Hartley Miller's Slap Shots - Dec. 8th Edition

By Hartley Miller

The High School Volleyball season has just ended which means High School Basketball is just starting. Perhaps the tough decision facing coaches (in any sport) is which kids to keep and release. Throughout the years, I have been one of these coaches who have faced these difficult roster choices.

To be honest, top players, or potential starters are easy to pick. It’s also not hard spotting the lower skilled players that are not ready to make the team. However, it’s the borderline kids, those on "the bubble" that cause agonizing moments. For instance, let’s say a coach wants a dozen players on his/her team and 24 try out. In this group, the coach may identify 10 that clearly belong and 10 that don’t. This leaves four players of roughly equal ability for two positions.

So, this begs the question; how does a coach select the final two players? One might suggest that the coach take all 14 players, and let the four "bubble players" know they may see limited court time. However, if you can send kids to a lower league it makes more sense to keep two and send the other two onto a team where they will get more playing time.

There are a lot of intangibles making final selections. Some players don’t handle the bench as well as others while some will develop faster at a lower level, with more playing time. Experience, attitude and maturity are also important factors. Sometimes it just comes down to a "gut" feel.

In some situations, telling a prospect they aren’t quite ready is difficult on the players, the parents and the coach. It also may be difficult on their circle of friends. For example, "Alice", "Carol", "Wilma" and "Betty" are best friends. And, say three make it, but Betty doesn’t. This can be very hard on the social scene.

Once cut, I as a coach, look closely at how a kid responds. Some unfortunately may quit the sport while others will become more determined to improve their skills to the point where it doesn’t happen again. It’s this fight and strong will that will help that athlete develop.

On a final note, telling a player that he/she hasn’t made the cut can be very stressful. So, what is the best way to tell a teenager that they failed to make the grade? Many coaches "cop out" by posting the team on the wall the next day. I have never subscribed to this theory. I still remember trying out for teams and finding out the news on a piece of paper that I wasn’t good enough. I thought I deserved better, especially if I had questions for the coach about why I was let go. If the coach wasn’t around at that difficult moment to provide an answer to my questions I was left with a feeling of confusion and bitterness.

I think coaches should release players in a face to face meeting, either individually or as a group. Then, the coach should let the players get a hold of their emotions and be available to answer questions. The coach may have to put up with disappointed faces and even kids and parents that may disagree with the decision, but this is a diplomatic and respectful manner in how to handle the situation. In other words, Honesty is always the best policy.

From the quote rack:

"There’s only one person who knows how he missed that, and that’s Wayne Rooney, and even he doesn’t know." Sky Sports TV’s George Graham, with his best Yogi Berra impression, after Manchester United star Wayne Rooney missed a glorious scoring chance in a recent soccer game.

"Michael Vick plays in the NFL---that’s the No Finger League" Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California, on the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, who was fined 10-grand for making an obscene gesture to the crowd following a recent game against New Orleans.

"I’m not saying the 49ers are sore losers, but Gore is demanding a recount of Bush’s yards." Jim Greene, in the Seattle Times, after New Orleans running back Reggie Bush scored four touchdowns to upstage 49ers counterpart Frank Gore in the Saints 34-10 triumph over San Francisco.

"Former All-Star pitcher Dwight Gooden, 41, was released from prison in Gainesville, Fla., after serving a probation-violation sentence. Or, as they say in baseball, he’s left The Yard." Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times

"Initial reaction? High fives all around."Bill Lankhof of the Toronto Sun, on Commissioner David Stern saying Nevada’s referendum to legalize marijuana won’t keep the 2007 NBA All-Star Game out of Las Vegas.

And in case you missed it:

"China has announced plans to use mice to test the safety of food before it’s served to athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. And if the idea bombs, well . . . anybody want some Mice-A-Roni?" Dan Daly of the Washington Times

And how was your week?

Send along a quote, note or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com

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