Who's wrong, me (1st year HS coach) or angry parent?

The mor I think about it...

Give us times here. You used 3rd, and 6th and 7th... But let's see the stats.

If it's 2:00.45 for the kid that ran and a PR of 2:00.23 for the kid that didn't they have a point here.

have one runner run the 1st 400m then pass the baton to the other guy so they both get to run at state....easy solution

You should have a run off. Maybe this senior is going to run his heart out for his last race and make a big pr. All 6 or 7 should race, easiest way to determine top 4 right now. And fairest

So, the senior is a) slower and b) has been slacking off and missing practice?

Leave him off the team. Why is this even a question? Tell the parents that it's not subject to discussion. It's not a matter of poor communication, as you don't owe the parents a word of explanation about your decisions.

You: "Runners A, B, C, and D are faster than you, runner G. Therefore the relay will be composed of runners A, B, C, and D. The End."

not just the #6 runner, but the #7 and #4 runners should have been given a warning as well. The way this is sounding, the #7 runner absolutely wanted to run at state and understood that he was in trouble if he didn't do something. By beating the #6 runner handily, the #6 runner is now your active 5th runner and the #7 runner is now your 4th runner.

The Donger wrote:

This is your bad.

Your decision to run the fastest team is correct. Your lack of communication to the athlete and parents that he is an alternate and if the faster runner is healthy to return (the faster runner) will run state and he will again be an alternate is where you went wrong.

the OP mentioned the #5 runner decided to take some time off because of a death within the family.

The damage has been done. If you change anything now, you are powerless forever.

If the difference in 800 times was marginal, you made the mistake.

If the 4x8 relay has no shot of being point scorers at state, you made the mistake.

Otherwise, you were correct. Again, though, change nothing now. It's too late.

Also, where are you that state qualifying is done already?

You qualified for state out of your conference meet? Did the original #6 run in the heats where the 3,7 runners ran so fast. As a few others, I'd like to know the differences we're considering here. Sounds as if you have a tight pack of 800 guys. Also, to me, sounds as if you're trying to justify leaving him off because he missed some weekend practices. Did he have valid excuses for the absences?

The senior is now gone. With his parents.

So you don't really have a problem here.

You are just looking for approval.

Its a leadership choice, you have plenty of feedback for when it happens again - and it will.

Clear communication throughout the season. You can even provide written 'rules" that can be sent home.

But keep your communication consistent and often.

>senioritis, lowering his training intensity

>out for season with injury

Pick one, asshat.

But really, half mile grudge race on the street between all potential members of the 4x8 team. Get the rest of the school to make wagers and come watch during lunch.

Why is most of your team injured?

Coach better and this things won't be an issue.

Conduct a time trial or two. My son played HS tennis and bounced between #1 and #2, depending on the results of challenge matches.

I understand the parents' argument that you dance with the one who brung you, but you also need to field the best team. Time trials.

Best Option wrote:

You should have a run off. Maybe this senior is going to run his heart out for his last race and make a big pr. All 6 or 7 should race, easiest way to determine top 4 right now. And fairest

In my experience the kid who wins the runoff and makes the team runs a letdown race in the actual meet he's trying to get into. Runoff = bad news. You have a whole season (career) of data. Use it.

You're actually debating this when his parents are the ones arguing? Lol maybe if he actually came up to you and presented his case it would be worth considering, but if his parents are taking charge then you absolutely should not be running him

I was somewhat sympathetic with the senior until you said he doesn't show up to practices and has been lazy. I'll say this, though. It's hard to be a senior and know you're not the top guy and losing to underclassmen. He may actually feel like it is less of a team since you've become the coach if something like times 100% determines who runs. That takes personhood out of the picture and makes individual performance the basis of your team. He may feel like an afterthought as a senior who has been there through it all only to see underclassmen be more important to the team just because of an 800m time.

While I would like to say that the kid should have come to you instead of the parents, it may actually be a sign of respect from the kid if he's trying not to make it a big deal himself by mostly respecting your decision even if it didn't favor him. So I wouldn't be quick to damn him regardless of whether he's talking or not talking right now.

elephino wrote:

You're right, but it sucks for the kid and his parents and I can't blame them for being disappointed.

I disagree with the end of your statment as well as someone who said the parent's aren't wrong. Yes, the parents are wrong.

They have told you that the kid won't go to state unless he's running. What type of values is that teaching their son? Admittedly in this day and age, there is little true loyalty in the real world but I'd want to teach my kid about being part of a team through thick and thin (of course, companies hand out pink slips whenever they want if they are publicly traded).

The parents are totally wrong.

Abbott&Costello wrote:

Who's on first?

I had to laugh.

D-coach too wrote:

Also, where are you that state qualifying is done already?

All qualifying in Texas was completed this past weekend and public schools have their State meet on 5/15-16. All Texas private school State meets will be done by this Sat, 5/9.