Comments for Ask Coach Wolff

Comment on A question of propriety? Should HS coaches be allowed to run travel programs for their players? by Dee Beaudoin

Dee Beaudoin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:30:17 +0000

My son was cut from his high school’s basketball team his Junior year, after being a starter on the JV team his freshman and sophomore years because he did not play in his coach’s summer basketball program (he was playing on 3 different baseball teams during that summer) and had a small part-time job. He was actually given this reason for being cut: “You did not show enough incentive to me because you did not play summer basketball.” This should not be allowed in high school sports . . period! End of story. . No discussion necessary – it’s an absolute no brainer!

Comment on How Parents’ Visions of Colleges and The Pros Can Hurt Youth Leaguers by Doug Abrams

Doug Abrams — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:34:20 +0000

These are good thoughts, and thank you very much.

Comment on How Parents’ Visions of Colleges and The Pros Can Hurt Youth Leaguers by Caitlin

Caitlin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:02:18 +0000

It’s easy to get caught up in wanting your child to succeed but ultimately youth sports should always be fun. I was able to try out many different sports before deciding which was best for me to concentrate on, and I will encourage my children to do the same.

Comment on It’s Official! US Soccer Academy Development is Now Forcing HS Soccer players to choose betwen their varsity team and club team by steve@aol.com

steve@aol.com — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:50:27 +0000

Heard your show and need to correct something. The Academy programs will have a full 10 game schedule in the fall, training 3-4 times a week with a game each weekend. Coach Allen said there would be no games. Not true

Comment on It’s Official! US Soccer Academy Development is Now Forcing HS Soccer players to choose betwen their varsity team and club team by Kirk Mango

Kirk Mango — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:17:46 +0000

Yep, I agree. Will be entertaining this same issue at ChicagoNow on the blog “The Athlete’s Sports Experience” Wednesday morning.

Coach Wolf, this statement “The difference, though, is that if the kids make their own decision to walk away from their HS squad, well, that’s their choice. With USSA, they are being told they HAVE to walk away. That’s a big — and significant – difference” is perfect.

I don’t get how some cannot see this difference, IT IS HUGE!!!

In fact, based on your post, you and I could have a very interesting conversation about this topic, likely, along with many others.

Coach Wolf, I think you will enjoy my post. Hope you can stop by next Wednesday.

Comment on The Lesson of Jeremy Lin: A Personal Reflection by bill baylis

bill baylis — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:26:52 +0000

I really enjoy your shows on the topic of so called “bench warmers”. When you use the term for an 8,9,10 or 11 year old player… if we take the time to think about it for kids so young… it really takes on a different meaning… or it should anyway…

My kids play hockey… I did some coaching… and have seen it all… (I hope)… Hockey is a fast and complicated sport… throw in the fact that kids are still learning how skate I am amazed what kids can do. And sadly I can see how many kids lose interest in the sport by age 13 or so… mostly because the the bench warmer mentality.

If there is ever a sport that has a Jeremy Lin in it… It has to be hockey but only if we give players the time to grow (mentally and physically)

Hopefully the Lin sensation will help us all reevaluate how we develop our youth players!!

Comment on The Lesson of Jeremy Lin: A Personal Reflection by The Real Youth Sports Lessons of Jeremy Lin – Forbes | The News Piper

The Real Youth Sports Lessons of Jeremy Lin – Forbes | The News Piper — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:45:26 +0000

[...] shorthand version of Lin’s life lesson is that, hey, you benchwarmers, your time will come. Someday, the right coaches will notice you, and you can create your own Linsanity. I suspect, [...]

Comment on The Lesson of Jeremy Lin: A Personal Reflection by The Real Youth Sports Lessons of Jeremy Lin - Forbes

The Real Youth Sports Lessons of Jeremy Lin - Forbes — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:16:24 +0000

[...] shorthand version of Lin’s life lesson is that, hey, you benchwarmers, your time will come. Someday, the right coaches will notice you, and you can create your own Linsanity. I suspect, [...]

Comment on Why Force Talented HS Soccer Players to Choose Between their School team and Travel Program? by Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:38:46 +0000

Most people forget the reality of youth sports…No scholarship…No pro. I am not trying to be mean spirited or condescending, I am just being realistic. Again, it is the adults that are more interested in their perspective than the athletes. The amount of money changing hands at the youth level is disconcerting to say the least, which is what all of this ultimately comes down to. I wonder how many travel coaches spend time teaching a moral code, community pride and responsibility or most importantly; focus on education. When playing for a school team you are a student first. I am sure the travel coach is not benching his players for not performing in the classroom. I am not naive enough to believe school coaches always do the right thing, but most are held accountable by an administrator or school board. It is a shame that the words “training” and “showcase” have taken the place of “playing” and “games”. Talk about innocence lost…

Comment on What Baseball Bat Should You Use in 2011 in Little League, High School or College? by floyd

floyd — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:05:35 +0000

Is the 2010 demarini cf4 -3 32/29 2 5/8 barrel bat legal for junior little league for the upcomming 2012 season?