Tuesday, March 29, 2011

New Beginning

Something you'll need to understand about AAU teams that focus on winning titles: They are not interested in player development. They wish to maintain their starters and keep the bench players on the bench. They believe this is the only way to win. Unfortunately, the only ways these teams get any better is by picking up new superstars. Otherwise they only incrementally improve. There's no big leap in performance.

We were on such a team but before the season, we got approached by another developmental team that wanted my daughter to play for them. We like them a lot but my daughter got sold a bunch of lies by her current coach and the coach asked her to stay. Said my daughter would play a lot during the games. When the season started, it went back to the same as before.

Augh but this time we had an out. The other team still wanted her so we made the switch. I honestly thought no one on the old team would make much of a fuss. It sent shock waves through the entire club. We got accused of hurting the teams chances for a state championship.

We had a meeting and I asked why everyone was so upset. She didn't play but 15 minutes in first 8 games of the season. The explanation? "But she has so much potential and she's going to be great".

Ummm yea.... maybe you should have played her more. Score one for the players.