Just can't get the distance kids running. What to do...

The solution is to cut the kids who don't show up. If they can't balance academics and sports, then they shouldn't join the sport. I mean this seriously - academics are more important.

This solution is better than them half-assing their effort, which drags down the kids who actually care, wastes your time, and wastes your resources. The football coach wouldn't put up with this crap, why should you?

Make sure the attendance policy is in writing, has been approved by your AD, and is crystal clear to the parents. I'm sure you can find something in writing by Joe Newton, the legendary coach, to use as an example or justification.

The inability to get a ride is a legitimate excuse though. The school doesn't provide transportation to practice and meets?

There are some decent suggestions here but I think the first thing you need to do is understand that it's their sport and in the off season they get to do it as seriously or casually as they like. Nothing good is likely to come of you caring more about their performances than they do, The sport doesn't matter to a lot of high school runners as it does to people who hang out at Letsrun. Give them your plan. Explain to them that the more they run in the off season the faster they'll race during the season, hope that you get a few examples of kids whose improvements highlight that point, put more time and thought into working with the ones who are most serious, and relax,

My daughter is in 8th grade and has been running with the varsity for 2 years.

She is one of those kids that isn't in love with it yet despite lots of early success and its a challenge to get her out there everyday despite an outstanding team culture and environment.

Her coach does a couple of things that I haven't heard mentioned that contributes to a strong culture and work ethic.

First, being a captain on the team is a big big deal. You have to apply with an essay and go thru an interview with the coach. The responsibilities of the captains (plural) is significant ranging from being responsible for organizing runs during summer and other s hook breaks, to making sure younger athletes can get to practice with a ride, leading warm ups and leading by example.

The choices the coaches have made in the last two years have been impressive. Current captain came up to my daughter after she ran very poorly (10th man) for the third straight week and talked encouragingly to her about how great she is in practice how she was going to be a huge part of the teams success by the end of the year. Well the impact of that captain was huge. My Kid ran harder than ever over the next week and on race day hung on to a fast pace to finish 3rd on the team.

Your captains can make a huge huge difference. Choose well. And make sure they understand and accept their responsibilities.

Another thing the coaches do is simulations for next year showing where the team and individuals might expect to finish in conference or state with reasonable improvements. For example, with a 30 second 5k improvement my daughter can become all conference, and the team can challenge their sister school rival that has bested them recently. That helps set the goals for individuals and the team.

Regarding attendance: the coach has a system where missed practices have a numeric impact on the individuals lettering eligibility. I don't think it matters anymore because of the strong culture they have built.

Good luck

All you need is one or two kids to get motivated and find success, it will catch on eventually. Like running, this will take a while to improve. It takes a good deal of time to change a culture. Just coach the kids who want to be there and make them better. The kids will either look at that and say "if he can do it, so can i" or if you're lucky the lazy ones will get frustrated and quit. It won't change overnight but just be patient. You just need more leadership and the fastest way to establish that is to focus on the kids who care.

I'm only 27, but kids even in high school now seem to think that you don't need to work hard to be good. Nobody sees the hard work that real athletes put in, all they see is the bragging and big talking. Just use every failure they have as a teaching moment and explain to them what they could have done to better prepare for next time.

I remember one year we had a mileage goal. It amounted to something like just 100 miles per month. We were given a t-shirt if we accomplished it. A goal like that is manageable for those still developing, okay for people just doing something in the offseason, and something your overachievers can enjoy dominating. Maybe put a stretch goal that amounts to something like 150 miles per month.

Don't know what to do. wrote:

The setting:

Northern California

50-60s

Rain a few days a week; not much the two days prior.

Very high achieving academic school

The team took 2-3 weeks off after xc and is getting back into it. Problem is they all talk big but when it comes down to it, they just don't run. Even when we meet up as a team at times only a handful show. Kids have a million excuses why they can't run from too much homework, finals, no ride (I could go on here).

So what is a coach to do?

So I'm assuming you mean they aren't running during their own time, meaning you aren't holding official practices. Are any of them running track? Are you the track coach too?

Surprise! wrote:

Don't know what to do. wrote:

The setting:

Northern California

50-60s

Rain a few days a week; not much the two days prior.

