Parents Chime in.....

[REX331]

Lance is playing his first organized sport. He isnt doing good, but he has fun when he gets a chance to get to the ball. Last week we played a team that gave our kids a chance to play and had good sportsmanship. They only scored 2 goals, but they had fun.

Now the team we are playing this week is likes to run up the score and tuant the kids once the score is high enough by running circles around the kids and not even trying to score. Remember this is a U6 league all kids are suppose to be under 6. Unfortunately we got a team of nothing but 4 year olds and first year players and Lance(3). The other team is nothing but 6 year olds and the coach wont take it easy on the other teams. We debated not even playing the game becuase the kids will just quit if they cant touch the ball becuase its not fun to them. We as parents have decided to try and play the game, but if the BS starts just walking out.

Are we over reacting or?? I feel the kids should be learning to play at this level and not this kind of stuff. I am asked my sister to come and watch the game because she is on the soccer committy and I believe the kids are just following what the coach is teaching them. Trust me I am not a sore parent because my kid cant play soccer, I just want him to go out and have fun, but when crap like this happens it pisses me off.

Rex

[Timebomb]

Sounds like you need to have a bit of a discussion with the other coach and let him know that winning is one thing but running up the score and the taunting shouldn't be allowed. I wouldn't let it go to far and get out of control or everyone will regret it.

[HoustonLX]

What the other coach and team is doing is wrong. Even the parents of the other kids should say something. At a minimum stop their own kids. That's poor sportsmanship. None the less, there is no reason to not play them. Sure it's a fun league. but IMO, kids need to be taught life is not always fair. Tell your son that with lots of practice, he could learn to be better then those kids. Plus, you could use what that team does as a chance to show your boy what not to do. You could call it one of lifes lessons.

[REX331]

Yeah we understand that, I think thats why we decided to try and play but if it gets too out of hand like it did with our coaches daughters team, which is on the same level as ours, we're gonna walk. Who knows we may be over reacting, but a few parents know the some of the parents on the other team and it seems to be true.

Rex

[red95gts]

Unfortunately, you'll run into parents that take a simple sport at the age of 4-6 and treat it like it's a super bowl. It's usually the same people that think the world revolves around professional sports. At this age, just getting all the kids on the same team to kick the ball in the same general direction is challenge enough. LOL! It's about getting the kids out there, getting some exercise, and being part of their first "team". The actual sport doesn't really matter, IMHO

I would play the game and if they start playing like that, say something to the coach. If it doesn't change, walk off the field. I assume this is some sort of organized league? If enough of the parents have a problem with it, make a complaint.

Or, beat him with a lead pipe - Nancy Kerrigan style. :)

[REX331]

Unfortunately, you'll run into parents that take a simple sport at the age of 4-6 and treat it like it's a super bowl. It's usually the same people that think the world revolves around professional sports. At this age, just getting all the kids on the same team to kick the ball in the same general direction is challenge enough. LOL! It's about getting the kids out there, getting some exercise, and being part of their first "team". The actual sport doesn't really matter, IMHO

I would play the game and if they start playing like that, say something to the coach. If it doesn't change, walk off the field. I assume this is some sort of organized league? If enough of the parents have a problem with it, make a complaint.

Or, beat him with a lead pipe - Nancy Kerrigan style. :)

I agree with everything your saying. Well except for the lead pipe it just not my style :hmm: . I try not to push Lance to play, but dont want him out there and not helping his team by walking around and not listening to his coach. I am trying to teach him to have respect for adults, no matter who they are, which seems to be a lost art to some parents IMO. :ashamed:

Rex

[red95gts]

I am trying to teach him to have respect for adults, no matter who they are, which seems to be a lost art to some parents IMO. :ashamed:

Rex

Unfortunately, it seems that way. Hell, half the parents at my kids' school are a god damnned disgrace to good parents everywhere. 3rd and 4th graders that can't even behave in public, talk back to adults, etc. My kids know better - there's a wooden spoon hanging from a hook in the kitchen next to the pantry. And it's there for a reason....

:)

[maveRick]

My two pennies:

I'd play the game in its entirety.

If things get out of hand, take the ass-whooping. The act of pulling up of panties and leaving the game when things got tough would send the wrong message to the kids (IMHO).

During the after-game chat, tell the kids that they are going to come up against all kinds of obstacles in their lives and to not let them stand in the way of their objectives (to play the game in it's entirety - in this case).

[gc90notch]

if they do that tell the kids to kick the other teams kids in the shins. :) :p

[89LX306]

I agree completely with Rick. Life is not always fair or even fun. I've swallowed my pride at many times in my life. It helps the kids learn a lesson.

If the game turns out to be a total butt whooping, don't worry about it. Even if the score is 200-0 it is only 1 loss. There is always next game. Besides at the age those kids are at all you have to do is say "Ice Cream!" and those kids have already forgotten about the game. Might be a good game to plan a team lunch afterwards.

[White90GT]

This summer we had Riley and Regan playing soccer with the YMCA league. They are 3 y/o and most of their team was 3-5. It didn't cost much to put them in it, so we didn't make too much of a fuss when Riley would hardly even go onto the field most of the game LOL. He and his cousin would both goof off on the sidelines, but Regan (our girl) was out there chasing the ball the entire game!
We played some teams that were very good and wooped up on us, but never did they taunt like that. That is just unsportsmanlike and the coach and parents should not allow it.

[Wild Stallion]

I'd talk to the opposing coach before the game, explain that those two video cameras on the sidelines are filming his team, and if he allows his team to play in an unsportsman like manner, copies will be sent to the league, and the local news station..... or just don't tell him and send them...
That coach has no right to be a coach, his rights to being a parent should be pulled also. Young team sports are there for kids to learn the basics of the game, and to let them learn a love for the sport.

[Chad82GT]

Lots of good advice here. Start with talking to the coach and see where it goes from there. If he's a dick... knock him out :)

[REX331]

Believe it or not it does effect the kids if they dont get the ball and get blown out even at 3-4. We had a team that was not as good as this team and they were just dominating the kids. No taunting or anything, but they just shut down, gave up and didnt want to play. It should still be fun at this age imo no need for life lessons at age 3.

Trust me I have played competitive sports my whole life from T-ball to varsity football in highschool. I have been on both ends of the spectrum. I guess its something different when your a parent. BTW no need for video taping as his aunt is gonna be there and she is on the Soccer commity.

[REX331]

Looks like something was said before the game. They played good and didnt run up the score and there wasnt any taunting. I am proud of our kids because they got in there and fought for the ball this game more than usual. Usually when the other team got the ball they would just let them have it but they mixed it up with em pretty good. They only scored 1 goal, but they tried and had fun. :thumb:

Rex

[maveRick]

Looks like something was said before the game. They played good and didnt run up the score and there wasnt any taunting. I am proud of our kids because they got in there and fought for the ball this game more than usual. Usually when the other team got the ball they would just let them have it but they mixed it up with em pretty good. They only scored 1 goal, but they tried and had fun. :thumb:

Rex'Good to hear!