Off the court frustration...

It is a challenging enough job to get a team of kids together to play as a team in a sport. There's a lot to do - learn the rules, teach the basic skills, teach strategy... Realistically, everything only comes together after the first few games, if that early. If you've hit your stride by the middle or end of the season, that's not so bad.

So what happens when the league you're playing in takes some liberties with the schedule and the format of the games. Liberties like, "it's always been a certain way, and now everything is totally different"... And not just before the season - during the season! First the games are 12 minutes, then they're 8, then they're 12 again, and now there's 4 and not 5. Wow.

This type of situation falls into those buckets where you may have to just throw your hands up. There are things you can control, things you cannot, and then things that just irritate you to no end. This could easily be either of the latter two, or both. Sometimes, league officials may be influenced, and see the light. Other times they will not. In these situations, it is difficult - but likely the best course of action is to roll with the flow as much as possible. Keep in mind, youth sports are about the kids, and having them learn and enjoy the sport in a positive way. It is not about parents, adults, or league officials getting their air time. As a coach, you can very much influence the tone of the practices and games which - despite what else may be happening - can mean all the difference.

I say all of this, and I hope I mean it...