Anonymous
Years ago
Any thoughts on how to tackle the issue of a player who is overweight at junior level? Kid can play but is clearly being hampered by not being on the best possible condition.
It's a tough one, I'd consider having a discussion in private after training with parents and child, discuss and acknowledge ability skill as major positive, ask child where their aspirations lay in regards to basketball - you'll know what commitment level is. zero commitment = time/effort to win over.
If committed paint a vision of what you believe the kid can achieve with improved fitness it's important the kid and parents see the vision and it's benefits, discuss athletic ability and how you will help achieve the end result through small goals.
Actual Quote to a 12 yo girl by a person who shall remain nameless:
"you're a bit fat. If you lost some weight you would be a great basketballer"
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Years ago
leave it right alone. Parents issue.
Encourage healthy activities to the group.
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Years ago
just to elaborate - what level of player ? div 1 of div 5 ?
that would also influence how i went about it - and the age and whether male / female.
The Situation
Years ago
Look! That kids got bosoms! Who's got a wet towel?
Ballin Fan
Years ago
Appearances can be deceptive.
BJ Anthony for the 36ers looks slightly overweight, but clearly gets it done.
Use performance metrics in training, and sub in matches according to effort on the court.
At training, if everyone is under 30 secs for a full court suicide, but he/she 45 secs then point out to him that deficiency as a performance area that needs improvement. In matches if he/she is the last person in transition 3 times in a row, then just make the sub. Let me player know that way.
Playing 4 on 5 is not fair to the teammates but also hurts that players self esteem as they know they are hurting the team.
Player is a female. 14-15 year old. Has some great skill sets to work with but is clearly hampered by her lack of conditioning. Looking to play VC so needs to be able to handle the tempo.
If it's a player striving to play at the elite level then it needs to be addressed. However, be subtle.
Would you suggest to your wife/girlfriend she needs to loose weight being so blunt? I wouldn't, be careful with Women.
Ask questions. IE How do you find your level fitness? What do you think you could do to improve your fitness levels? Guide, ask questions, inspire don't use negativity. Focus on the process of gaining fitness not the outcome (loosing weight).
Get a professional physiologist in to do skinfolds. Encourage improvement against previous skinfolds.
More importantly does the Child want to play in the high levels. If there is enough drive and determination there, there would also be a way to put a plan into action of what would be needed to get to 'THEIR GOALS'.. Weight and fitness would be just some of the issues to discuss one would think..
I think someone needs to raise the issue of weight with more than a few coaches as well. Telling your div1 player to lose weight when you can't even see your dick any more
PlaymakerMo
Years ago
Weight isn't the issue you tackle: if the kid's weight problems are affecting aspects of their game e.g. fitness, then as part of your player evaluation you would address their fitness as an area for improvement.
Proud
Years ago
Does she use her bulk to her advantage or is it all out hindrance ?
It sounds like maybe teaching her or helping her use her body to fill the lane etc and maybe that could help influence her game ?
Does the kid meet performance standards? If not that can be a catalyst for discussion.
What standards do you set as a coach? The amount of over weight unhealthy coaches i see is ridiculous, how do you involve yourself in drills if you're out of breath rebounding for a kid?
Set a health standard yourself before demanding them of your players, don't be a hypocrite.
Also women can play very effectively carrying a bit of weight, Gabe Richards anyone?
Bear
Years ago
'It isn't so much what you have, it is how you use it. It isn't what you do, it is how you do it and it isn't what you say it is how others perceive it to be.'
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