How common is very late guest player scheduling?

[sigmabody]

My son's club often has guest players from within the club for games and tournaments (this is presumably not uncommon). Usually this is for numbers or positional needs, not to gain competitive advantage per se. However, many times those invitations are "last minute"; ie within a day or two of the event itself, which might in some cases be hours away (and/or have really early start times, etc.). Moreover, in many cases the schedule and player needs are known much further in advance, often weeks, but the coaches seem to not invite and confirm guest players until the last minute. There seems to be a prevailing attitude (among the coaches at least) that an invitation to guest, particularly with a higher-level team, is something which parents will be so grateful for as to bend over backwards cancel all other plans on short notice to accept, no matter how inconvenient or arduous the actual participation is.

I'm curious how common this practice and attitude is among other club teams. Is this something which is considered normal, or is my son's club an anomaly here? Do we just have coaches who are bad at scheduling, or do all coaches invite guest players only a day or two in advance? Is this just coach specific? What are other people's experiences?

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

We have guest players from other teams in the club fairly often, but it's rarely day-of or day before scrambling to find someone - usually it's known earlier that week when there might be a need. There's usually a roster deadline to put them on the event roster/game card, and we try and meet that. Yes - many (most?) tournaments let them be added to the game card manually day-of if they have their card and meet the eligibility rules.

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

Players get hurt during the week leading up to weekend, players get sick, etc. It's not uncommon and not necessarily because the coaches are not organized. Maybe other players were asked and they are waiting to hear back from them and they eventually come back and say no.

And you always have the option to say No if they ask and it's too burdensome to make changes to your plans last minute.

 

[Slobodan]

My son's club often has guest players from within the club for games and tournaments (this is presumably not uncommon). Usually this is for numbers or positional needs, not to gain competitive advantage per se. However, many times those invitations are "last minute"; ie within a day or two of the event itself, which might in some cases be hours away (and/or have really early start times, etc.). Moreover, in many cases the schedule and player needs are known much further in advance, often weeks, but the coaches seem to not invite and confirm guest players until the last minute. There seems to be a prevailing attitude (among the coaches at least) that an invitation to guest, particularly with a higher-level team, is something which parents will be so grateful for as to bend over backwards cancel all other plans on short notice to accept, no matter how inconvenient or arduous the actual participation is.

I'm curious how common this practice and attitude is among other club teams. Is this something which is considered normal, or is my son's club an anomaly here? Do we just have coaches who are bad at scheduling, or do all coaches invite guest players only a day or two in advance? Is this just coach specific? What are other people's experiences?

Coaches don't tell you about the ringers because sane people won't spend $1,200 for a tournament knowing your coach will give more minutes to a non-roster "guest".

 

[Jamisfoes]

Another possibility is you are not his first choice. His first choices went out and was waiting for their response. When he got rejected, he came to you.

 

[Messi>CR7]

You're assuming coaches all have good organizational skills. Once we had 19 kids show up dressed because coach forgot to tell one of them he is not on the game-day roster.

That and what @Jamisfoes said above.

 

[RandomSoccerFan]

You're assuming coaches all have good organizational skills. Once we had 19 kids show up dressed because coach forgot to tell one of them he is not on the game-day roster.

And coaches can also be conflict-avoidant. One tournament we called out the other team for trying to play 19 kids in the game. The opposing coach was upset to be called out - and the parent ran over at halftime to yell at the coach and find out why their (#19th) kid wasn't going to play the whole game.

 

[TopesWin]

My son's club often has guest players from within the club for games and tournaments (this is presumably not uncommon). Usually this is for numbers or positional needs, not to gain competitive advantage per se. However, many times those invitations are "last minute"; ie within a day or two of the event itself, which might in some cases be hours away (and/or have really early start times, etc.). Moreover, in many cases the schedule and player needs are known much further in advance, often weeks, but the coaches seem to not invite and confirm guest players until the last minute. There seems to be a prevailing attitude (among the coaches at least) that an invitation to guest, particularly with a higher-level team, is something which parents will be so grateful for as to bend over backwards cancel all other plans on short notice to accept, no matter how inconvenient or arduous the actual participation is.

I'm curious how common this practice and attitude is among other club teams. Is this something which is considered normal, or is my son's club an anomaly here? Do we just have coaches who are bad at scheduling, or do all coaches invite guest players only a day or two in advance? Is this just coach specific? What are other people's experiences?

Considering you are always running down your own kid and saying he's a mediocre player (the ONLY person on this board who constantly does that) maybe they are just desperate for another body by the time they get around to asking you.

 

[sigmabody]

Thanks for the various responses.

I'll note, as an aside, that it's strange that people assumed I was referring to my kid as the one who received regular late invite(s); while this has happened for him maybe once, it's far more frequent for other kids (eg: being invited to play with my son's team, or other players on his team being asked to fill in elsewhere on short notice).

Also, as another very tangential aside, I personally feel it's far more strange for people to have an inflated opinion of their own kids' abilities than a realistic one. If you're a player on a middle-tier team, chances are you're an average player. I don't consider having a realistic perception of ability to be "running down" my kid either (in fact, my kid is somewhat exceptional in some other areas, not that that's relevant here). But I tip my hat to @TopesWin's persistent efforts to insult me personally, despite his hostility not being really related to the original topic, not being factual, and he not actually appearing to know anything about me.

