How do you handle that player...

[Unregistered]

Our coach catered to the primadonna because they were worried that the primadonna would leave. Well, she left anyway and we went from middle of the pack to top 2 and beat out her new team! Made all the parents smile.

[Unregistered]

Our coach catered to the primadonna because they were worried that the primadonna would leave. Well, she left anyway and we went from middle of the pack to top 2 and beat out her new team! Made all the parents smile.

You have to love it when it works out that way. Our Primadonna was catered to because of an older sibling who was exceptionally good. Our club wanted to keep both players. At the end of the day the Primadonna left the club to go to a popular team for the age group and took 3 of the better players with her. That was pretty much the end of the success of that particular team. Even so, it worked out in the end as it motivated us to find a higher level opportunity that we may not have been open to had the team maintained status quo.

[Unregistered]

There is a lot of truth to the parent(s) being the source of the player's problem/attitude. We had the same situation a year ago. It was so bad that we couldn't convince several very strong players to join our team because they didn't want to be on a team with "that player." Fortunately, this type of player has no loyalty to a club or team and will bolt at the first chance they get to go to a "better" club or team OR one that shows interest in them (as they are always seeking to be wanted by someone), in our case the problem solved itself when the player left and team chemistry improved greatly and our team had much better success. Now, a good coach should never let this type of a situation to arise and needs to address it before it becomes toxic to the entire team. It is not the other parents' role or place to do so, although depending on their age, the players can address it also. It is a repeating problem for many teams and most coaches are not proactive enough to address it directly.

Bet when all is done the girl will be on ECNL team and playing college. One good thing about ECNL it is place many of these players will go and stay.

[Unregistered]

Is the problem child coming to your team this year?

[Unregistered]

There are two distinct situations that should not be conflated.

1 Is selfish players and/or crappy parents acting like premadonas, that sucks and shouldn't be tolerated.

2. Is ignorant parents of average to below average players, jealous of and complaining about real players who dominate the ball, dribble and take players on. These parents think that everyone is always equal and should get participation trphies. That sucks and shouldn't be tolerated.