i play on a team that is faily good. we were second place in our division, second to a team we tied.

i play goalie for this team. i'm one of two goalies. the other goalie has a longer reach, somewhat better hands, and a higher jump. i have lateral movement, can get low shots, and i'm great in a 1 v goalie situation. the other goalie punts better than i do, i throw better than the other goalie.

this is the second season i've palyed on this team. the first season, i played something of three games total, the other goalie played six or seven. i was mad, to say the least.

i put up with it. the other goalie missed shots in games that i probably wouldn't have, but still.

in practice, i tried my hardest. but (this is in the winter season) the coach would have penalty shots only at dark. i couldn't see the player, i couldn't read where his shot was going, i could barely even see the ball. needless to say, i missed a lot of shots.

but i was always on time to practice, the other goalie wasn't; i was always into the exercises, and i ran my hardest while the other goalie kind of slacked off sometimes; and this goalie's a nice guy, but i don't think that he should play double the time i should.

last season, i trained with a mls goalie coach. i was okay in these practices. the other goalie did nothing outside of practice.


last season, i talked to coach about my playing time, and he talked to me about it, and sent me and my father a nice email saying how glad he was to see that i was "enthusiastic for the team". nothing changed, however. i still sat most of the time.

i just played my first game of my second season today. i sat the whole game. the other goalie missed shots in this game i was saving in our practices.

i just can't justify how i'm sitting most of the season. it's not that i'm not grateful to be on the team, i'm just confused.

advice?
+++++++++++
04-06-03, 02:40 PM
sonnet26
Runic StormCrow:

This is a real tough one. You've done everything you can and the coach still doesn't listen. You really don't have any other choice but to play your heart out when you're called on.

A similar thing happened in Middle school football with my oldest son - the QB happened to be the coach's son and no one was going to get field time over him (BTW: he was an abysmal QB). My son finished the season and only got on the field 3 times. He didn't play after that, the personal politics being so unpleasant.

Your situation, fortunately, sounds much less political and I encourage you to continue playing as long as you're enjoying it.

You might try approaching your coach one more time and ask, respectfully, for specific critiques on your abilities. Make sure you point out all the extra effort you've put into improving your skills (make a point of NOT mentioning that the other player hasn't done so - try to make this ONLY about you and your excellent skills). If he's worth his salt, he'll be equally respectful and give you valid reasons why the other player gets so much more field time. Be prepared for the possibility that he will have some critiques - don't ask him unless you're prepared to hear everything he has to say. If he can't, or won't, give you a decent and honest critique, then there must be other factors (possibly even personal ones) that you have no control over; hopefully this is not the case.

At any rate, your decision to play must be based on your enjoyment of the game and whether you want to continue playing for this coach. Continue to practice those skills that you feel need improvement and, most of all, have patience; this may be the toughest thing to do.

Good Luck.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,