Anyone else get annoyed when they schedule sports during school vacation weeks?

[HeatherC]

Just a little vent...then I'll be happy!

All 3 of my kids (13, 11 and 9) play sports throughout the year. Which I think is great for them and which they really like.

Well this spring my ds is playing Little League Ball. They have scheduled 2 practices and a game over April school break.

Then I get an email today for my dd's soccer team. (Town Rec League) Yep...practices during the week and a game on that Saturday. Haven't heard about the youngest yet.

I'm so annoyed! It is hard enough to schedule family time with sports and I don't see why they feel the need to cram in even more over a vacation week. I understand that if you can't be there, you can't be there. But it puts unecessary pressure on parents to have their kids there and then the kids feel bad when they can't be there.

Well....guess who's kids won't be there? We'll be in Williamsburg and I'm not hurrying back.

Anyone else get annoyed by this?

 

[agnes!]

What I dislike is when the groups don't have vacation practices on the schedule when you sign up (or at the beginning of the season). But I feel your pain re: school & Spring Break...we had plans to go out of town over Spring Break for a college visit but had to cancel because of a group project.

agnes!

 

[CF'er]

DD is trying out for cheerleading. They get demerits if they aren't at all functions but at the informational meeting last night they couldn't give us a sched for fall break yet. Grrrrr

 

[golfgal]

For kids that age, yes, it is annoying and really shouldn't be allowed-or at least no consequences if a child is gone on a family vacation or whatnot. It gets a little more difficult at the high school level as often that is when they have larger tournaments so the kids don't miss school. They try to minimize this at our high school. Golf season started the first day of Spring break for us, they had optional practices all week. The band went to Hawaii so most of the kids on the golf team were gone anyway.

 

[Ceila]

It doesn't bother me as long as there is no consequence for missing the practices/games. If we're here, they go, and if we're away, they miss. Luckily the coaches understand that families often travel and therefore the kids aren't around. For my son's team, they even asked who would be available for a game before committing to one this Saturday. I do not agree with penalizing kids for missing games during breaks.

 

[scrapquitler]

On the other hand...if you are talking about Little League that has children from various school districts, or a high school sports team that plays games against schools from other districts...Not all school districts have the same vacation, and something that is vacation week for 'our' team might not be the same week that the opponents team is on vacation or vice versa. Similarly, if kids on the same little league team go to different school districs or some attend private schools, the vacation weeks might not be the same...and then trying to work around everyone's schedule can become a nightmare.

For example:
My daughters Dance recital is on April 17th and 18th this year. Dress Rehersals are every night the week of the 12th to the 16th. There are kids from numerous private schools and at least 6 school districts in the dance studio. Some of the school districts have vacation the week of the recital. Some have vacation the week after the recital. Some have vacation this week...the director of the studio has to schedule the recital the week that it works for the facility where it is being held, she can't worry about everyones vacation week...the recital is when it is. If she waited to schedule it on a week when there was no prom, no sports, no vacation week, we'd never get to have it.

 

[luvmy3]

It doesn't bother me as long as there is no consequence for missing the practices/games. If we're here, they go, and if we're away, they miss. Luckily the coaches understand that families often travel and therefore the kids aren't around. For my son's team, they even asked who would be available for a game before committing to one this Saturday. I do not agree with penalizing kids for missing games during breaks.

ITA. My dd and my ds both had practices scheduled for last week and the coaches asked prior to that who would be able to make it. Neither of them had any problems with kids missing a day or the whole week's worth. My dd's coach is great, the only requirement she has is that you call her if you are going to miss a game because the team numbers are smaller this year and she wants to know ahead of time if they won't be able to play. There is no penalty for missing practices or games. My ds is in T-ball, so they are even more understanding.

 

[Sleepy]

I don't get annoyed. Missing time is a big no no in my son's activity. It is like not showing up for work. Since we are in a foreign country, we don't get to observe the normal American holidays. Thanksgiving either has to be celebrated on a Sunday (only day off) or around 9pm after class is done. The first year here, he asked the director if he could have Thanksgiving off, explaining that it was similar in importance to Christmas. His director asked him if he wanted to be a professional dancer or celebrate a holiday. He chose dance class and has since then. No biggie. We just learned to adjust.

 

[mjkacmom]

Ds11 is on 3 teams this season, ds7 2, dd7 1, and only 2 have games and practices. I see the reason - field time is hard to get, especially in the spring, with rain and make-ups. I know the coaches have a hard time fielding teams. I'm greatful we have a reduced schedule!

 

[HeatherC]

Totally agree that things are different at the high school level. But this isn't high school. The kids range anywhere from 5 to 13.

I think I miss the "good ol' days" when the kids played pick up ball in the back yard of their neighborhoods.

