Son cut from track team. Didn't qualify for divisionals

Correct. Since indoor-outdoor is basically one long season, he should keep practicing. I've never heard of track coaches telling anyone NOT to come to practice. Even at the end of spring, if a kid is not going to state, they should still practice. Many will bail voluntarily at that point but nobody should be told not to come.

No, that is not normal. Unless the coach told him to take a couple week break before returning to practice for outdoor. Which is still not normal, but might happen.

not mad wrote:

No, that is not normal. Unless the coach told him to take a couple week break before returning to practice for outdoor. Which is still not normal, but might happen.

Nope. Sign ups for outdoor are in 4 weeks. I told him to run on hate. Not even a spot for a relay team.

Could there be a communication problem or misunderstanding?

May be best to follow-up directly with the coach:

"Hey Coach <Stopwatch>, since <Junior> didn't qualify for indoor post-season events, we're not clear on what your expectations are for him. He's excited about outdoor and wants to improve enough to eventually be a contributor. Is he expected to be at practice? If not, what are your suggestions for training on his own over the next few weeks? Thanks and Go <Mascots>, <Mad Parent>"

mad parent wrote:

not mad wrote:

No, that is not normal. Unless the coach told him to take a couple week break before returning to practice for outdoor. Which is still not normal, but might happen.

Nope. Sign ups for outdoor are in 4 weeks. I told him to run on hate. Not even a spot for a relay team.

Call the coach an ask him about this. There may be more to the story.

Our policy is to never "cut" anyone, however once the postseason begins we gradually pare down our roster to only the kids who are still participating (plus a few potential relay alternates). In our case we are talking about 3 weeks and since EVERYONE takes a break between seasons, this makes the most sense to us. It gives the kids a chance to focus on other things. The policy is explained thoroughly to both the athletes and parents prior the start of the season and i believe that has helped to avoid any misunderstanding / disappointment.

...and i just realized the OP was referring to indoor-outdoor seasons. We do not have an indoor season so my remarks might not be applicable.

Spartiatis wrote:

Our policy is to never "cut" anyone, however once the postseason begins we gradually pare down our roster to only the kids who are still participating (plus a few potential relay alternates). In our case we are talking about 3 weeks and since EVERYONE takes a break between seasons, this makes the most sense to us. It gives the kids a chance to focus on other things. The policy is explained thoroughly to both the athletes and parents prior the start of the season and i believe that has helped to avoid any misunderstanding / disappointment.

Yea I don’t think paring down to the essential runners instead a bunch of kids for the next 3-4 weeks is unreasonable. I do think they should tell the kids to keep practicing in the off time to get ready for spring tryouts. Ppl get spoiled from seeing teams like Newbury Park and not realizing that probably 75% of hs coaches are teachers and have other things to do besides watch freshman and make workouts for them. But like I said, it would’ve been nice to give the ones sent home a nice chat about continuing to run for next few weeks

mad parent wrote:

Long story short son has been on indoor track team since December. He's a freshman. First season running track. He was just sent home yesterday because his times aren't fast enough to get into post season. Is this normal? I thought once you're on the team, you're on the team. You just don't travel if you don't have the times to justify being there in post season.

I just looked up your IP.

An indoor track team in Florida?

Assuming you aren't a troll, no it's not normal. Any decent coach would want the guys to continue practice - particularly the freshmen.

mad parent wrote:

Long story short son has been on indoor track team since December. He's a freshman. First season running track. He was just sent home yesterday because his times aren't fast enough to get into post season. Is this normal? I thought once you're on the team, you're on the team. You just don't travel if you don't have the times to justify being there in post season.

Could be a division/school district/governing body rule. I've coached in areas that require a roster to be submitted for post-season competitions. We weren't allowed to have athletes outside of the actual event entrants and relay members/alternates. I'm assuming the thought process was that if an athlete wasn't going to be competing anymore (i.e. doesn't need to be at practice) then they shouldn't be there. I can totally imagine an uppity parent causing a fuss for the school/district if Johnny or Suzy got hurt when they didn't need to be at practice. It's all liability. If any coach out there doesn't have CYA (Cover Your A**) as one of (not only, or most important, but one of) their guiding decision-making tenets, then they're playing a risky game. Never talk to, text, etc. athletes without another coach present/included, no hugs, all that stuff. CYA. Maybe your district would rather avoid a lawsuit than allow kids to practice beyond when is necessary (of course it would be beneficial, but is it necessary?), I know mine would.

Any chance your son is a nuisance at practice? Coach might want to eliminate distractions to focus on the post-season with just the top tier athletes.

Has he run under 4:20?

rojo wrote:

mad parent wrote:

Long story short son has been on indoor track team since December. He's a freshman. First season running track. He was just sent home yesterday because his times aren't fast enough to get into post season. Is this normal? I thought once you're on the team, you're on the team. You just don't travel if you don't have the times to justify being there in post season.

I just looked up your IP.

An indoor track team in Florida?

Assuming you aren't a troll, no it's not normal. Any decent coach would want the guys to continue practice - particularly the freshmen.

Are you trying to doxx me? Of all the trolls on this site that lie and are abusive and make sh!t up?

BTW, it's in New England. I try to keep my personal life and my internet life separate. Thanks, Rojo. The site is supposed to be anonymous.

coachy wrote:

Has he run under 4:20?

NH in the HJ

Stop whining.

It doesn't sound that same as being cut but his season has merely ended. He didn't qualify for the remaining meets on the schedule so they don't want to deal with him in practice. He can go out any run on his own every day of the week until the outdoor season starts.

mad parent wrote:

rojo wrote:

I just looked up your IP.

An indoor track team in Florida?

Assuming you aren't a troll, no it's not normal. Any decent coach would want the guys to continue practice - particularly the freshmen.

Are you trying to doxx me? Of all the trolls on this site that lie and are abusive and make sh!t up?

BTW, it's in New England. I try to keep my personal life and my internet life separate. Thanks, Rojo. The site is supposed to be anonymous.

You doxxed yourself. He had you half a continent away then you came in and told us how to find your house.

mad parent wrote:

coachy wrote:

Has he run under 4:20?

NH in the HJ

I'll take that as a no.

You really need to stop doing this rojo.