No matter how you try to justify it and rationalize it, and twist and turn into saying it is ok, you condone unfair play. If you really are a coach, you know this holdback situation benefits the few and puts others at injury risk and give them an unfair advantage. Do not accuse anyone of whining when you are too weak to even take a stand on something so obviously wrong. You are part of the problem.
What are you doing to "take a stand"? Is whining about it on a web forum considered "taking a stand"?
Most honest people agree that holdbacks are unfair. Most would also agree that it is not likely to change in the near future. The question you need to ask yourself is what do you do about it? Will complaining about it on BOTC will affect change? Will complaining about it in front of your kid will make them a better player or better prepare them for unfair situations in the real world?[/quote]
Yes, complaining here may help, particularly if the abusers are listed. Are we going to have 13 year olds playing in a 5th grade division? If the clubs will not self-regulate, they need pressure to get it right. One thing you cannot do is hide your head in the sand and not acknowledge the problem. Yes, I will tell my kid to fight through it, but I will not be silent for an unfair advantage and then try to bully everyone and calling them whiners. Why don't you man up and see if your kid can compete on age, and if he cannot make it, try golf.
