Friday, September 4, 2009

Game Week: The Nicolet Game, Fairness & Absences

[This is condensed from emails sent by Coach Joe Wieland recently.]
After 3 weeks of practice, we are ready for some games. The first game is 9/12 at Nicolet HS at 4:00.
PLAYING TIME - Fair does not mean equal.
I want every player to have fun and feel like they are part of the team. After the scrimmage last night the coaches met and put together a plan so that all players will play in the game by the end of the 3rd quarter. By the end of the season, every player will have started at least one game. Not all players will play the same amount in the game. The playing time of some players is limited by their knowledge of the game, commitment to practice time or desire to play. When a player says to us, "I can only play safety", he is limited to one spot on the field.
GAMES ARE SHORT. Games are 4 8-minute quarters. That is less than the length of one practice. If you come to watch your son play, really watch for him or you may miss him. Ask him what position he plays and what quarter he thinks he will play in.
If you or your son have concerns about their role on the team, please let me know via email and we can set up a time to talk.
Reminder that practice Monday is optional, Tuesday and Thursday are mandatory.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks,
Joe Wieland
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The coming week's schedule:
9/7 Labor Day (OPTIONAL PRACTICE) 5:00-dark
This is officially the first week of Monday/Thursday practices during the week. If you have plans, keep them and enjoy the day. If you do not have plans and are tired of listening to your boys complain that there is nothing to do and you need a break from them at the end of a 3 day weekend, send them to Lydell. All players/coaches who have been kicked out of their houses by annoyed wives/moms will have a fun practice. Absences will not be held against any players.
9/8 Tuesday ( Extra practice) 5:00-dark
This is planned to make up for the lost practice time on Monday. If you had planned other activities already scheduled because Tuesday is usually a "non-football" day, keep those plans and let me know via email. Absences will not be held against a player.
9/10 Thursday 5:00-Dark
* * *
9/12 GAME at Nicolet 4:00. All players must arrive at 3:00. [It's a road game, so it will be WHITE jerseys, unless Coach Wieland decrees something else.]
* * *
A note from Coach Wieland on Absences:
The coaching staff is working hard at insuring that all players get onto the field during games and scrimmages. We have a plan that gets every boy into the game in either the 1st, 2nd or 3rd quarter. When we know that someone will be gone due to a conflict, it makes planning easier.
IF YOU KNOW YOUR SON IS GOING TO MISS A FUTURE GAME, PLEASE LET US KNOW NOW.