RANT: Calgary Minor Hockey

[macker]

Originally Posted by fotze

Here's a related question, do timbits actually play any games? The kids are bored out of their tree except when there is game like drills.

Not very many.....I would say in the New Year you might get 2-3 tournaments so maybe 9-12 games depending on the association. Novice bumps up to 30 to 40 games by comparison so it gets better quick. Also Timbits get most of the ridiculous ice times so it is a bit of cruel initiation for all It gets better but Timbits is all about the basics and it isn't easy to teach that age group the basics when they are turned loose for games...

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

2) it was not a rant about the Respect in Sport video. It was a rant about Hockey Calgary's culture.

Could have sworn you had mentioned a few times that the video was condescending.

Originally Posted by DementedReality

A culture
1. where a coach feels its ok to talk down to the parents on the team and tell them when they are allowed to talk to him. i felt like telling him my when I am "open" as well, or is just a one way street? Hey Coach, if you want to talk to me about my kids game, i wont talk to you if its more than 30 minutes before or after a game. seems silly, no?

Since when is the coach part of Hockey Calgary? The coach is a member of your Community Association, whether it is Shaw Meadows, Crowfoot, Trails West, PSA, etc. They are completely autonomous, with their own Association Presidents, policies, etc. Hockey Calgary has no say as to how each community operates. HC can make suggestions, but very rarely can they dictate something.

Besides.. how often do you need to talk to the coach if you're not:
(1) telling him/her your kid won't be at the game or practice
(2) telling him/her to change their coaching strategies
(3) complaining about something

Having been a former coach in the "Hockey Calgary" system, those were the main times when a parent talked to me....

Originally Posted by DementedReality

2. a culture where the Association Insiders act as if they are somehow big wigs in the rink. where the wealthy mom's stick there nose in the air at everyone else. and dont tell me im making it up, i had enough PM's about this experience from others.

Wealthy moms have nothing to do with Hockey Calgary.

Association Insiders are either volunteers, or they ARE big wigs. Sorry if you don't understand that.

Originally Posted by DementedReality

3. and finally, where I am already feeling like HC and Association culture is already elitist and condensending, i am forced to watch a video that not only tells me valid points about rink behaviour and respect for coaches, but also proceeds to teach me about childhood behavioural and biological development, like i am too dumb to know how to raise my kid away from the rink.

While you may be a stellar parent when it comes to biological development, you'd be surprised how many parents aren't. What do you mean that they can go the whole day, eating only chips and chocolate bars, and perform at their best?

You mention that there are valid points to the video. Take those and run with them. Even the person with the most expertise and knowledge in the world learns things.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fotze

Here's a related question, do timbits actually play any games? The kids are bored out of their tree except when there is game like drills.

Players handle the puck for an average of 9 seconds in games. Practices are infinitely better for development. Many fun drills can be introduced at practice to keep kids interested.

[firebug]

Originally Posted by fotze

Here's a related question, do timbits actually play any games? The kids are bored out of their tree except when there is game like drills.

First year timbits have a limit of around 6 actual games per year, second year TB's can have closer to 10 if I recall.

That being said, unofficial games will occur more frequently during practices etc.

This is the Timbit program overview done by the snobs at Hockey Calgary:
http://www.blackfoothockey.com/leagu...ts/Timbits.pdf

[firebug]

Originally Posted by troutman

Players handle the puck for an average of 9 seconds in games. Practices are infinitely better for development. Many fun drills can be introduced at practice to keep kids interested.

Agreed, especially in Timbits since the skills are so disparate and strategy and passing so weak.

In a game, especially early in the season, the best skater on the ice will control the puck 90% of the time. The other 4 teammates don't get to do anything.

It is great if your kid is the best, but otherwise frustrating for the kids.

[Locke]

Honestly. The 24 hour cooling period is a solid and very standard policy in many if not all sports. I dont know of any of my coaching associates who dont uphold this rule.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by valo403

I get your point, but you obviously wouldn't have heard of many parents who caused talent players to not reach their potential simply because they quit the game before they ever became known. I know of a few guys I grew up with who were really talented but quit the game at 15 or 16 as it wasn't fun anymore, a common thread seemed to be nut job parents. There's a difference between supporting an elite level athlete who is on the same page in terms of goals and screaming at your 12 year old for not finishing his checks.

The most talented player I ever saw walked away from the game forever when he was 17 or 18. His father used to beat him when his team would lose 5-4 (he probably had scored all 4 goals). There are some horrible parents out there.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by Locke

Honestly. The 24 hour cooling period is a solid and very standard policy in many if not all sports. I dont know of any of my coaching associates who dont uphold this rule.

Originally Posted by calculoso

Besides.. how often do you need to talk to the coach if you're not:
(1) telling him/her your kid won't be at the game or practice
(2) telling him/her to change their coaching strategies
(3) complaining about something

Having been a former coach in the "Hockey Calgary" system, those were the main times when a parent talked to me....

I get it, if you want to complain, take some time to cool off and if its still an issue after 24 hours, then bring it up.

However, that was NOT the message. The message was:

"I dont talk to Parents 24 hours before or after a game. If you call me, I will hang up, if you email me I will delete it."

Why would I want to talk to the coach? Same reason I might want to talk to anyone else on the planet, for whatever reason two people might need to interact. The tone and attitude was "i am the coach, you are a mere parent (who I, the Association and Hockey Calgary feel are a big problem in the youth hockey), follow my rules of engagement".

What kind of response would you have if a parent said "hey, i have a 30 minute rule, if you want to talk to me I am only available 30 minutes before or after a game/practise, otherwise i will hang up on you or delete your email."

I would be looked at like a self important a-hole, no? what makes this coach more important or special then anyone else that he feels its completely acceptable to make such an announcement?

