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
* * *
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.

Coach Wieland: Boys under 80 pounds may want to play with 5th grade team

From Coach Joe Wieland:
As some of you know, the 5th grade team is low on numbers, about 15-20 players. According to AAYFL rules, a 6th grade player may play down with the 5th grade team if they are under 80 pounds.
I am asking any of the 6th grade team members if they would like to play with the 5th grade team. The advantage will be that they will receive a lot of playing time that will not be available due to the number of players and competition level on the 6th grade team.
I will be very honest with you, if my son Bailey was under 80 pounds, I would have him play with the 5th grade team. He would get to play on offense and defense and play a lot. As many of you know my philosphy from the 7v7 league, playing will make a player better.
The problem for this year's 6th grade team is that with 40 players, the players at the end of the bench will not get many plays.That means that some players may play a series or two, which equates to between 3-8 plays a game. This is the raw truth.
Please pose this question to your sons: " Do you want to play 8 plays with the 6th grade or play a lot of the game during the 5th grade game?" Many teams that the 5th graders will be playing against will be made up of 5th AND 6th graders.
If you do not know which is the better decision for you son, please contact me and we can talk about his situation.
Thanks, Joe