sjs0433 15 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I've been made captain by not much more than dumb luck and someone had to be. Other than one other guy I'm the most veteran to our team. The team has been mostly the same for the last year. I have a few guys that I'd like to drop from the team as we seem to be stuck in terms of making any farther in playoffs or growing as a team. These are guys that don't seem to be getting any better and will likely always be stuck at their current skill level (I also don't feel like these players have any desire to be better).I've been trying to figure out how to remove these players without being an a-hole. They are all nice guys but I'd like to see us be a better team. Any recommendations speaking from experience? Btw, this is for roller hockey and a typical roster is only 8 guys. One or two players can make a HUGE difference for the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HDHockey 19 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 I have been in this spot and I think you just need to be honest with them. I had this issue last year with 2 guys (brothers to make it worse) and 1 will probably never talk to me again, the other he understood and still skates with us when we have rentals or things like that. There is no good way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McDugan 89 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Considering that you say they are nice guys and the team has only been "mostly the same" for a year, I don't think it would be fair for you to do this without giving them a shot on the team with you as captain for one season. if everyone gets along and enjoys playing together, I don't really see why a team team needs to change. You're a rec league captain, not a GM, you know? Maybe talk to them and ask if they would rather play down a level or have interest in pushing further before just cutting them.Maybe I could see it being OK if it's a situation where the entire rest of the team identifies these two guys as "the problem" or they're not well-liked. But even then though, if that's your first action as captain, it doesn't set a good tone. If I were one of the guys remaining on the team and you cut these two without consulting everyone (and even that is questionable because it requires going behind guys' backs) I'd feel weird about the possibility of me being next. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HDHockey 19 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 yeah I agree with McDugan, in my case these guys played on the team for years and it was not just their play that got them asked not to come back. Maybe since you are a new captain to the team, you should express your interest in bettering the team, and that everyone has to step it up for the team to improve. Maybe this will make them change their play, but maybe their attitude (since you said you didn't think they wanted to get better). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnyo 5 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 If you can find a team for the guys you want to drop who will take the players that should help. No one wants to be stuck with no place to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bunnyman666 445 Report post Posted July 30, 2014 Unfortunately, you will be seen as an a-hole trying to remove them. For most people,rec league is SUPPOSED to be fun. Either do it not, but you will not be seen as a nice guy if you're cutting these guys, plain and simple. When you are asked to leave something, it will be taken as personal as it personally affects the people in question. I am not trying to be harsh here.The question is this: how important is winning to you? If winning is more important than not being seen as an a-hole, detach yourself and kick off those team members. Tell them that it's team-first and wish them luck with their next team. 9/10 people who have been cut take it personally to some degree unless they knew that they were WAAAAAAAAAY out of their element, then they are relieved. Just be prepared for the possibility that they may get on a team in your league and be SUPER motivated to school you and your team when they play against you.Again-not trying to come off as harsh; just speaking from experience. I have schooled every team or band I was kicked off/out of and actually use those experiences to better myself, albeit with a HUGE chip on my shoulder. You may ignite a fire...If you can find a team for the guys you want to drop who will take the players that should help. No one wants to be stuck with no place to play.That would go a far way to not as many hard feelings. Good idea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IPv6Freely 2092 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 In my opinion, unless the team should be moving up (in which case, you should do so and leave them behind - a situation I'm very familiar with), or unless they should be moving down a division, I don't think it's right for them to be cut if they're playing in the correct division for their skill level. That would mean the problem is YOU (the team), not THEM. Hopefully that makes sense as well as it did in my head :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bunnyman666 445 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 In my opinion, unless the team should be moving up (in which case, you should do so and leave them behind - a situation I'm very familiar with), or unless they should be moving down a division, I don't think it's right for them to be cut if they're playing in the correct division for their skill level. That would mean the problem is YOU (the team), not THEM. Hopefully that makes sense as well as it did in my head :)I understand- cut the slackers IF and only IF you are moving up.The thing is, as harsh as I sounded in my original response, the only way to weed out the slackers is to move up; they would be relieved most likely being cut in a situation of moving up a division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawkeye 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Find a day of the week that doesn't work for them and then try to scheudle your games next season for those days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MatthewRoach7 