Very high achieving academic school

The team took 2-3 weeks off after xc and is getting back into it. Problem is they all talk big but when it comes down to it, they just don't run. Even when we meet up as a team at times only a handful show. Kids have a million excuses why they can't run from too much homework, finals, no ride (I could go on here).

So what is a coach to do?

So I'm assuming you mean they aren't running during their own time, meaning you aren't holding official practices. Are any of them running track? Are you the track coach too?

^This is what I took it to mean. Which begs the question; do other states allow coaches to kick athletes off the team for not running on their own during the off season? Can you even hold MANDATORY practices during the off season. Our school's policy (which comes from our section of the CIF) is that off season practices cannot be mandatory.

During the off season, other things attract kids attention and running often seems far away and unattractive. Getting kids back on the horse after a 2-3 week break is really difficult. I have a sports P.E. class and I STILL have a hard time getting kids to run what they should be running after we take our post cross country break.

If I used the "kick 'em off" method for encouraging them to train during the off season, I would have lost my #1 guy of all time. He didn't really get serious until fall of his junior year. Hell, the kick 'em off technique would have resulted in Bruce Edwards kicking German Fernandez off the team his sophomore year at Riverbank. German went on to win the D4 state meet that year and run the fastest time of the day, across all divisions.

After the season have them run every other day for two to four weeks rather than totally off for two weeks. When they get used to going home and taking naps and eating junk it becomes a habit. My friend coaches at a small school in Ohio. They have a pasta dinner every Thursday at a parent volunteers house. You could schedule low key road races and only take runners who make a minimum number of practices. Btw, my friend has 130 runners in a school of 400.

Just drop them off in the middle of a nocal forest in the sierra foothills, near some mountain lions, and tell them to make it back to the car. They sound like a bunch of wet blanket generation ys unable to make a decision or take any initiative and they need to wake up.

Thanks for all the replies!

This is off season training. It is strictly optional and we meet once a week to check in and see how things are going. Which so far has been a range of excuses, some of which have been mentioned.

They have some talent. We had 15 kids between 16:00 and 17:30 this season, 11 of whom were juniors or younger. And of those only one did the prescribed summer training (not surprisingly the number one guy).

After the season there was lots of talk on how they wanted to put in the work. We made a plan and let them make their own individual goals to take ownership of their training and performance.

But then it rained.

And then there was finals.

I know it's December and I haven't been anything but encouraging and motivating. After all, it's optional. But I can't help but feel that I care more than they do. When all you have to do is get out there 30 minutes a day right now. I'm trying to promote the love of running and team. But there's always reasons they "can't."

And I guess I have to be ok with that. As many said its their season.

Thanks for the ideas. We will keep promoting the sport and keep trying to build the culture!

You need to quit being a teacher, and instead be a leader (and if you can't help being a teacher, you could be a coach). Is a leader someone who directs by example? Maybe.Does a leader engage their followers? Does a leader create excitement and desire? Does a leader have to use force, threats, nagging or whining?How can you (without telling your runners) engage and create excitement in your runners?I could tell you, but you wouldn't get it. You gotta get it for yourself.

Don't know what to do. wrote:

The team took 2-3 weeks off after xc and is getting back into it. Problem is they all talk big but when it comes down to it, they just don't run. Even when we meet up as a team at times only a handful show. Kids have a million excuses why they can't run from too much homework, finals, no ride (I could go on here).

So what is a coach to do?

Best advice so far. Only thing to add...you can't want it more than they do.

Don't know what to do wrote:

Trust me, I have thought about it. Problem is it's the off season and by rule that's not an option.

They have a training plan, we meet 2-3 times a week, and more than anything need a kick in the ass. They're soft.

So...ideas?

Don't be concerned. They will get faster each year in high school just because of their aging.

You contribute little physically, so I'd focus on more technical things that may enhance their love of the sport. Obviously running them in rain isn't that. Unless you get them into some mud wrestling.

You aren't as important to their future as you think. UNless they put on 50 pounds they'll all come back faster, and you will think its you and your motivation, and keeping on them.

Try to make the issue smaller but not trying to get all of the team giving their all right now but instead focus on finding the runners who are putting in the effort and give energy and attention to them, even if they are not the fastest. Hopefully some of their devotion and love will inspire the others.