I have been involved with AZ Region Junior Volleyball many years and over that period of time, have witnessed a gradual and disturbing evolving trend. Each new season this trend seems to worsen and this year was no exception. Tryouts are no longer tryouts.
The Region has decided to allow “open gym dates” prior to tryouts as an opportunity for players to shop other clubs and make a more informed decision about which club they like best. In theory, I understand why the Region decided to allow the open gyms. These open gyms, however, seem to have turned into something unintended.
Players and parents attend open gyms in an effort to negotiate positions on teams prior to tryouts. They want assurances and promises, and sometimes leverage clubs against each other to get the best result. Coaches are on the phone, texting and calling until the wee hours of the night trying to secure players prior to tryouts. Coaches sometimes talk poorly about other Clubs and Coaches in an effort to sway players.
Players want to know, “Who is coming to the tryout”, “Who else is already on the team”, and “How many players do you already have”. Players will also tell coaches what positions they will and will not play. Parents want to know if their kid is “Your #1 setter, or “Your #1 outside” etc., and what type of playing time they will get. Players want assurances if they show up on tryout Saturday, they will make the team. They want a commitment from Club Coaches ahead of time, but aren’t willing to make one themselves.
This year, open gyms felt like I was at a car dealership trying to negotiate a sale, or at a giant swap meet watching people bicker and barter over who could provide the best deal. In the week leading up to tryout Saturday, there was so much leveraging and deal making going on, it felt like I should’ve been working on Wall Street.
The day of the tryout was unlike any tryout I have ever been part of as an athlete or a coach. Players that said they were coming, no showed without any explanation. Players that were at the tryout, knew they were already on the team, and the 2 hours blocked for tryouts would only be about 45 minutes. Tryouts are a formality now; a courtesy so the Region can say we had an official tryout. In reality, the tryouts now take place at the open gyms. The integrity of the tryout has been lost.
I miss the days when players had to show up and demonstrate their ability, work ethic, and worthiness at a tryout. Coaches could then see a player’s best effort. Everyone at the tryouts had the same opportunity to prove themselves. There were no negotiations, no promises, no bartering. Some kids made the team, and some kids didn’t. There were no guarantees.
In today’s youth sport climate, no one wants to:
· Have to try out for a team
· Worry about not making a team
· Not be on the BEST team
· Have to compete for playing time
· Have to play a position they don’t want to play
There is something to be said for having to ‘bring your best’ under pressure and perform. That’s why we have tryouts. Although, I know we no longer live in that climate, I wish there was a way to get back to the integrity of the tryout process. With so many different Clubs, I don’t know if it’s possible, but I do know…. I miss it.
The Region has decided to allow “open gym dates” prior to tryouts as an opportunity for players to shop other clubs and make a more informed decision about which club they like best. In theory, I understand why the Region decided to allow the open gyms. These open gyms, however, seem to have turned into something unintended.
Players and parents attend open gyms in an effort to negotiate positions on teams prior to tryouts. They want assurances and promises, and sometimes leverage clubs against each other to get the best result. Coaches are on the phone, texting and calling until the wee hours of the night trying to secure players prior to tryouts. Coaches sometimes talk poorly about other Clubs and Coaches in an effort to sway players.
Players want to know, “Who is coming to the tryout”, “Who else is already on the team”, and “How many players do you already have”. Players will also tell coaches what positions they will and will not play. Parents want to know if their kid is “Your #1 setter, or “Your #1 outside” etc., and what type of playing time they will get. Players want assurances if they show up on tryout Saturday, they will make the team. They want a commitment from Club Coaches ahead of time, but aren’t willing to make one themselves.
This year, open gyms felt like I was at a car dealership trying to negotiate a sale, or at a giant swap meet watching people bicker and barter over who could provide the best deal. In the week leading up to tryout Saturday, there was so much leveraging and deal making going on, it felt like I should’ve been working on Wall Street.
The day of the tryout was unlike any tryout I have ever been part of as an athlete or a coach. Players that said they were coming, no showed without any explanation. Players that were at the tryout, knew they were already on the team, and the 2 hours blocked for tryouts would only be about 45 minutes. Tryouts are a formality now; a courtesy so the Region can say we had an official tryout. In reality, the tryouts now take place at the open gyms. The integrity of the tryout has been lost.
I miss the days when players had to show up and demonstrate their ability, work ethic, and worthiness at a tryout. Coaches could then see a player’s best effort. Everyone at the tryouts had the same opportunity to prove themselves. There were no negotiations, no promises, no bartering. Some kids made the team, and some kids didn’t. There were no guarantees.
In today’s youth sport climate, no one wants to:
· Have to try out for a team
· Worry about not making a team
· Not be on the BEST team
· Have to compete for playing time
· Have to play a position they don’t want to play
There is something to be said for having to ‘bring your best’ under pressure and perform. That’s why we have tryouts. Although, I know we no longer live in that climate, I wish there was a way to get back to the integrity of the tryout process. With so many different Clubs, I don’t know if it’s possible, but I do know…. I miss it.
CBSE 10th Result 2017
ReplyDeleteLisa, well said & all too well understood. It has been this way in the S.East Valley for about the last 2-3 years, with 4 "higher profile" clubs vying for the same athletes & some of them promising kids & parents the world BEFORE "tryouts". What's disturbing is that when that point is brought up to them about being illegal, & then asked "you would play for a club that does unethical things", they shrug & don't care. Our club loses out on possible additions & kids who have been in our club because they get caught up in the Promise Game, but I'm hoping karma is watching & about to act!
ReplyDeletePat Mooney