What a Trophy Means to a 10yr Old...

[M.D. Holloway]

Our Son started his football season with the coach calling him out and said in front of the whole teasm that he had to get in shape. Some kids would have cried, quite or just forgot about it. Not Max. On the way home that day he was mumbling to himself with a disgusted look on his face. Looking out the window of the car he finally thought out load "Azzho! I'll show you whose in shape!"

For the next few months he worked out every day - running wind sprints, doing push-ups and during practice making every hit and every block with the intensity of a ninja. The coaches oftened commented to me that he has the inner drive not seen in other 10 yr olds. He started as an offensive right guard and a defensive tackle - playing both ways each game.

He averaged 4 tackles a game and watching the game films was the reason why more than 75% of the touchdowns were scored due to the holes he would create often blocking two kids at the same time and not just one.

During the middle of the season the coach id'd him and three other boys as the leaders (captains if you will) of the team and made sure that they understood the gravity of that decision.

They went on to the championship (Superbowl) and won 31 to 7 over a team that on the average scored 30 points over the competition.
He played his heart out. He had 4 tackles and a QB sack that made the crowd go nuts (including me!). He opened up holes for the running backs to go through. At the team dinner he recieved offensive player of the year. Not bad for a linemen.

In this league only the champions and the runners up get trophies.
There will be a speacial place on the trophy shelf for this one!!!

Here he is in the stands watching the older kids play their championship all the while telling me how he would have done certain plays different if he was on the field right now.

Good times...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Awesome, they sure can make a father proud, can't they? Coach sounds pretty hardcore for 10 years old though.

[M.D. Holloway]

He is yet he also knows who he can talk to like that and what kid is 'sensitive'. We had a parent coach meeting before the season and he told the parents that some kids respond to tough words while others do not and that he need us to let him know if a kid was gonna wig out or buckle down. The kid who played center was an emotional basket case - the biggest kid on the team but also the most 'sensitive'. He was dealt with kid gloves.

Our son is pretty emotional tough when it comes to that sort of thing. He is the type that thinks "Oh ya! I'll show you!".

[Moses]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Coach sounds pretty hardcore for 10 years old though.

I go nuts when youth coaches focus on winning. Sounds like this coach was just trying to get the kid motivated. Not a bad thing, particularly since he responded.

The personality traits shown by Mike's kid are going to work well for a lifetime. He's focused, determined and disciplined. Fantastic. And after scolding the kid for being out of shape, the coach rewards his hard work and performance by making him a team captain and player of the year. Again, fantastic.

The boys achievements are only meaningful because he worked hard to get them. Great life lesson. I particularly like the idea of awarding trophies for real achievement, not just "participation".

I'm sure Mike is not only proud of his son's football success, but the character and hard work it took to get him there. Great kid, Mike. Doesn't happen without a great father.

[M.D. Holloway]

Thanks Mark. We are blessed to have two great kids - I thank the good Lord everyday for them.

[sammyg2]

Congrats. I and my three brothers played football from the age of 7 all the way through high school. It's a great learning tool for team building and discipline. I played center and defensive tackle even though I was the runt of the littler at 6'2"

Winning is important (to winners). That's why they keep score and hand out trophies but at the younger ages it has to be restrained.
But hard work, dedication, and improvement are the real rewards. Do something special for your son in recognition of his hard work, he's earned it. Hopefully you'll be posting more in the years to come about his successes.


My daughter came home yesterday with a varsity volleyball letter and a "most improved player" trophy. She's worked her tail off and earned it.
She's 16 and a junior and just started playing volleyball her freshman year.

Last week she tried out for a 17 and under club team and made it, but the coach of the 18 and under team convinced her to join that team instead.

She's already set a goal for herself to not only be the varsity team MVP next year, but also to make the all CIF southern section team.
That is a very lofty goal and not easily obtainable, but if she works really hard and stays injury-free she might have a shot at it.
Maybe she can even get a college scholarship and save her old man a few bucks

[Seahawk]

Well done to your Son, Mike. He learned, as others have pointed out, life lessons, not just football lessons.

I am by no means the Great Santini with my kids, but I insisted they play a varsity sport in HS, pick one. And they would get involved with an extracurricular activity, pick one.

Sports teaches much more than winning and losing.

Again, Mike, give the Junior Lubemaster my best for a job well done.

[M.D. Holloway]

Just got an e-mail from the coach...

Max "Roscoe"

Just wanted to drop you a line. I totally appreciate the passion and enthusiasm you brought each week. There is something to be said for that type of attitude. I hope you know that next year you will dominate in this league. Your desire to want to be coached and your ability to get to the ball is not really taught, it is a gift. I never heard you complain one time during the season. All you wanted to do is get better. I hope you feel you accomplished that? If I am lucky and fortunate, I will do my best to get you on my team next year. This is my highest expression of respect that I can share with you Max.

