Missing practice

Coach -

Establish tone in off-season. I'm in Texas where we have an athletic period built into the school day...if a player misses an athletic period, regardless of the reason, he is assigned "activities" for the entire period with others that may need it...this group we call the "improvement group"...includes kids late to class; discipline problems in classroom; etc. We assign these kids without mentioning the reason why (they know) and we emphasize the importance of dealing with things when it appears unfair...(no whining allowed). During the season, if you work for a larger program, consider not allowing a player to play that week's game if he misses a practice during the week...regardless of the reason. Makes it simple with no gray areas. If a kid is too sick to be at practice on Tuesday, he likely won't be full speed by Friday anyway. If he is to attend a funeral on Wednesday, he should be with his family anyway. If a kid is not feeling well, but is not real serious, he will show up for practice and at least view what is going on versus deciding to skip the day because he knows he will still play on Friday. If it's a small program, this can be a bit tougher on you but can still be done. pdow

I failed to answer the other three questions you posed. What about if a student/athlete misses practice in the off-season? Ok, I'll answer this one.

If a student/athlete misses a weightlifting session, you call him, and let him know that he missed a weightlifting session. You have to keep on them. Let everyone involved with the program know that missing weightlifting is UNACCEPTABLE, and that you know who is there and who is not. Even if the student/athlete is sick, call them and find out what is wrong. You'd be amazed at how one phone call will get the student/athlete to class when he doesn't feel like it.

I have not yet been exposed to spring practice out here in Pennsylvania, but my friend coaches out in Nevada and they make spring practice a requirement. If you do not attend, you do not come out for the team. The only exception, of course, is if you excuse them because they are playing another sport.

As far as summer conditioning goes, the best policy I have seen is the 90% policy. Either you attend 90% of the sessions (give the student/athletes one week for a family vacation or football camp) or you will get a different color jersey than your teammates when camp starts. This makes you a scout team player for the entire year, and you send the message to the student/athletes to either get here or get lost! If a student/athlete does not attend 90% of the conditioning sessions, he becomes a scout team player for the entire season. You will have to set the tone the first season you do this, but if you stick with this, your program will benefit in the long run. I hope this helps.

Lou

Yeah, up the scout team ladder! The student/athlete is either going to commit himself or be a scout teamer all year long. The tone must be set year number one... get to summer conditioning or be a Rudy Ruettiger for the season.

Lou

Coach, if you can move up freshmen to the varsity, do it! It will be worth it in the long run to keep the numbers at a respectable level and give your first teamers a look at practice.

Lou