Sorry, that turned me off big time.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

I get it, if you want to complain, take some time to cool off and if its still an issue after 24 hours, then bring it up.

However, that was NOT the message. The message was:

"I dont talk to Parents 24 hours before or after a game. If you call me, I will hang up, if you email me I will delete it."

Why would I want to talk to the coach? Same reason I might want to talk to anyone else on the planet, for whatever reason two people might need to interact. The tone and attitude was "i am the coach, you are a mere parent, follow my rules of engagement".

What kind of response would you have if a parent said "hey, i have a 30 minute rule, if you want to talk to me I am only available 30 minutes before or after a game/practise, otherwise i will hang up on you or delete your email."

I would be looked at like a self important a-hole, no? what makes this coach more important or special then anyone else that he feels its completely acceptable to make such an announcement?

Sorry, that turned me off big time.

The fact that he's volunteered to coach yours, and a bunch of other peoples, pain in the ass kids, as well as put up with bitching and moaning from parents?

A good solution to not having to deal with the coach next year would be to volunteer to be a coach yourself.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by valo403

The fact that he's volunteered to coach yours, and a bunch of other peoples, pain in the ass kids, as well as put up with bitching and moaning from parents?

every parent on the team volunteers. nope sorry, that doesnt give him any superior status.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

every parent on the team volunteers. nope sorry, that doesnt give him any superior status.

Really? Every parent spends the time that a coach does? Must make for a pretty crowded bench and ice at practices. Doing 2 bingos a year and spending 4-5 hours a week on the ice/bench are not at all comparable. If anyone thinks highly of themselves here it seems to be you.

[fredr123]

If I had a dollar for every hockey parent I've met with at my office to discuss issues with other hockey parents in the past year... I could probably buy a fancy coffee at Starbucks.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by valo403

Really? Every parent spends the time that a coach does? Must make for a pretty crowded bench and ice at practices. Doing 2 bingos a year and spending 4-5 hours a week on the ice/bench are not at all comparable. If anyone thinks highly of themselves here it seems to be you.

i didnt say that every parent does as much as the coach, just that being a volunteer doesnt make him more important than the parents. more specifically, doesnt give him the right to be an a-hole to the parents.

regardless ... it was a rant, eh?

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Locke

Honestly. The 24 hour cooling period is a solid and very standard policy in many if not all sports. I dont know of any of my coaching associates who dont uphold this rule.

It would be un-nerving to have any kind of discussion with a coach who is cleaning the blood from under his fingernails with a switchblde.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fredr123

If I had a dollar for every hockey parent I've met with at my office to discuss issues with other hockey parents in the past year... I could probably buy a fancy coffee at Starbucks.

Are hockey parents suing each other?

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by troutman

Are hockey parents suing each other?

Defamation actions, restraining orders, complaints to the local minor hockey association (and sometimes Hockey Alberta) about other parents and coaches, appeals of rink bans, judicial reviews...

It is friggin' ridiculous.

[simmer2]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

i didnt say that every parent does as much as the coach, just that being a volunteer doesnt make him more important than the parents. more specifically, doesnt give him the right to be an a-hole to the parents.

regardless ... it was a rant, eh?

I agree with his message, not the delivery. Seems like he's a little bit over the top. I was a coach for Bantam Div 1 and parents were by far the worst part of the coaching. I had a former ex-Calgary Flame absolutely ream into me for sitting his son...even though his son understood completely why he was being sat.

So ya, I think your rant is deserved somewhat...but the 24 hr rule is understandable. If he's approachable at other times then it's okay. If the guy's a tool, well then he's a tool.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by fredr123

Defamation actions, restraining orders, complaints to the local minor hockey association (and sometimes Hockey Alberta) about other parents and coaches, appeals of rink bans, judicial reviews...

It is friggin' ridiculous.

I'm astounded.

A seperate court should be established for this BS - the Hon. Justice Dave "Tiger" Williams presiding. "Plaintiffs - come with me into my private chambers".

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

I get it, if you want to complain, take some time to cool off and if its still an issue after 24 hours, then bring it up.

However, that was NOT the message. The message was:

"I dont talk to Parents 24 hours before or after a game. If you call me, I will hang up, if you email me I will delete it."

Why would I want to talk to the coach? Same reason I might want to talk to anyone else on the planet, for whatever reason two people might need to interact. The tone and attitude was "i am the coach, you are a mere parent (who I, the Association and Hockey Calgary feel are a big problem in the youth hockey), follow my rules of engagement".

What kind of response would you have if a parent said "hey, i have a 30 minute rule, if you want to talk to me I am only available 30 minutes before or after a game/practise, otherwise i will hang up on you or delete your email."

I would be looked at like a self important a-hole, no? what makes this coach more important or special then anyone else that he feels its completely acceptable to make such an announcement?

Sorry, that turned me off big time.

You have issues dude. Seriously. Get over yourself. You're way past a rant. You're stark raving.

It's not about you or whatever feels of inferiority you're carrying from High School. It's about creating a healthy and enjoyable atmosphere for your kid to play and learn hockey in.

Elitism! Elitism!

[calculoso]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

I get it, if you want to complain, take some time to cool off and if its still an issue after 24 hours, then bring it up.

However, that was NOT the message. The message was:

"I dont talk to Parents 24 hours before or after a game. If you call me, I will hang up, if you email me I will delete it."

Why would I want to talk to the coach? Same reason I might want to talk to anyone else on the planet, for whatever reason two people might need to interact. The tone and attitude was "i am the coach, you are a mere parent (who I, the Association and Hockey Calgary feel are a big problem in the youth hockey), follow my rules of engagement".

So... your coach is an idiot and it is Hockey Calgary's fault?