I was very fortunate to have you on my team. If you put your mind to it, you will accomplish many things in life. You don't find many elementary players with your type of abilities. It is sad that the season has ended, but the good thing is your hard work paid off. Congratulations on winning the Championship. If you ever need anything I am just a call away...

Thanks Max and you totally deserved the "Lineman Award"!!!

-Coach Tim

[GH85Carrera]

It is great to see a trophy that is earned.

So many kids are part of the "give everyone a trophy for participating" mode of coaching.

Congratulations to your son.

[rcecale]

Mike, Confucius said “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” and with what you've instilled in him, along with his own inner character, Max is further along his road of life than a lot of "adults" I know. Congratulations on a job well done to both of you (but mainly for Max, this time! )

Randy

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just got an e-mail from the coach...



Max "Roscoe"



Just wanted to drop you a line. I totally appreciate the passion and enthusiasm you brought each week. There is something to be said for that type of attitude. I hope you know that next year you will dominate in this league. Your desire to want to be coached and your ability to get to the ball is not really taught, it is a gift. I never heard you complain one time during the season. All you wanted to do is get better. I hope you feel you accomplished that? If I am lucky and fortunate, I will do my best to get you on my team next year. This is my highest expression of respect that I can share with you Max.



I was very fortunate to have you on my team. If you put your mind to it, you will accomplish many things in life. You don't find many elementary players with your type of abilities. It is sad that the season has ended, but the good thing is your hard work paid off. Congratulations on winning the Championship. If you ever need anything I am just a call away...



Thanks Max and you totally deserved the "Lineman Award"!!!



-Coach Tim

Wow, I retract my previous statement. Sounds like an excellent coach. Its not easy to balance winning and player development, few kids coaches do it well. As others said, he's learning a lot about both football and life.

[peppy]

Lube, pass on another congratulations to Max.

[9dreizig]

I"ve always said that football is about life.. Guys that never played it don't get it.. Sounds like Max has figured it out early. You should be proud of him!!!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Wow, I retract my previous statement. Sounds like an excellent coach. Its not easy to balance winning and player development, few kids coaches do it well. As others said, he's learning a lot about both football and life.

I would too, if he apologized for calling him out in front of the whole team. And copied all the other players on the email.

You don't call out a ten year old kid in front of the team. Maybe you tell him and his parents that if he gets in better shape he could be a great player.

[Oh Haha]

Give Max a pat on the back from me as well. With everything your family has going on he really put his mind to improving.

I never played any sport very good but I hope to be as supportive of my kid' ambitions as you are of yours, Mike.

Good job, Sir!!!!!

[competentone]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I would too, if he apologized for calling him out in front of the whole team. And copied all the other players on the email.

You don't call out a ten year old kid in front of the team. Maybe you tell him and his parents that if he gets in better shape he could be a great player.

I'd generally agree, but -- just like disciplining children -- coaching can require that you find what works for each individual child.

It sounds like this coach read this 10-year-old right; calling him out in front of his teammates ("peer pressure") seems to have worked.

I don't know if it was "planned" that way; and would agree that it could be damaging to a 10-year-old to be singled out that way, but again, in this case, it seems to have worked and it may have had an effect on the whole team -- with other members working harder so that they wouldn't risk being "called out" in the same way.

The coach may have singled him out because he thought "he could take it."

[9dreizig]

The coach did exactly what a good coach should do.. And Lube's son rose to the occassion..Kudo's to him!!

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

can he drive a stick yet? bet he will learn. sounds like a competitive driver to me.

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by competentone

I'd generally agree, but -- just like disciplining children -- coaching can require that you find what works for each individual child.

It sounds like this coach read this 10-year-old right; calling him out in front of his teammates ("peer pressure") seems to have worked.

I don't know if it was "planned" that way; and would agree that it could be damaging to a 10-year-old to be singled out that way, but again, in this case, it seems to have worked and it may have had an effect on the whole team -- with other members working harder so that they wouldn't risk being "called out" in the same way.

The coach may have singled him out because he thought "he could take it."

A good boss can do this as well!

sounds like your son will go far. Great attitude in him.

[M.D. Holloway]

Yup! He drives all sorts of manual tractors on the farm. When he was first learning two years ago he was on my lap and he proceeded to grind away at a 1960 Farmall. After several whiplashs he final got his timing down.

The Targa is his when he is 16 and he is determined to take DE's with the local region so he can race it. Not many 2.7's in our region so he may have a decent chance.