Advice: note from coach

[kev85]

I am looking for advice on what to do.

I got this on Facebook from the coach. Should I stay with this club? The team start as a rec team but is been taken seriously. The newer players are not given there fair share of games.

The Senior team that play games has to be selected, it’s not because people register that they can just jump on the ice and play in the games.

There are different requirements to be selected for the senior team and play game;
Most important are;
• Age
• Minimum skill level
• Commitment


Player will not be selected for games if they don’t meet those minimum requirements.

In your particular case, as I mentioned last year you need to improve your skill level to be able to play games. Last year we opened the training session to senior player yet I barely recall seeing only one or maybe twice in the all season. If you want to improve you will need to do training on a regular basis.

This year training session are open to senior players as of September every week and for the all year. If you register, go to training every week all season and improve on your skill we can review your selection next year.

For the current year your skill level is not sufficient to be select for the senior Team.

Click to read more...

 

[mitchmagic]

If you want a rec league find a team that wants you.

 

[Elias Pettersson]

agreed, if it's just rec, why bother staying for a team that doesnt like you back?
Why bother putting in effort for a girl who won't text back?

 

[Crosbyfan]

So...
1) There is a junior team you can play for with this club?
2) You have other options that are better for you right now?
3) Where does each lead, given the effort you might want to put forward? Which option do you feel will be more rewarding on your terms?

 

[kev85]

If you want a rec league find a team that wants you.

There is only one league which is meant to be rec hockey. Most teams are nearly made of foreign players that live here.

agreed, if it's just rec, why bother staying for a team that doesnt like you back?
Why bother putting in effort for a girl who won't text back?

I am an original senior player as this team is only going for 3 years. This coach has come along changed everything. I only got 3 games last season.

So...
1) There is a junior team you can play for with this club?
2) You have other options that are better for you right now?
3) Where does each lead, given the effort you might want to put forward? Which option do you feel will be more rewarding on your terms?

No Junior team.
I don't really have much better options. I could join a different club but to be honest, the club I am with also has kids teams that I like to help out with.

I really not sure what is best. I like the people in the club but not much love for the coach. There is something about him I just don't like

 

[shoeshine boy]

I'm assuming this is somewhere in Europe? this sounds similar to what a couple of friends who lived in Italy went through.

 

[kev85]

it is in Europe. I prefer not to say where just in case someone I know is on here

 

[Elias Pettersson]

it is in Europe. I prefer not to say where just in case someone I know is on here

Hi it's me, your brother

 

[bucks_oil]

The coach has given you very specific feedback.

He specifically mentions your skill level and that there were training sessions available to you that you did not attend. Is this true? Was there a legit reason why you didn't attend?

Have you considered that perhaps the coach is actually doing you a favor in terms of offering training that would improve your skills. If this is not of interest to you, then yes... you need to find a team where you can actually play "rec".

If you have no other options than your only option is to apply yourself and see if you can improve your skills and make the team.

As I read it, I don't think what is being asked of you is unfair (well... the part about waiting until next season is a bit harsh... I would get to training, and when you know you have started to impress him with your effort and progress, ask the question again... can I get into more games to test my improvement)

 

[Beville]

Sounds like the UK with my experiences

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think there are two sides to this, and you need to decide where you stand in relation to the game of hockey.

On one hand, if you pay for registration you should expect to play in the games. Having a coach tell you that you have to sit out is unacceptable in a rec league.

On the other hand, based on the coach's comments about your not attending training sessions, it sounds like you are being outworked by other players. You can't honestly expect that your teammates are going to accept your showing up and taking their ice time, if you are both less skilled than they are AND skipping the training sessions that they attend to improve themselves.

Basically, if you want to play at that competitive level then you need to work for it. And by that I mean work harder than your teammates, because they are already ahead of you and the coach is skeptical of your commitment. If you aren't prepared to do that, you need to look for a non-competitive team somewhere.

 

[kev85]

The coach has given you very specific feedback.

He specifically mentions your skill level and that there were training sessions available to you that you did not attend. Is this true? Was there a legit reason why you didn't attend?

Have you considered that perhaps the coach is actually doing you a favor in terms of offering training that would improve your skills. If this is not of interest to you, then yes... you need to find a team where you can actually play "rec".

If you have no other options than your only option is to apply yourself and see if you can improve your skills and make the team.

As I read it, I don't think what is being asked of you is unfair (well... the part about waiting until next season is a bit harsh... I would get to training, and when you know you have started to impress him with your effort and progress, ask the question again... can I get into more games to test my improvement)

I have to travel 2 and half hours to where training does be on. As it is training on inline skates and not on ice it is a long way to travel. Senior training well thought with the kids.

