ktb182 wrote:

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I think some of it may be the expectations are very high from parents etc. not just for the team to do well, but that the players themselves expect a lot from each other, one bad pass, one missed block, one set too low, and they are at each others throats.........These are girls preparing for college, most on full rides. Hence the ego...........

Boy, I don't know, ktb182. It sounds like you're excusing a bunch of bad behavior.... I know plenty of girls who are heading for college on full rides who don't exhibit any of the prima donna-ish attitudes that you describe. "Hence the ego?" "At each others throats?" Just because they're headed to college to play volleyball? Talk about having an oversized view of your own importance.

I said this before, and I'll repeat it: I think coaches and parents reap what they sow in this regard. If you tolerate bad attitudes, lousy work ethic, disrespect, etc., that is what you will get and what you probably deserve. Let's remember that these are still children that we are talking about, and our job as adults is not yet done.

Coaches and parents should insist that players respect the game by respecting each other, coaches and officials. Players need to be taught humility and good sportsmanship. You can have all of these qualities and still be a fierce competitor.

Earlier this year, I heard one of my players on the bench yelling at the team on the court about a bad play, and I walked right down to her and smiled and told her to never, ever do that again for as long as she plays the game. She smiled back at me and told me that she "got it."

Oh, yeah, that makes a lot of sense, and wouldn't that just make for some great team bonding.

Two brats give no effort in practice and show "utter disrespect" for the coaches, and your suggestion is to line up their teammates and have them run while the two brats watch.

And this will accomplish... ?

And you don't think the coaches should deal DIRECTLY with the problem athletes because... ?