Friday Thread: Your Kid Didn't Make the Team. Now What?
Happy Friday, and thanks to all our new subscribers over the past week.
I’ve been reading a lot of emotional posts lately about kids being cut from their football teams. Or making the volleyball “B” team when they expected to make “A.” So let’s chat about our own experiences with this sad side of youth sports.
How devastated was your kid? How did you help handle your kid’s disappointment? Any magic words? Did it make your kid want to work harder, or conversely, want to quit? Did the rejection lead them down a different path where they found their true passion?
Consider this a safe space to commiserate and connect. The mic is all yours! 🗣
I'll begin. My kid didn't make a top soccer team a couple of years ago, at least not at the position he wanted. At first he was pretty shocked, as were we. But it wound up being a valuable lesson in how certain coaches are looking for certain qualities and to not take things personally. **life lesson alert**.
It fueled him to perform on the team he made...and somehow made him love the sport even more.
Thanks for the space here
My kid, after 3 years on the A soccer team, was cut and had to play on the B team. The coach was my friend. He handled it perfectly, calling me directly to discuss this issue. He kept things open ended telling me my child could still be on the A team, but he felt the experience and playing time he would get on the B team would be a better fit. Though disappointed, I agreed. My son loved his year on the B team where he was the star player. He rejoined the A team the next year, a stronger player and continued playing soccer through HS.
My friend later told me a similar conversation he had with another parent that did not go as well. She was angry and defensive and held a grudge afterwards. My friend was stunned, especially since this other player was weaker than my son. We both always appreciated how this potentially awkward situation was handled
I ended up later as president of our neighborhood youth sports club. I frequently have told this story to the parents of our travel teams. Do not take getting cut or moved down as an insult, use it as an opportunity.