Sounds like the UK with my experiences

Sorry not the uk.

I think there are two sides to this, and you need to decide where you stand in relation to the game of hockey.

On one hand, if you pay for registration you should expect to play in the games. Having a coach tell you that you have to sit out is unacceptable in a rec league.

On the other hand, based on the coach's comments about your not attending training sessions, it sounds like you are being outworked by other players. You can't honestly expect that your teammates are going to accept your showing up and taking their ice time, if you are both less skilled than they are AND skipping the training sessions that they attend to improve themselves.

Basically, if you want to play at that competitive level then you need to work for it. And by that I mean work harder than your teammates, because they are already ahead of you and the coach is skeptical of your commitment. If you aren't prepared to do that, you need to look for a non-competitive team somewhere.

The senior team does not training at all. The only adults that train are new new players. We don't have an ice rink where my team comes from only 3 months a year.
I was away for most of the training they had last year for those wanting to up there skills. I told the coach I was only available for games on saturdays, DUE to having to travel 4 hours to the rink we play and not getting home till 4 am as games are late at night. I would say nearly all teams are playing competitive, it wasn't like this when I started playing. Only 4 teams that time till more teams were added last season, where players are more advanced than me but I was able to hold myself during the games

I am very commited to the team just not the coach. I would prefer the vice president of the club to coach me as I can get on with him.

 

[kev85]

Anyone is welcome to pm me

 

[Beezeral]

It's the coaches way or the highway. It sucks that a rec league is taken so seriously, but that seems to be the norm in your area. Seems like you got 3 options. Stick around and try to improve to the point you get more games, change clubs, or make the tough decision to hang up the skates.

 

[Fremitus Borealis]

There's times when I wish my team had a "full-time" coach, but this seems to be an extreme version of where that could lead. This is one of the things that can be rough about rec hockey, with not everyone on the team being on the same page as far as what they want out of it; some guys just want to show up and play, others want to treat it like they're in the NHL as far as training and stuff.

Anywho, you do indeed have a tough decision to make. I'll echo what others have said, and recommend you either look for another club (not sure how hard that may be in your area), or do what you can to "train up" like the coach suggests. I guess you could also try and talk to your teammates about all this (since the coach isn't an "original member"), but I get the impression from your post that winning is more important to a majority of them.

 

[kev85]

It's the coaches way or the highway. It sucks that a rec league is taken so seriously, but that seems to be the norm in your area. Seems like you got 3 options. Stick around and try to improve to the point you get more games, change clubs, or make the tough decision to hang up the skates.

I can't see myself hanging the skates yet. When I started 3 years ago and entered the Learn to Play program, within 2 weeks I was asked asked if I would play as my skill was better than those that started with me. I don't think I will ever be good enough for said coach. We have an ex-college coach on the team that is great at helping me and others.

There's times when I wish my team had a "full-time" coach, but this seems to be an extreme version of where that could lead. This is one of the things that can be rough about rec hockey, with not everyone on the team being on the same page as far as what they want out of it; some guys just want to show up and play, others want to treat it like they're in the NHL as far as training and stuff.

Anywho, you do indeed have a tough decision to make. I'll echo what others have said, and recommend you either look for another club (not sure how hard that may be in your area), or do what you can to "train up" like the coach suggests. I guess you could also try and talk to your teammates about all this (since the coach isn't an "original member"), but I get the impression from your post that winning is more important to a majority of them.

What would you do if it was you? The other club has told me the door is always open for me to join.

 

[leftwinger37]

Just go where you can play. If the coach is so concerned with your skill development, he should know that being exposed to in-game situations is what will be most helpful to you. Any additional training will help you fine tune the skills you need to be successful, but you need to be allowed to play first to assess your strengths and weaknesses and determine what skills need to be addressed.

It's clear that your coach interprets your availability constraints as a lack of commitment. Whether that is true or not, his perception will not change unless you make more of an effort to attend training sessions and do the extra things he expects. If he can't be more accommodating to you based on your proximity to the rink, then there is really nothing else you can do to get out of his "dog house." Quite frankly, I would never dream of investing my time, energy, and finances to drive four hours to fulfill my commitments to a rec team... and I there few things that I love more than playing the Game.

I'm certainly not trying to place blame on you, but you must understand that it would be easy to question your commitment level if you are unable to make a 100% commitment to show up for every game or scheduled activity. If I were your teammate and I showed up for everything, I would have a serious problem with a "part-timer" cutting into my ice time.

