Need some advice. My oldest son plays DE for the Freshman football team. Watching his games, I notice he isn’t playing with the fire he usually does, so I ask him what the problem is. He tells me his coaches cant make up their mind. Example: last night, his DL coach tells him to line up 5 technique and rush the passer…his DC tells him to line up 4 technique, read the block and play the run, so, he reads pass, lines up at the 5 and rushes outside. The team audibles and runs off tackle and scores. The DC then benches him for not listening to him. He explains that he was told something else by the line coach, but it doesn’t matter. As a result, he is playing half-heartedly and just bull-rushing every play and keeping it simple.
I thought about a few things. Do I contact the coaches and ask their advice on what I can talk to him about at home as a result of the confusion? Do I talk to the varsity coach (a very approachable guy that employs these coaches)? Do I let is go and see what happens? I’m not worried about his playing time, but when I see him lose the fire and passion for the game that he’s always had, it worries me and I want to help find a solution to it. As a coach, I’d prefer a parent come talk to me, but I know not all coaches are the same and I don’t want to make things harder for him. I guess this is more of a parental question than anything. What do you guys think?