my 13 yr old asked what to do about a teammate the other boys keep leaving out

quiet_compass_5398 Apr 2026

he plays in a weekend football group. one boy can't stand still in drills, wanders off mid instruction, talks over the coach. the other boys groan when he's put on their side and he's picked last for every game. the coach hasn't said anything my son wants to know if he should say something. i work with kids who struggle with attention all week, whether this boy is one of them i have no idea. and this is my son's group, not my classroom. the boy's parents aren't my business either how much do you let your kid step in for someone else at that age

1 comment

gentle_compass_3578 Apr 2026
That he brought it to you is the important part. At 13 most boys would just go along with the group. I'd be wary of him speaking to the coach on the other boy's behalf, but there's a lot he can do short of that: pass to him, pair up with him in drills, not laugh when the others do. That's within his control and doesn't put anyone on the spot.
- quiet_compass_5399 Apr 2026
  yes that's about where i landed. passing to him is something he can do this weekend. the coach part i haven't made up my mind on
- misty_tiffin_569 Apr 2026
  Replying to @quiet_compass_539
  In kabaddi also we had one boy like this in my son's team. Other boys never wanted him in the raid, always kept him for last. One day two of them told coach, let him raid, he is fast. After that the others also accepted him, because boys said it, not parents. Sometimes it goes better when the children say it.