cutting players

[maldini]

hi everyone,
so here is my Question,how do you cut Players from your Team,
and specially what to say to a father that He thinks His son is the star on the Team???
thanks Maldini

[74offsuit]

The only reason I would cut a player, and I haven't so far in four years is, if that player was not interested in improving, or had some kind of anti-social behaviour.

In all other instances, I'm looking for ways to improve the player.

[Val]

Haven't had to do so yet, but then I get a different team every year, so I don't have that continuity with the same kids/players.

I think you have to lay the groundwork for such a decision over time, just as if you were at work. You might tell the parent that you're concerned about his kid's play/effort/attitude (whatever it is that is making you think he should be cut). If you haven't already, give the parent and then the player time to rectify this situation. Give feedback. Write down what you've said and when, and what the player and parent's response has been.

What's brought about this situation, anyway?

[Cookie]

It's difficult, especially for the majority of youth football clubs like mine where you try to run two mini-football teams and have anything from 18-22 players across your squad and then you have to move to one 11-a-side team when they reach U11. (We have no choice but to scale down to one team because of availability of pitches).

A lot of clubs also throw their doors open to lots of young 5 and 6 year olds knowing that some will drop out over the first few years. But when natural wastage doesn't happen, you're left with too many players and then have to make difficult decisions.

I've previously told parents that their son just isn't cut out for football (especially if they show NO interest whatsoever and it appears to be the father living his footballing dream through his obviously uninterested son!) and that they should take him to do something that he WILL enjoy - plenty of choice if it is still sport (Golf, fishing, tennis, karate etc.)

[ian.curry]

Its never easy, but it does get easier. At a really young age(8/9) I have had to come up with a lot of positive comments for some players, but ensure they understand my decision is final and why I have come to it - eg you won't be starting many games, sometimes I might not get a chance to put you on, I think the standard this team is a bit high for you etc.
Val is spot on with laying groundwork, let it be known that he isn't doing enough for you or the team and here is his chance to ensure he doesn't get dropped.

At an older age (13/14) I have held open training sessions(PC for trials) and given everyone a date that I will pick the new squad. In June no one is signed to anyone, so effectively you drop the whole squad and then pick the players you want from the open sessions. If a player isn't picked who played for you last time out, well he deserves a bit of special attention and reasoning, but still he is treated like others that you do not pick.

[mothy]

Hi guys,
just a quick line to introduce myself as a new under 7 coach.Having played football since adolescence, and subsequently followed my 12 year old lads path into trials with, blackburn oldham and rochdale. i have decided to pass on what limited expertise i have to the younger generation. i am due to take my level 1 badge in july, and although i seem to talk a good game , i am a little apprehensive as to whether i can put my ideas into practisce.
Throughout my footballing life,i have always been labeled as the nearly man, a trait, which fortunately hasnt been bestowed on my son so far.Since taking over as assistant to our qualified coach, i have thoroughly enjoyed the experience, so much so that he reccommended me for my badge and to be honest there is a burning ambition to do well and steer the lads through a path other than the one i eventually chose.This is not to say i lack in the technical side of things, or other departments for that matter. I envy you guys for the jobs you do at all levels, i just hope that my progression has a coach picks up speed faster than the the lil`uns i am trying to inspire for there sakes.
Any advice on the `rookie` subject would be gratefully appreciated,and i thank you for your time in reading this post.
gl in all you do guys

mothy

[mcolwell]

Level one is very straight forward and you should come through i comfortably. If you cannot possibly get two teams going and not cut anyone i would suggest you do the following in cutting players:

a) come up ith a process for doing so, i.e. skill, attendance, bahaviuor;
b) let all concerned know what the process is and why you need to cut;
c) explain your decision to parents and say it is difficult but you have no option. Youdo not want to disaffect your chosen players by having too many in a squad and having to give them all a run out.