 

[Jamisfoes]

Thanks for the various responses.

I'll note, as an aside, that it's strange that people assumed I was referring to my kid as the one who received regular late invite(s); while this has happened for him maybe once, it's far more frequent for other kids (eg: being invited to play with my son's team, or other players on his team being asked to fill in elsewhere on short notice).

Also, as another very tangential aside, I personally feel it's far more strange for people to have an inflated opinion of their own kids' abilities than a realistic one. If you're a player on a middle-tier team, chances are you're an average player. I don't consider having a realistic perception of ability to be "running down" my kid either (in fact, my kid is somewhat exceptional in some other areas, not that that's relevant here). But I tip my hat to @TopesWin's persistent efforts to insult me personally, despite his hostility not being really related to the original topic, not being factual, and he not actually appearing to know anything about me.

By the way, I’m not implying you are his second or third choice. I am simply presenting a possible explanation for a late invite.
I have always found your comments constructive and helpful. You are right, a lot of parents inflate their kids’ ability. I respect that you don’t do that.

 

[sigmabody]

By the way, I’m not implying you are his second or third choice. I am simply presenting a possible explanation for a late invite.
I have always found your comments constructive and helpful. You are right, a lot of parents inflate their kids’ ability. I respect that you don’t do that.

Thanks; appreciate it. I didn't mean to say everyone was making that assumption, and I do appreciate the perspectives.

As a bit more unsolicited info, my kid actually has a standing invite to guest with one of the other club's teams currently, whenever he is able, because the other coach values his play style and ability, and wants his other players to pick up some play style traits from my kid if possible. I've just noticed that last minute invites are somewhat common in general, even when needs are known well in advance, and wondered if this was a common practice across most clubs, or whether this was more specific to our club/coaches.

 

[TopesWin]

Thanks for the various responses.

I'll note, as an aside, that it's strange that people assumed I was referring to my kid as the one who received regular late invite(s); while this has happened for him maybe once, it's far more frequent for other kids (eg: being invited to play with my son's team, or other players on his team being asked to fill in elsewhere on short notice).

Also, as another very tangential aside, I personally feel it's far more strange for people to have an inflated opinion of their own kids' abilities than a realistic one. If you're a player on a middle-tier team, chances are you're an average player. I don't consider having a realistic perception of ability to be "running down" my kid either (in fact, my kid is somewhat exceptional in some other areas, not that that's relevant here). But I tip my hat to @TopesWin's persistent efforts to insult me personally, despite his hostility not being really related to the original topic, not being factual, and he not actually appearing to know anything about me.

struck a nerve

 

[rainbow_unicorn]

And be thankful that there are guest players around. What I see more these days is NOT having guest players and having 1 sub on the bench for 11v11.

 

[Grace T.]

And be thankful that there are guest players around. What I see more these days is NOT having guest players and having 1 sub on the bench for 11v11.

Yeah, this is happening with the boys too, except for the showcases at the highest level. Why is that? If it's not a showcase where scouts will be present, people stop caring? Did it always used to be this way? I see EA and EA2 teams still advertising at this late date on the boards....a downsizing unless you are playing at the highest levels? Are first teams having to send players down (or younger players up) to play with the second and third teams?

 

[soccermax2]

My son's club often has guest players from within the club for games and tournaments (this is presumably not uncommon). Usually this is for numbers or positional needs, not to gain competitive advantage per se. However, many times those invitations are "last minute"; ie within a day or two of the event itself, which might in some cases be hours away (and/or have really early start times, etc.). Moreover, in many cases the schedule and player needs are known much further in advance, often weeks, but the coaches seem to not invite and confirm guest players until the last minute. There seems to be a prevailing attitude (among the coaches at least) that an invitation to guest, particularly with a higher-level team, is something which parents will be so grateful for as to bend over backwards cancel all other plans on short notice to accept, no matter how inconvenient or arduous the actual participation is.

I'm curious how common this practice and attitude is among other club teams. Is this something which is considered normal, or is my son's club an anomaly here? Do we just have coaches who are bad at scheduling, or do all coaches invite guest players only a day or two in advance? Is this just coach specific? What are other people's experiences?

Been in competitive youth soccer with 2 girls for 15 years now. This unfortunately happens very often. In my experience with Coaches across the board they are not very organized human beings. If you get a good team manger that can help. Then when you get to the higher level they start to have a superiority attitude. Thinking you should be grateful that I even asked.

This also stems from parents allowing this behavior, trying to do anything to get on a top team. Basically kissing the coaches butt.

My philosophy has always been, respect my family, time, money and you’ll get the respect back. Has worked for me so far and I have zero problem walking away from a coach/club when that mutual respect is not there. If parents were willing to do that more often you would see a change in attitude from coaches and clubs alike.

 

[watfly]

My philosophy has always been, respect my family, time, money and you’ll get the respect back. Has worked for me so far and I have zero problem walking away from a coach/club when that mutual respect is not there. If parents were willing to do that more often you would see a change in attitude from coaches and clubs alike.

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