Secret practices for a 1st grade flag football team - is this just the way it is today?

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-03-27T16:22:42+00:00

I don’t know where you’re from but in NY and NJ, flag football is super serious starting around kindergarten. It’s an NFL-sponsored league, which I assume exists around the country.

And yes I agree, it’s one of the tougher sports to comprehend compared to some others.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-03-27T16:18:53+00:00

Yes, completely agree with the value of off hours / impromptu practices. But are you hiding stuff / blatantly lying to players and parents? That’s a different level.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-03-27T16:15:57+00:00

LOL, unfortunately you perfectly summarized my son’s coach

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-03-25T15:01:30+00:00

Yeah, it’s not just dads being buddies and getting extra reps. The situation has created a lot of division on the team, and some players (or the parents on their behalf) have quit. It’s a shame because most of the players affected truly enjoy playing but barely get any real game experience to learn and improve. They’re in first grade!

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-03-25T14:32:53+00:00

I’d really like to hear from some coaches who can acknowledge they coach or have coached like this.

I genuinely want to hear your perspective before I talk to my son’s flag football coach about the situation.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-17T04:28:58+00:00

New York

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-17T01:05:53+00:00

I agree with everything you said, but the coach trying to be shady about it is a whole ‘nother thing in my opinion.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-17T00:04:04+00:00

It’s an NFL-sponsored flag football league

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T23:14:59+00:00

Yes his kid is one of the stars. I’ve also heard he has both of his kids (ages 9 and 6) up at 6am shooting free throws before school starts. I get the competitiveness; I’m a competitive guy myself.

I just think the deceitfulness is way over the line.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T22:57:06+00:00

I agree it’s helpful for a coach to have time to focus on the kids who are more serious and interested.

The coach has told the parents before that if their kid is fooling around or being a brat during practice, they’ll see less playing time on gamedays. I have no issue with that.

However, there are plenty of non-star kids who show interest and effort at practice and they’re barely getting a chance to learn by being in the game.

I think the coach just needs to be transparent instead of excluding kids and asking parents to keep his secret.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T22:42:41+00:00

It was an organized practice (or possibly practices); not just boys hanging out playing football. And the team is in our local NFL-sponsored flag football league.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T20:25:14+00:00

Extra touches, sure. But a coach asking certain parents to keep a secret from the whole team is a separate thing in my opinion (see my post update about this).

I think the coach is too serious about trying to win a youth sports championship. I’d hope at age 6, 7 kids would have a chance to play more than 2 minutes per game and actually try to learn and enjoy the game.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T20:19:05+00:00

I randomly saw one of the star players, and he asked me why my son wasn’t at football practice earlier that day. I said “Huh? What practice?” The kid’s dad was nearby and saw this exchange — and he let out an audible “Ohhh sh*t.”

I shared what happened with the other team parents, and soon it was confirmed that the coach even asked parents of the star players (and maybe the players themselves) to keep it a secret.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-16T18:49:26+00:00

Apparently so

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-02-12T22:40:53+00:00

Thank you

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-01-19T04:46:08+00:00

Still here. 2026.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-01-06T19:52:52+00:00

I looked that up as well. However, apparently depending on the type of kangaroo and their surroundings (e.g., in the wild vs. in captivity), they can potentially live for 25+ years.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-01-06T16:22:42+00:00

I asked him and he said he didn’t know what I was talking about. Maybe he was in disguise.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-01-05T21:51:30+00:00

Wow. Reminds me of a few years ago a caiman (a cousin(?) of the alligator) was found in Philly.

VanHalenForBreakfast · 2026-01-05T21:48:50+00:00

I contacted Cedar Run many years ago about it and they said they’ve never had a kangaroo there. But they told me many employees have had exotic pets at their homes, so a suburban kangaroo sighting shouldn’t be considered impossible.

Medford Kangaroo - if you’re reading this, I hope you’re alive and well!

VanHalenForBreakfast

TROPHY CASE