130 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 Wow that would be a total dick move to try and find a day of the week that does not work for them. Man up and talk with them don't do some pussy shit like that. I would be all for giving them one more shot with you as new leadership. Maybe they have a problem playing hard for the old capt and will play harder for you. Also if you do decide to cut them I would be damn sure that it was just them that was holding the team back and not anything else that could back fire on you. Whatever you decide to do, do it with honesty and integrity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beerleaguecaptain 999 Report post Posted July 31, 2014 I've been running my team with another friend for about 14 years. We never cut a guy because of ability. This is beer league hockey and friendship is more important. If the team gets btter by attrition and moves up a level guys that are having trouble usually leave on their own. Don't be "that guy." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stewie 721 Report post Posted August 1, 2014 I play on a team with mixed talent levels. It can definitely work out, as long as your not an ass about it, but if this isn't the situation you want, If you want a more "competitive" mens league team, then just let them know up front. don't jerk someone around, find ways out. In the end we are all men, act like one.As for me, I enjoy the company and guys on this team. I could move up a talent level, but I am not guaranteed a group of guys as good as this, so I try to make everyone around me better.There are 6 other days a week to join a more "competitive" team, but on Sundays im just lookin to have fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hawkeye 0 Report post Posted August 1, 2014 Wow that would be a total dick move to try and find a day of the week that does not work for them. Man up and talk with them don't do some pussy shit like that. I would be all for giving them one more shot with you as new leadership. Maybe they have a problem playing hard for the old capt and will play harder for you. Also if you do decide to cut them I would be damn sure that it was just them that was holding the team back and not anything else that could back fire on you. Whatever you decide to do, do it with honesty and integrity.That's what happened to me. The captain went around the room asking what days would be a conflict (knowing Tuesdays I had my other teams games) and then he scheduled their games on Tuesdays.I joined another team in that league and we smoke those guys with regularity :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
x-axis 44 Report post Posted August 1, 2014 Open and honest communication. Tell them what you AND it must be the entire team are trying to do. If they see they aren't fitting into this plan or have no plan on improving, it should be their decision to leave. They normally make that decision any way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MN old and slow 92 Report post Posted August 1, 2014 You must be playing for the cup or a ton of cash to cut guys in beer hockey. If they are nice and class guys keep them even if they cannot skate. Any thing else is a stupid move. Never cut but okay to bring In a ringer on occasion! Have fun, pass da puck, take the short shifts, beer on your turn. Invite all to the annual fishing trip. Good karma will come your way.Are you guys really that good anyway? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrangler 157 Report post Posted August 2, 2014 Ringers suck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MN old and slow 92 Report post Posted August 2, 2014 Depends on the ringer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zylos45 118 Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Be careful picking the cut player's replacements...they may end up being the capt. cutting you someday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chadd 916 Report post Posted August 3, 2014 Depends on the ringer!Only the ones on the other team, the ones on your team are OK in most cases. I've been running my team with another friend for about 14 years. We never cut a guy because of ability. This is beer league hockey and friendship is more important. If the team gets btter by attrition and moves up a level guys that are having trouble usually leave on their own. Don't be "that guy."That is my philosophy as well. The only time we have ever cut anyone was when the majority of the team complained about his personality/behavior. About half of us left my first beer league team and set up a new team, that was as close as we ever got to cutting multiple people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SirJW 207 Report post Posted August 3, 2014 You can tell than that you have a few previous players returning and there isn't enough room for everyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrangler 157 Report post Posted August 4, 2014 Ringers suck.Depends on the ringer!OK, using ringers sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jason Harris 31 Report post Posted August 5, 2014 Tell 'em, "It's not you. It's us......" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chippa13 1844 Report post Posted August 6, 2014 "I think we should skate with other people" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zjack38 46 Report post Posted August 7, 2014 Hahahahahahahahahaha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apes44 7 Report post Posted August 13, 2014 Wow that would be a total dick move to try and find a day of the week that does not work for them. Man up and talk with them don't do some pussy shit like that. I would be all for giving them one more shot with you as new leadership. Maybe they have a problem playing hard for the old capt and will play harder for you. Also if you do decide to cut them I would be damn sure that it was just them that was holding the team back and not anything else that could back fire on you. Whatever you decide to do, do it with honesty and integrity.Depends on the rest of the team... If one day works well for everyones schedule except one guy, why punish the rest of the team for the one guys needs? It sucks having to "cut" people Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
