Kid slacking off in training...Should I boot him?

Don't kick him off. Try to fix it.

What good does it do you or him to kick him off for slacking, given that his reasoning is fear of injury? He's young, completely knew to it, and probably has no idea what he SHOULD be doing.

It's not easy to talk to every kid individually, but that's definitely what you need with this one. Explain to him how his training should progress, where you plan to take his mileage and workouts, and how you have injury prevention in mind already (hopefully you do).

Maybe more importantly, point out to him that he has potential- but that he can't realize his potential doing what he's doing. Then have him set some goals for both racing and training. See where HE wants to go with this.

I've had slacker freshmen who start in the 23-24 minute range and eventually run sub-18 or faster once they get it. You just never know. You don't want to end his career in September of freshman year, though.

He's a freshman, guy. You should see some of my freshmen runners. I constantly remind myself that they're just 14 years old. You gotta be a teacher. If you kick everyone off the team, then what's the point?? EDUCATE and INSPIRE

I appreciate the help man, i talked to him about race goals and he said he wants a sub 15 5k and a sub 4:20 mile by the end of high school. And i know if he trained hard he'd be running at least sub 4:30 and sub 16. I just want him to take training seriously,i hate to see wasted potential as well and i think thats what gets me mad so much. The fact that kids train hard everyday since freshman year and are only running 21min 5k's but this jackass comes freshman year off of 10 miles a week for a couple weeks and taking 2 months off and runs a 20:30. I hope he trains hard like he said he would. Thanks for the advice ill try and motivate him.

I understand but like i said its just "wasted potential" he can run a 5:16 mile off of little training and doesn't want to train hard. Just makes me so mad.

He's a Freshman. Keep him fresh.. don't injure him (physically or mentally).

Maybe he us just scared to get injured. If he hadn't run in months, he probably SHOULD be doing slow easy miles. Just because he has natural talent doesn't mean he's immune to injuries

I guess most training i give the kids are 40-1 hour easy runs and 2 days a week we do hard workouts 2min hard 4min off for 30min type interval workouts, and hills. Even the fat kids dont get injured doing this.

You need to relax. Something that always stuck with me when I took a mandated coaching class. One of the instructors said " I never want to be the reason a kid quits a sport". You are there to get the kids interested in the sport.

encourage him by setting him short-term race goals linked to specific training goals.

Pics?

Ya i would but some of his goals are insane. He wants a sub - 17 at the end of XC and i tried to tell him he needs to train to improve anyways im good now. Ill update you every couple days if you guys want.

Me too, but i act happy and chill irl just showing my real emotions on letsrun lol

Sounds to me like he should boot you

LMAO, like i said started coaching last year. Im new to this and ive always been serious about XC/Track so its not normal for me too see a slackers point of view.

Here's what you do. BACK OFF!!!!

He's 14, and he's right to be cautious. Let him do what he wants to do.

He's improving, and when he's ready and stronger, he'll run fast.

Give him time, and back off in the meantime.

MadCoach700 wrote:

but this jackass

Wow.

Sounds like the kid should be the coach and kick you off the team.

Do you see any Pure Hate flowing through this kid?

If not, give him the boot.

If so, help him increase his Pure Hate flow rate.

OMG

I know i used vulgar language to express my distaste towards his attitude to training but i hate seeing someone who slackes off all day and runs i guess "decent time" vs people who actually are passionate and work hard but run way slower just because God gifted the other one more. Ill try to motivate i guess but like you said ill calm down and see to his needs if things go wrong(injuries,over training,school problems etc..)