Passing to the untalented: Do you do it?

[octothorp]

One thing I've learned about rec sports is that a crappy player making an unexpectedly great play is worth all the frustration of seeing them make ten bad plays in a row. And nothing is better than playing with the same group for like five years, and see crappy players become decent players.

But if someone is really inexperienced, they usually welcome some advice on how they can be more effective. One girl on my basketball team was so frustrated with her shooting that she simply didn't want anyone to pass to her, so we were basically 4-on-5 when we were on offense. So we taught her how to set a screen. Now she at least has a role that she's comfortable with, even if she never scores... we're always quick to point out when one of her screens results in a basket or open shot.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I am the untalented.

And puck hogs drive me bonkers.

I am also cut from the same cloth. My teammates are pretty good about it though. If your open, your open. That's the way she goes. I also make up for my blunders with fine open ice hits and a willingness to do anything that needs to be.

[OutOfTheCube]

I make up for my lack of talent by going to the Patrick Kaleta/Steve Ott school of hockey playing. Work your ass off and bug the crap out of everyone. I'm not a very big guy so I have to pester instead of hit.

Though every now and then I do make an inspired offensive deke/pass and surprise the hell out of everyone. Very sporadically

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by Derek Sutton

Your rec team had a captain? did he where the "C" to? What a joke. "Adult Rec League" I beleive the title is pretty self explanitory. The most important things are 1) excercise, 2) beer, 3) getting away from the wife/ house for a bit. You can't just keep the "crappy" players around to collect their fees.

Most leagues require a "marked" captain for on-ice issues. Some of these captains take it far too seriously for rec league.

Our captain also collects fees, does the line-up etc.

[LGA]

If I'm just playing for fun I'll actually make it a point to try to get the lesser talented players a goal by constantly feeding them the puck.

I tend to like to shoot when I'm playing to win games, but I've never been a guy to not pass to someone because they may be less talented.

[MrMastodonFarm]

lol, you players and your politics.

/goalie

[Jake]

I think if the league has a number of untalented players, it probably isn't a highly competitive league anyway. I would keep passing to the bad players.

[WesternCanadaKing]

Put me in the category of people you wonder if you should pass to or not. All I have to say is when you go out of your way to exclude people like me, it only makes it more likely that I'll screw up on the odd time you do involve me. This is because I feel like there's now an expectation that I'll ruin the play which just makes me more nervous. Don't be an ***hole to untalented players, do what you can to coach, and help us feel like we can contribute. I know when I feel part of the team I'm more inclined to work my butt off and contribute in other areas (I'm an excellent pest in ball hockey).

[GirlySports]

Always pass. Everyone used to be a bad player.
Its hard enough getting people to play most of the time (especially girls in rec league) that excluding them will just make it more likely they won't bother to play next time.

All sports is a time commitment for one evening. Treat everyone equally!

[Jbo]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the big shot from the point or some of the offensive numbers I would like. I play D in a number of the Calgary leagues as well, and tend to focus much more on the defensive side of the game.

Even good players can mess up. When you get a pass on the tape and have a split second to get it on net, or ring it around the boards, it can be easy to botch a play. Having said that, how will you ever get better if you don't do it?

You know what bothers me more? The guy who tries to take on the entire play by himself, loses the ball/puck and then slams his stick like a prima donna. Okay, you mess up. Happens to all of us...but what matters to me is that you get your ass back into the play.

[killer_carlson]

Absolutely pass to the guys who aren't as good. No doubt. Next question.

[Brodie66]

In a fun/practice game, always pass. In a competitive/league game, it's a quick judgment call depending on each specific situation.

[TopChed]

The real question is, why put your worst player on D? Have him on the wing where he can't hurt you, and then you can pass to him without him being the last man.

[WhiteTiger]

If you are being paid to play, play the most intense game you can.

If you are paying to play, remember everyone is, and a team does better than any individual.

[Calgary Highlander]

I'm an awful hockey player, but it's always nice when I get passed to and at least have the opportunity to make the play.

I'm always sure to pass on the favour in a basketball game or a rugby match. Sometimes, players of lesser skill can really have their moments. And when they start having those moments, they gain a ton of confidence in their own abilities and become better at the sport. It all starts with little spurts of brilliance.

[jeffman]

As an untalented I pass to other untalenteds to make myself look more talented

[SebC]

Make the best play, but don't overdo passing to the weak players. You don't want them to get frustrated either.

[return to the red]

I'm surprised it hasn't been said yet


Must be how the Oilers forwards feel when they pass it back to the point

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by octothorp

One thing I've learned about rec sports is that a crappy player making an unexpectedly great play is worth all the frustration of seeing them make ten bad plays in a row. And nothing is better than playing with the same group for like five years, and see crappy players become decent players.

But if someone is really inexperienced, they usually welcome some advice on how they can be more effective. One girl on my basketball team was so frustrated with her shooting that she simply didn't want anyone to pass to her, so we were basically 4-on-5 when we were on offense. So we taught her how to set a screen. Now she at least has a role that she's comfortable with, even if she never scores... we're always quick to point out when one of her screens results in a basket or open shot.

This.

On my rec team last year, we had one guy who went the majority of the year without scoring. Fairly new player, probably the worst skater on the team by far.

When he finally put one in the net, our bench erupted like he scored a game 7 OT winner.

[Coach]

I use to either carry it myself or go glass and out every time when certain wingers were on the ice. Because otherwise there was just no way out of our zone. It's weird going from playing with people all around your skill level and then playing with a variety of skill levels.

Its true people don't get better if you don't include them. Thats what practice is for. In mid-game/mid-shift, you're not generally worried about the fairness of time with the puck.