team selection in KS1 football club

[friendly]

I was really surprised last week while watching my year 1 ds at football club that when it came to picking teams the coach chose two boys who then took it in turns to select from the remaining group. I watched with a lump in my throat as my little boy sat bolt upright waiting for one of the boys to pick him. He was fourth from last. I remember this being the practice when I was at school and hating it. It is a mixed aged club not run by the school. I mentioned it to his class teacher who said it wasn't how they operated in school and she'd mention it to the after-school coordinator. Am I being super sensitive? I just think it isn't the only way of picking teams and it's always going to be the same children left till last.

bump!

No I don't think you're being super sensitive. I remember hating that at school too (always one of the last, being small and not great at most sports!) But at least I was at secondary school when it happened. It must be a very insensitive coach to get little ones to choose like that, bound to make some very if they aren't picked till last. I think you did the right thing .

AFAIK my DS after-school coach always picks the teams and makes sure it varies.

During school playtimes my DS has always been football mad, and it was really sweet to see the year 2s encouraging him in reception. Now DS is in Y2, and he instituted a rule where "a goal doesn't count unless a reception has had a kick"

I think it's an astonishingly stupid and cruel way of doing things, and any adult who uses it should be tarred and feathered. Can you imagine the row there would be if it was used in academic subjects?

If I was in your position than I would be complaining very, very strongly indeed.

Both my boys go to a out of school football club and are now settled in teams (one in A team and one in B). When they were younger the teams were never selected like that. The coach always chose the teams and mixed them around each week. This way sounds like a popularity contest. I'd mention it to the coach..... although he might just pick your boy to do the choosing!

Thanks everyone. You begin to question your judgement sometimes. Apparently they always pick like that. I feel quite bad I'd never noticed before, I've got two ds's at the school. I feel more protective of ds2. He isn't as sporty as his brother and is small and wears glasses. Ds1 is very sporty and confident. As you say, Schilke it's just a popularity contest. How sweet of your ds, choccypig, I like that rule. When I told dh he remembered a boy at his school being the last one to be picked. He was then shunted from one team to the other because nobody wanted him on their team. How could a teacher let that happen? It makes me shudder.