 

[zalansky]

ITA! My son has been playing pony baseball for 3 years, he is 7 now. The past 2 Easter breaks he was on the winning team for our baseball park so we had to take part in an Easter tournament that was scheduled over break. The first year we had a trip to Sea World scheduled that had to be cancelled. And he was 5 years old! But at the same time, we made a commitment to the team and they need a certain amount of players to be allowed to participate. Luckily this year he is not on that winning team so we get to actually go away for Spring Break this year! But, OP, you're right - its VERY annoying.

 

[puffkin]

I coach youth field hockey grades 2-6. No, there is no penalty if kids miss practices/games. I do ask that they let me know as soon as possible though so I can plan accordingly. I do get annoyed when they miss tournaments though, we only do 2 a season and those dates are known months in advance. When they miss a tournament, they are really letting down their teammates.

I must say though that it really does make it difficult when the younger kids miss. I have X amount of days to teach them. Especially with the younger kids, all the skills are new to them so if they miss a practice how are they going to pick up that skill? I don't have time to constantly repeat things as each practice I introduce a new skill/concept. Our seasons are short enough as it is....average about 2-3 months and that is not a lot of time to teach the kids the skills they need, bring them together as a team, and have a few scrimmages/tournaments. Not scheduling practices/games for a spring break takes away a huge chunk of the season.

 

[agnes!]

I coach youth field hockey grades 2-6. No, there is no penalty if kids miss practices/games. I do ask that they let me know as soon as possible though so I can plan accordingly. I do get annoyed when they miss tournaments though, we only do 2 a season and those dates are known months in advance. When they miss a tournament, they are really letting down their teammates.

I must say though that it really does make it difficult when the younger kids miss. I have X amount of days to teach them. Especially with the younger kids, all the skills are new to them so if they miss a practice how are they going to pick up that skill? I don't have time to constantly repeat things as each practice I introduce a new skill/concept. Our seasons are short enough as it is....average about 2-3 months and that is not a lot of time to teach the kids the skills they need, bring them together as a team, and have a few scrimmages/tournaments. Not scheduling practices/games for a spring break takes away a huge chunk of the season.

I think the objection for the OP and others is when the coach suddenly schedules activities at the last minute for a known school-break and then maybe the coach hands out demerits if you miss.

agnes!

 

[golfgal]

I coach youth field hockey grades 2-6. No, there is no penalty if kids miss practices/games. I do ask that they let me know as soon as possible though so I can plan accordingly. I do get annoyed when they miss tournaments though, we only do 2 a season and those dates are known months in advance. When they miss a tournament, they are really letting down their teammates.

I must say though that it really does make it difficult when the younger kids miss. I have X amount of days to teach them. Especially with the younger kids, all the skills are new to them so if they miss a practice how are they going to pick up that skill? I don't have time to constantly repeat things as each practice I introduce a new skill/concept. Our seasons are short enough as it is....average about 2-3 months and that is not a lot of time to teach the kids the skills they need, bring them together as a team, and have a few scrimmages/tournaments. Not scheduling practices/games for a spring break takes away a huge chunk of the season.

Hopefully those tournaments are not scheduled during long school breaks though. Also, keep it in perspective-you are coaching 7-10 year olds or so, not varsity athletes. I really hate to say it but very little of what kids learn at this young, young age actually translates to skills at the high school or college level. They are good introductory programs to learn the basics of the game but with 99% accuracy I can tell you that your superstar in 5th grade is NOT going to be the superstar on any varsity team.

 

[mjkacmom]

Hopefully those tournaments are not scheduled during long school breaks though. Also, keep it in perspective-you are coaching 7-10 year olds or so, not varsity athletes. I really hate to say it but very little of what kids learn at this young, young age actually translates to skills at the high school or college level. They are good introductory programs to learn the basics of the game but with 99% accuracy I can tell you that your superstar in 5th grade is NOT going to be the superstar on any varsity team.

DH coaches U12 travel soccer, and the tournaments are scheduled during breaks (I know this well, because DH uses my email, and I get all of the emails from the indoor places - tons of them, actually). Since the kids have games on regular weekends, school breaks have a lot to chose from. DH asks who is available before signing up, to make sure he can field a team, especially the ones that the club pays for.

ETA, kids are not penalized from missing tournaments or practices - he's coached many soccer practices when his own ds was at a baseball game, and understands that kids have other activities.

 

[puffkin]

Hopefully those tournaments are not scheduled during long school breaks though. Also, keep it in perspective-you are coaching 7-10 year olds or so, not varsity athletes. I really hate to say it but very little of what kids learn at this young, young age actually translates to skills at the high school or college level. They are good introductory programs to learn the basics of the game but with 99% accuracy I can tell you that your superstar in 5th grade is NOT going to be the superstar on any varsity team.