Sounds like this team just isn't a good fit and it's time to find something that works for you.

Good luck.

 

[BruinDust]

Sadly, it sounds like you live in a part of the world that if your not at a particular skill level, your options are very limited to play adult hockey.

Maybe it started as a rec league, but when you have coaches, training sessions, minimum skill requirements, cutting players/tryouts, etc. doesn't sound like any rec league I've ever been a part of. Doesn't sound recreational at all. Nor does it sound like much fun, having some guy behind the bench dictating how much you are going to play.

And it it isn't fun, and your not getting paid to play, what is the point?

 

[jazzykat]

I played in Austria and our "rec league" is taken quite seriously. For all the North Americans who are bewildered, you have to think of it like pseudo-competitive hockey.

Now for the OP, my advice is to assess what you want out of your hockey experience and if you are willing to accept some lumps/sacrifice to get there. I think the coach lays out the expectations and you didn't meet his. The obvious thing to do is to either:
1. improve and comply with the coach
2. find a different group/league that isn't so hardcore...since you seem to have a standing offer that might work better for you.

 

[shoeshine boy]

Sadly, it sounds like you live in a part of the world that if your not at a particular skill level, your options are very limited to play adult hockey.

Maybe it started as a rec league, but when you have coaches, training sessions, minimum skill requirements, cutting players/tryouts, etc. doesn't sound like any rec league I've ever been a part of. Doesn't sound recreational at all. Nor does it sound like much fun, having some guy behind the bench dictating how much you are going to play.

And it it isn't fun, and your not getting paid to play, what is the point?

my friends that lived in Milan for a few years told me that their "rec league" teams are playing for civic pride so they are taking fairly seriously. another thing that surprised me was that those teams were pretty much full-check.

 

[BruinDust]

my friends that lived in Milan for a few years told me that their "rec league" teams are playing for civic pride so they are taking fairly seriously. another thing that surprised me was that those teams were pretty much full-check.

Yeah, full-contact for anything in adult hockey below the Senior level is pretty rare I think. I've never come across it personally.

Even in the local Senior league in my part of the world, it's full-contact, but the players all have regular jobs to go to, families to take care of, the "contact' is fairly mild, almost non-existent some games. Just not worth it to go out and take a guys head off, especially with concussions nowadays.

 

[kev85]

Yeah, full-contact for anything in adult hockey below the Senior level is pretty rare I think. I've never come across it personally.

Even in the local Senior league in my part of the world, it's full-contact, but the players all have regular jobs to go to, families to take care of, the "contact' is fairly mild, almost non-existent some games. Just not worth it to go out and take a guys head off, especially with concussions nowadays.

it is a noncontact league. no contact hockey in my country/

I played in Austria and our "rec league" is taken quite seriously. For all the North Americans who are bewildered, you have to think of it like pseudo-competitive hockey.

Now for the OP, my advice is to assess what you want out of your hockey experience and if you are willing to accept some lumps/sacrifice to get there. I think the coach lays out the expectations and you didn't meet his. The obvious thing to do is to either:
1. improve and comply with the coach
2. find a different group/league that isn't so hardcore...since you seem to have a standing offer that might work better for you.

There is only one league in my country, so I no other choice but to be part of this league. I am not willing to be told I can't play

 

[BruinDust]

it is a noncontact league. no contact hockey in my country/


There is only one league in my country, so I no other choice but to be part of this league. I am not willing to be told I can't play

I feel for yah, with all the lazy people in this world, I think it stinks when you have adults who want to play sports, any sports, and there are things such as your mentioning that prevent them from participating in any way.

I've seen both sides. I've lived in places where no matter who you were or what your skill level (even adults just starting out) there were options for you to participate in hockey.

I've also lived in places where there was hockey, but once you got to the adult age, depending on who you know (and not so much your skill level) it could be tough to find a skate, even just weekly scrimmages. But it still seems like that place had more options than what your currently facing.

I hope it works out for you and you can find a place to play and have fun moving forward.

 

[puckpilot]

Gosh I can't imagine wanting to play and not being able to. Is there a way you can talk to the coach about your situation with the travel time? Maybe ask if he can give you stuff to work on by yourself near home, drills and stuff. And then send him video of yourself and have him give feedback on how to improve?

It will at least show him you are committed.

I mean having to travel hours and hours just to practice is tough if you have to work the next day.

 

[tarheelhockey]

^ That's a good compromise to offer the coach.