that I think "have it". This year the coach has done some recruiting and some new kids are trying out but I think he is still keeping some kids that would otherwise be cut, because their parents assist. There is another team which is located in the area where my son goes to school and about 4 kids from his class will be playing on this team. I have heard both good and bad about this coach, but my experience(we played against this team last year) with him seems to be fine.My sons wants to tryout for the team. I guess my question is what do I look for to help me make the decision about the other team and how do I approach the issue with his current team? Thanks

Answer
Hey Arty,

I've been there before...
You need to approach this like changing jobs, or moving to another neighborhood.
Sometimes you don't know what you have until you don't have it anymore.  Playing for a fair coach verses a coach that is unfair and shows favoritism, is a terrible thing to put your kid thru and go thru yourself..
You say you have heard good and bad about the coach.  You need to talk in more detail with these parents.  This is important..  Find out mostly about his fairness.
Also will he be a regular on one team verses a sub on the other.. Can your son live with this?  Can you live with this..  If after doing these things, you still feel good about moving on, then explain to your current team that your son would like to play with these 4 friends because they are in his class.  He should understand..
Please let me know what happens..
Dennis