I don't know about other sports, but in my sport this is 100% untrue. We teach the basic fundamentals at our age and you would be amazed at the high level of play and skill retention these kids have. I took a program from nothing 3 years ago and if you would see my 4th graders today after 3 years in the program it is scary (in a good way). Because they learned the "right" way to play in 2nd and 3rd grade I was able to work on some really advanced concepts with them in 4th grade already. I have two more years with these girls before they age out into the junior high program and I am excited to see what they can accomplish in those two years. I feel bad for the older kids because I didn't get as much time with them.

Our program is not a competitive, travel team type of program. It is a fundamentals/fun based program. We do have the two tournaments, but that isn't our goal. Our goal is to build the basic skills so that when they get to junior high they learn game play and strategy and conditioning. They don't need to learn basic skills like dodges and dribbling at that age. That is how you build an elite program from the ground up through high school.

My point is that when you miss practices and games, even in a program like ours where the focus isn't on "winning/competition" it still hurts the other players. Because the person who misses then takes up my time learning the skills they missed at the last practice which prevents me from moving on and teaching the next thing. And anyone who has ever coached this level knows that you have to keep things fresh, exciting and new for the kids or their minds will wander. They are also little sponges at this age and will soak EVERYTHING up. You would be surprised at the high level of play these kids are capable of!!! I almost cried at practice the one day, I blew the whistle to stop play and EVERY SINGLE PLAYER was in the correct field position instinctively. No, most of these kids won't be high school superstars, but that isn't the point. They knew what to do, where to be, and how to play the game correctly. Mission accomplished.

Sorry, this got long winded...I am just saying that even at a young level it is important for players to be at practices. I know family time is important too, but from a coaches perspective it does get a bit frustrating at times, so at the very least try to plan vacations around tournaments/games and give the coaches plenty of notice.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

DD is trying out for cheerleading. They get demerits if they aren't at all functions but at the informational meeting last night they couldn't give us a sched for fall break yet. Grrrrr

I want to wish your DD good luck with her tryout!! My DD just made it and it is EXCITING!!

We were also told at our team meeting that they WOULD have a game during Fall Break. I think it's crazy to have anything going on that week. Plus if they miss they will get a demerit. We have so much going on this year during that time that we will not be planning a trip, but for those that do, it's bad.

 

[krcit]

My kids have always played rec ball and if we were going to be away for a practice or game, no biggie. In fact, my ds missed his first practive b/c it was on Good Friday. What is new to me is that the high school has games during spring break. I had no idea, lol. My dd plays JV softball and had practice almost every day during break and 3 games. I'm a bit concerned for next year b/c she will turn 16 during spring break and we were going to go away but I don't want her sitting on the bench for the rest of the season

 

[iwrbnd]

YES!!! We planned a spring break trip to WDW this year and had to cancel because there was a mandatory band competition!

 

[golfgal]

I don't know about other sports, but in my sport this is 100% untrue. We teach the basic fundamentals at our age and you would be amazed at the high level of play and skill retention these kids have. I took a program from nothing 3 years ago and if you would see my 4th graders today after 3 years in the program it is scary (in a good way). Because they learned the "right" way to play in 2nd and 3rd grade I was able to work on some really advanced concepts with them in 4th grade already. I have two more years with these girls before they age out into the junior high program and I am excited to see what they can accomplish in those two years. I feel bad for the older kids because I didn't get as much time with them.

Our program is not a competitive, travel team type of program. It is a fundamentals/fun based program. We do have the two tournaments, but that isn't our goal. Our goal is to build the basic skills so that when they get to junior high they learn game play and strategy and conditioning. They don't need to learn basic skills like dodges and dribbling at that age. That is how you build an elite program from the ground up through high school.

My point is that when you miss practices and games, even in a program like ours where the focus isn't on "winning/competition" it still hurts the other players. Because the person who misses then takes up my time learning the skills they missed at the last practice which prevents me from moving on and teaching the next thing. And anyone who has ever coached this level knows that you have to keep things fresh, exciting and new for the kids or their minds will wander. They are also little sponges at this age and will soak EVERYTHING up. You would be surprised at the high level of play these kids are capable of!!! I almost cried at practice the one day, I blew the whistle to stop play and EVERY SINGLE PLAYER was in the correct field position instinctively. No, most of these kids won't be high school superstars, but that isn't the point. They knew what to do, where to be, and how to play the game correctly. Mission accomplished.

Sorry, this got long winded...I am just saying that even at a young level it is important for players to be at practices. I know family time is important too, but from a coaches perspective it does get a bit frustrating at times, so at the very least try to plan vacations around tournaments/games and give the coaches plenty of notice.

Sorry but after 25+ years of coaching experience at the high school and college level it is very true. As kids' bodies change, skills they may have mastered at 2nd grade go away and they have to relearn a lot of stuff. Also, some kids mature faster than others thus they are standout elementary athletes then everyone else catches up and surpasses them and they end up warming the bench in high school. Yes, kids are learning skills no matter when they play but missing a practice or two in 2nd grade will have ZERO bearing on their outcome in high school.