Expert: Thom Brooks - 10/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Asking advice for my son. He is on a D3 team in RB position. He hasn't received any playing time at all even during the extra added JV games. He is the teams main look running back but because of this role he does not get any recognition nor any reps on offense. His speed is very good 4th overall of the whole team, strength is good (min 245 bench reps) but size isn't great 5'9" 155lbs. He is very discouraged about no playing time and is thinking about transferring. I've asked him to speak with coach about his role and not getting in at the JV level for at least a couple of runs to show what he has. They wanted him on the team  (mid august arrival)and was very excited when coach recruited him. Any advice for him to break this and get some looks?

ANSWER: Joe, hello!

Communicating with the coach will be the best avenue.  He doesn't want to waste his talents on the bench.  The coach would have a number of reasons.  Maybe he feels they're strong at the position and your son is being saved for later.  Maybe that coach does not like your son.  If there is not an attitude or chemistry problem, then does your son know the football schemes/playbook?  If he came in late, maybe the coach wants to give the other guys first crack since they were there first.  

You will not know the true reasons until your son communicates.  Sometimes, the coach is not aware that he is not playing someone.  My men's baseball just won our League Championship yesterday!  It's our 3 title in 4 years, so we've been consistent winners.  But, I am most fair in playing time.  I've always despised a coach playing his son mentality.  

Has the coach told your son that his 155 pounds might be a reason?
If he has talent, I wouldn't care if he was 115 pounds!  Look at Warrick Dunn, the great RB from FSU that played for Tampa, Atlanta and now back with the Buccaneers having a great season.  He's not a big man, but has the skill and the heart.

I watched one player last year.  He got a scholarship to the University of Florida.  The Gators withdrew it when he couldn't make the grades.  He is in a small school building that GPA and he will be playing for a Div II or perhaps Div I school next year.  Is your son's grades strong enough to remain on the team?

Finally, if the coach is not paying attention to him, your son needs to make himself a shining star!  He needs to show more enthusiasm, more Leadership and be able to demonstrate that he understands the rules of the game, and the team's plays.  If he does that, he will get the eye of the coach that wants to have a winner on the field.


It's Leadership.  Tell your son to show the coach that he is the best player on the field!!


Thom Brooks





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---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thom Thanks for your response.
My son arrived with the rest of the team in August so he wasn't a late arrival. He is very good with playbook knowledge, smart player. I was wondering if him being the look team RB this is hurting him some how because of the lack of participating in resp with the offensive squad. My nephew played for a D1-AA school and was the look team back, his efforts got him on the travel team a few times as a freshmen. I think this was my son's reasoning to show what he could do with the look team. He went over to look team to keep himself tuned since reps on the offense were few and far between.
I don't think it's a coach not liking my son scenario, according to him he is well liked even by the upper classmen ( has become a little brother to them) it seems.
The only thing I can hope for is that he talk to the coach. I'm afraid he won't talk with him, he seemed very hesitant when I said go talk with him.  

Answer
Joe, Being on the Shadow team is not a negative.  Your son can show the Coaches if he can emulate the others.  He still gets to show the flash of ability.  

I still think the issue would be communication.  I've seen so many young plaers that are afraid to step up and ask the Coach for a talk.
My oldest son was probably the top receiver on his high school team but had a dumb Coach that played a few players and didn't give the others a chance.  That probably motivated me into Coaching.  I despise the egotistical Coach that plays scared.  Everyone gets a chance. If you're not good enough, I tell you.  But, it is purely bad Leadership if a Coach allows a better race car to sit on the bench.

If the team is well stocked, your son may have to take his time getting into the games.  Some teams do not allow the player to start until his 3rd year..............

Your son can always transfer but then there is the one year sitting out time (unless he transfers down a division).  

Take care,

Thom Brooks