Coaching: Cut Day

The first week of practice wasn't very taxing.

For me, at least. The kids were run ragged.

There was a ton of conditioning to see who would have the will to stick with wrestling, and who wouldn't survive the 'cut.'

Really, the cut was pretty simple: If the kids showed up, did what they were told, and did their best they made the team. If they disappeared, skipped multiple days, or didn't show up they didn't make it. Nobody showed enough attitude to be detrimental to the team and get the boot. Eight kids were cut in all.

Wrestling is a difficult sport and Coach Z pulled no punches. Over half of the new freshmen didn't show up for Day 2. They didn't last long enough to get their name on the roster to be cut.

After practice, Coach Z wanted to make it a point that every kid was spoken to and told if they made the team or not. We got off to a slow start, so the other Assistant Coach and I split off with a list of our own to help move things along.

Boy, kids treat you differently when you're a coach and not a teacher. Maybe it's the type of kid, or the fruit of discipline planted early. Or maybe it's the fact the kids want to be on the team and it's a choice.

When we were done, we met back up with Coach Z.

He was grilling a freshman.

"Listen, I don't want to hear excuses. You bring what you need to bring to practice. Fix it." He looked up and saw our approach. "I was going to cut you, but Coach C said he liked your work effort."

Of course, Coach C had said no such thing.

He went along with it, though.

When the kid walked off, Coach Z started cracking up. "You saved him, C!"

"And I didn't even know I did it," Coach C deadpanned.

I doubt the kid will ever know. The ploy could have backfired, but the wrestler showed up for practice with all of his stuff on Monday. Nothing was forgotten. Maybe it's the start of growing some grit.