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Author Topic: what am I getting myself into.........  (Read 1465 times)

Buzzhead

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what am I getting myself into.........
« on: January 11, 2009, 12:41:48 PM »
I was asked if the position came available in the next year to possibly be a coach for a new high school bowling team. We are currentally trying to get the district to make this a PIAA, recognized sport. (7 of 12 disrticts in Pa do recognize bowling as a sport.)


What is involved with this? what am I getting myself into.... LOL.
I absolutely LOVE the sport...I do what I can for whoever needs it. I am very competitive.

like I said what am I getting into here....
any advice from coaches out there??

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FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?????? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
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FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?????? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
Member of the FOS, if there happens to be a 9 pin standing just toss a saw and cut it down~~!

 

WSUstroker

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2009, 08:55:02 PM »
I'd say dealing with the parents is more of a pain than the kids will be.  Everyone wants their precious snowflake to bowl more.
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urbanshaft

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2009, 09:43:10 PM »
we dont even have a coach for our countys all star team

actsbowler21

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2009, 11:49:39 PM »
When I coached a high school team about 4 years ago, I was thrown into the fire with a varsity girls team that was used to everyone getting equal "playing time". This was a pain in the butt because I definitely had a team that was capable of being a district championship team. The previous coach was the girl's basketball coach and had no idea how to up a team.
The key is to get with any others on your coaching staff and possibly team captains for the upcoming season and set up a plan. This includes practice schedules, individual practices, and any financial planning you think you need. If you get everything organized and understood during the off season, then you shouldn't run into many problems.

When it comes to parents, just make sure they know that the team's decisions are those of yours and the players, not the parents. Parents at this point become spectators to the sport, nothing more, nothing less. And if that means they don't want their child involved, then they need to consider the damage they are doing to the child because of their actions. When you put the truth in front of most parents, they tend to come around real quick.

Most importantly, BE PATIENT! These aren't PBA stars or Team USA. They are going to make mistakes, be immature, and sometimes lose their cool.. you're their guiding light. Don't be like some coaches and get frustrated.. Keep all feelings aside and don't play favorites.
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Justin Buford
Orlando, FL

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actsbowler21

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2009, 11:50:36 PM »
To add onto what Daveozio said:
They are indeed student athletes. They will have times where other events will take precedence.

I myself was in that situation where I was on the bowling team, in orchestra, and marching band. With football season being at the same time as bowling season, I had to balance bowling practice/matches and rehearsals..At times this was not easy because of matches and practice being right after school got out and marching practice was around 5pm.

Some kids are going to have to make special arrangements and not travel with the team to matches because of situations like that..And every now and then you'll have to deal with the loss of a player due to other activities.

Also, if you can, be an extension of the teachers at the school you are representing. Make sure your students are getting their work and studies done.. especially if they need to maintain a minimum GPA to participate.
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Justin Buford
Orlando, FL

2009 Storm Bowling Staff Member
Rich Gibson's Pro Shop at Boardwalk Bowl Orlando, FL

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bjoz11

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2009, 11:51:53 PM »
Well, if you want to be anything like my old high school coach...you could do nothing but drink coffee and smoke cigarettes.  I don't even think he has thrown a bowling ball since 'Nam.
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nextbowler

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2009, 11:40:20 AM »
You are not getting into much coaching wise, everyone has their own coach.
You will be a chaperone, one who has responsibility when something goes
wrong.

abrown

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2009, 04:15:19 PM »
don't coach high school girls they don't listen for s@%t

abrown

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2009, 04:18:34 PM »
no really i ran into with trying to get them to do to many things at once and it took me a while to relize they don't understand alot of the bowling lingo so after i started back at the start they started to really catch on and while i would much rather have kids that actually know the fundamentals it kinda helped me get back into using them myself so my advise hope for a team that has some experience and ban cell phones and boy or girlfriends from practice so that they may pay attention

ckel1392

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2009, 05:30:45 PM »
Which District might you coach in? I bowl for District 7(WPIAL), my coach just sits there, helps a little with some problems people have, and makes lineups for varsity and JV. Im sure if you know your stuff and are competive you'd be one of the better coachs.

Buzzhead

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2009, 07:44:55 PM »
I have lived thru teaching my ex wife to bowl (when she was actually my wife)
I can't remember how many times I was told to shove it up my A!!. !!! LOL.

I have no coaching creds as of yet, I am also unclear as to the talent level of the kids I will be coaching if I decide to do this.

There will be specific rules that will need to be followed. If this is going to work for me, I need the alley to be flexable and not ask the kids to practice on the HOUSE shot. Access to the pro shop for drilling would be great and will be part of my requirements of the house if I step up. (the guy thats there now I would not let drill a hole in a board to pour water thru.)
--------------------
FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?????? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
Member of the FOS, if there happens to be a 9 pin standing just toss a saw and cut it down~~!
FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?????? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
Member of the FOS, if there happens to be a 9 pin standing just toss a saw and cut it down~~!

strikecing

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2009, 07:54:51 PM »
coached my high school team two years after my senior year.  Just try to make it fun and teach them how to win.
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Smash49

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #12 on: January 12, 2009, 08:55:26 PM »
The parents and the kids are not the problem in high school bowling.  Most of the time it is the center.  I have coached high school bowling for years and that is where it happens most.  I never have parent issues.  The programs I ran in Texas had nearly 120 students involved from 3 or more high schools.  We produced district and state champions and my girls were usually as tough or tougher than the boys.  Girls will listen and most of the time better.  The program is what you make it.  The best resource for making a program easier is to get a book by Ron Hatfield.  He ran a program I think in Ohio called Westerville South.  Helps with eliminating a lot of mistakes.  

Little advice....   Be able to back up everything you say and tell them with fact.  I tell my high school students that I will be able to demonstrate, show in writing or pictures everything.  If you try to BS them they will know immediately.

Smash49

PS....  Many bowling centers, I will leave nameless have issues with high school bowling due to cost.  In fact they dislike their youth leagues. Seems it damages their average dollar per line average.  Makes center managers look bad because the number is lowered.  Thus they are resistent to high school bowling.  I know one center manager that counts frames down to the exact frame for his high school program. 30 frames a week per person no more period.

I will tell you the center I own backs youth and high school bowling big time.  We just started an advanced youth bowling league called BIG CATS with nothing else like it in this part of the country!
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Smash49

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Edited on 1/12/2009 10:04 PM
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JohnP

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Re: what am I getting myself into.........
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2009, 09:53:00 AM »
quote:
I will tell you the center I own backs youth and high school bowling big time. We just started an advanced youth bowling league called BIG CATS with nothing else like it in this part of the country!


The youth programs are the future of bowling, and the center managers should realize it.  And I'm glad to say our manager does.  But you're right, they don't result in short term profits for the center.  --  JohnP