A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

[Topper]

If he had dressed as a traditional blackface minstrel singer, or as a slave in chains, I could understand that people got upset. But this is just ludicrous. How bland do your halloween customes have to be?

What if he was an Al Jolson fan?

[LotusBlossom]

Anyone here coach their kid's sports team? Or are one of those parents that go and watch all your kid's games?

Anyway, I coach my daughter's high school volleyball team. Today was the last regular season game before playoffs.

A parent from the visiting school comes up to me and asked if I was the coach, I replied, "yes". He asked what our record was, and I said we're 6-0 and he said, "Undefeated huh? Well, not after today you'll be." I said, "That's why we play the games." I'm not sure if he got that or not, but he walked away laughing. Funny considering this exact team won the City championships last year, with my daughter captaining them.

The school we were facing was in second place but could win first if they beat us tonight because of the head to head match.

Let's just say the other team had some skill and were good at digging the hits from my players, but I find too many of the coaches at the juvenile/junior age level seem to try to do too much with their teams and give them offenses they aren't ready to run or have them set a certain way they aren't ready to set, especially in girls' volleyball.

My team is undefeated for a reason. I teach and drill them on fundamentals of the game and work their defense to the bone. I also know not to over-coach and yap at them while they are playing a match. I find it ludicrous to see coaches pace up and down the court and eye'ing every play and barking out commands. It just messes up the kids if you do it too often.

We were already up 2-0 in a best of 5, so I decided to put my bench in for the 3rd set and the other coach had his starters. They won that set but it was close. Since the playoffs were coming up, I knew I wasn't going to be able to depend on my bench as I have during the regular season. We could have easily won that in straight sets, but I feel the bench has played well so far and deserved a game. This school has a tradition of winning at volleyball. So in the 4th set, I put my starters back on, with some bench subs and we won the set soundly.

I looked up to the bleachers and smiled at the 'gentleman' that was so confident we were going to lose. Later on, a few girls from my team told me that was the same guy that said he couldn't believe they were in the finals of last year's championship tournament because they were told, "You guys suck!". What a fucking douche bag talking down to kids like that. Glad my girls made him eat crow last year and today.


Go Gladstone!

[Rumsfeld]

I am unfortunately not allowed within 50 yards of a children's park.

But if I was I'd take Skyo sledding in the winter.

[Per]

Anyone here coach their kid's sports team? Or are one of those parents that go and watch all your kid's games?

I've been an assistant coach in soccer for three or four years, but quit two years ago. Still follow the games though. We were four people coaching, which was useful when you want to split the kids into smaller groups and if some one had a busy week at work we'd still be three people there. One of the others was a high school teacher, one studied psychology and one had tended goal in the women's second division, so I let the pros be in charge and just helped out as best I could.

My team is undefeated for a reason. I teach and drill them on fundamentals of the game and work their defense to the bone. I also know not to over-coach and yap at them while they are playing a match.

Yeah, yelling at the kids during the game only confuses them and makes them insecure. The occassional hint though, like pointing out that an opponent is left unguarded may be necessary at times.

[ODB]

[Vpete]

I coach two kids teams, both hockey. I do soccer in spring.

Hockey is just whacked- completely and totally no matter what happens. It's absolutely amazing kids actually pursue the sport to a pro level. D-bag coaches and parents are everywhere, sometimes the only way to come out on top is to out D-bag them.

[LotusBlossom]

I coach two kids teams, both hockey. I do soccer in spring.

Hockey is just whacked- completely and totally no matter what happens. It's absolutely amazing kids actually pursue the sport to a pro level. D-bag coaches and parents are everywhere, sometimes the only way to come out on top is to out D-bag them.

I noticed that too, VPete. Hockey is a strange sport in terms of the parents and the coaches always just getting it to way too much. My cousin played hockey until Junior and he said he is considering not putting his future children in the sport. The amount of parents and coaches thinking certain players are going to be the next big thing has emotions going really high. It's nothing like some of the sports on the high school and even community level.

ODB- I know it must be boring reading this, but when your boy grows a little older and you get more into sports with him (or not) you'll understand what I am talking about.

Per- We faced 7 different teams and there was only one other coach that didn't pace up and down, question calls and watch the lines like a hawk besides me. I was thinking in my head, I am competitive but not to the point where I'm embarrassing my team with my outbursts. I sit and point out small things. I believe to work them hard at practice and let them apply the knowledge they were taught in game situations. If they can't do it, it reflects I'm not a good enough coach.

[Aaronp18]

I noticed that too, VPete. Hockey is a strange sport in terms of the parents and the coaches always just getting it to way too much.

It's not really a surprise that hockey is the sport that is like this in Canada. Much like baseball and football in the states, it's our national pastime.

Every Tom, Dick, Harry and Susan thinks they know the game inside and out because they watch their favorite team on TV every game. And they dream of their kid making the pro's and know exactly what it will take to get there.

Even minor hockey coaches think team success at development's expense will lead to greater things - like coaching a junior B team or something!

They are the ones that ruin it for kids and it's why you see such a drop in participation after the age of 15/16. They are just tired of playing with all the pressure - it's no longer fun.

[CFP!]

I drove past the Swedish Touch last wknd while in Vancity to watch the Leos.

Surprised this actually exists. haha

Then I thought about ODB and his wifey in Hedonism. WTF?

[Rumsfeld]

Huge fight night tonight. Pacquiao/Marquez 3 and the network debut on Fox for the UFC.

Gonna get rowdy.

[RoyalDude]

Huge fight night tonight. Pacquiao/Marquez 3 and the network debut on Fox for the UFC.

Gonna get rowdy.

Marquez is a worthy opponent, the guy never says die, a real warrior, and I look forward to the 3rd installment but Pacquiao will come out on top as usual. I'm hoping for Marquez to upset the goliath but Pacquiao is just too good, should go down as one of the best boxers of all time, if not thee.

I just want to see Pacquiao knock Mayweather out 45 seconds into the fight if they ever have one. I can understand Mayweathers stalling, I wouldn't want to fight Pacquiao either. He knows he don't stand a chance.

[Rumsfeld]

Huge fight night tonight. Pacquiao/Marquez 3 and the network debut on Fox for the UFC.

Gonna get rowdy.

Marquez is a worthy opponent, the guy never says die, a real warrior, and I look forward to the 3rd installment but Pacquiao will come out on top as usual. I'm hoping for Marquez to upset the goliath but Pacquiao is just too good, should go down as one of the best boxers of all time, if not thee.

Marquez should have gotten the nod in their second fight. Since then Pac has incorporated a savage right hand, footwork and much more sophisticated defense into his repertoire. Now he will be way too much, especially at this higher weight.

Marquez is blood and guts to the end, though. He won't run and hide like Mosley and a lot of other guys have from Pacman. This will be a barnburner while it lasts. Look for the end to come before the seventh, with Marquez suffering his first KO in 60 pro fights.

And Gayweather will never fight Pacquiao.

[Rumsfeld]

And a belated salute to all the brave Canadian soldiers who gave their lives and their limbs and their souls to free Europe from tyranny in the two Great Wars.

They really don't make'em like they used to.

[SKYO]

I am unfortunately not allowed within 50 yards of a children's park.

But if I was I'd take Skyo sledding in the winter.

creepy!

Anyone have any online streaming for the Pacquaio vs. Marquez fight?

[Rumsfeld]

LOL, c'mon you fucking beatnik.

Got two friends? It's under 20 bucks each plus a remote. Don't be a thief.

I am having an excellent time.