Should I throw the game?

[CPA]

Background:

I coach a 1st and 2nd grade flag football team.

My team:
We are 6-0 and in first place going into our final regular season game.
We have 1st place locked up for playoffs (no wild card game necessary for us)
We have scored 134 points.
We have given up 65 points.
I have arguably the best player in the division, if not the top 2 players.

This week's opponent:
They are 0-6.
They have not won a game in two years (combined 0-14).
They have scored 12 points this year. They have scored 18 points total in two years.
They have given up 120 points this year.
They lost their top player last year to guess who - my team (he is one of my top 2 mentioned above).


So anyway, this past Saturday the team we play next weekend was finishing their game right before we started ours (all teams use the same field). The head coach comes up to me as they're clearing the field and we are getting our stuff ready for our game. He begins by explaining their woes on the field, which I am quit aware of. He doesn't ask that we lie down and lose, but requests that we take it easy on his team. I mention to him that I had already discussed with my assistants that we get some other "less talented" boys involved in running the ball and such and our plans were not to steamroll him. His assistant comes up and tells me "look you guys aren't going to lose. we just want the boys to have fun." I reiterate that we weren't coming out to humiliate anyone and will get all of our boys involved.

But now after thinking about it for a couple of days would it hurt to actually lay back and let the other team win? I'm usually don't think like that, but we've already wrapped up top seed for the playoffs and a loss may do my kids good going into the playoffs (practices have been getting sloppy and the boys have been taking it for granted that we will win). On the other hand, even if I put in some of my less talented kids, seeing as I only have 16 boys to begin with, I will still have better talent on the field than his team. So now the question is how do I get a bunch of 6-7 year old boys to understand to take it easy on another team without it looking blatant.

When I was a kid, I played on a team that didn't win in two years, so I kind of know how the other team is feeling.

So, should I throw the game or just let the game take it's course and go 7-0 going into the playoffs?


EDIT: I should mention all players play at least 12 plays, but because I only have 16 players (some teams have 20+), all of my kids play at least 20 plays. I have to have at least 6 kids go both ways.

 

[Beattie]

Dont outright let them win. But let some of your second string or whatever play more.

 

[BAMAVOO]

Get out to a big lead and then rest the players. There is no reason to cause your team to suffer just because the other team sucks.

Our coach actually asked us to strike out on purpose for several innings of a baseball game when we were in 8-9-10 baseball. It was much better than asking us to lose.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Let the benchwarmers get some playtime.

- M4H

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: Beattie
Dont outright let them win. But let some of your second string or whatever play more.

I agree. Play your worst players and if you win, well that's fine, it gives your backup players some pride and fun. If you lose, then oh well, the other team feels great and your team knows you could have won if you played your starters.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Beattie
Dont outright let them win. But let some of your second string or whatever play more.

I agree. That way they don't get stomped and some guys on your team get field time that might not otherwise.

 

[GoffyDude]

Don't throw the game...that's an insult to your players, their parents, and your team as a whole.
It's not your team's fault that they're so good. Let them enjoy it!

You're only 7 once!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It's a laudable instinct, but my gut tells me that your team is too young to understand why this would be a good thing to do, and you will alienate them whether or not you let them know you're throwing the game.

Putting in weaker players makes sense, and will be easy to explain to the kids. If they lose, they lose. Any deliberate acts to throw the game by telling them not to play hard, or intentionally calling stupid, inadvisable plays, will come back to bite you IMO.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

your backup players will definitely appreciate more playing time. at that age, there is no reason to be overly competitive.

 

[PingSpike]

Beat them as badly as you possibly can. And then throw it in their face.

 

[NakaNaka]

Yeah I agree as well. Just play your backups. Talk to the 2 best players before the game, telling them you arent benching them because they are bad but because you guys have the playoffs wrapped up and you want to get everyone involved and that they will play the normal amount next game. But give them a little time as they are in first/second grade.

Do you guys run any passing plays in first/second grade flag football? How does blocking and such work?

 

[MisterJackson]

Sounds like it's time to lay down some bets with this insider info. The odds on the other team would pay out the a$$!

 

[Saulbadguy]

Prepare for it like it was a normal game, and play like its a normal game. I don't see why you would even think of throwing a game.

 

[spidey07]

I don't think throwing a game is ever right. We compete for a reason.

But then again, going easy on them would be a great idea. Who knows? Maybe they will beat your team and you'll have a win-win. Lesser players get some field time and the other team gets a win.

Just make sure it doens't mess with taking the championship!

 

[geecee]

It's not fair to your own team to tell them to tank it. Play your second string and let the game go where it goes. If you really want to take it easy on them, play your least aggressive players.

BTW, I went to school where the football team didn't win for over four years. I wasn't there for all four of the years though. I wasn't scarred. Then again, I wasn't on the football team.

 

[Schadenfreude]

Lose. Don't let your little bastards get arrogant.

 

[Tiamat]

As above mentioned, use your less experienced players. This will give them a huge boost in confidence and give them experience that they wouldnt have had.

 

[SunnyD]

It's the same thing that the pro's do when they have their division all locked up... you rest your first string players, especially those that might be injured easily and let the second string get some time. Whatever you do, do not intentionally throw the game. In doing that, you'll disappoint your team, and especially the parents that respect you. You'll lose your integrity as a coach.

 

[wfbberzerker]

lose. but dont make it obvious.

 

[DainBramaged]

No, but rest your better players more often to allow the other team some chance.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: NakaNaka
Yeah I agree as well. Just play your backups. Talk to the 2 best players before the game, telling them you arent benching them because they are bad but because you guys have the playoffs wrapped up and you want to get everyone involved and that they will play the normal amount next game. But give them a little time as they are in first/second grade.

Do you guys run any passing plays in first/second grade flag football? How does blocking and such work?

I like to call it real football without the pads (though, for some odd reason the league requires knee, hip and thigh pads). We run out of 7 different formations and have over 30 plays, 12 of which are passes.

Blocking is like you would expect it, except nothing below the waste and no crack-back blocking. Tackling involves pulling one of two flags off of the ball carrier, though with 6-7 year olds there is a lot of collisions because they aren't always coordinated enough or quick enough to get in the right spot.

 

[TuxDave]

Tell your players that you have 1st place locked up and the 'real professional teams' they usually use this chance to let the new players get out and practice. That includes any player who wants to try a new role etc....

Oh and make sure that you let them know that if you win, great. If you lose, it's still great because you're still 1st place AND you guys are now more experienced and overall a better team.

 

[Chaotic42]

It's not fair to your players in my opinion.

 

[SoylentGreen]

Aww poor little 0-6 pussies.

I say steamroll them since you were asked.

 

[geno]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Let the benchwarmers get some playtime.

- M4H

Yeah, it'll make some of the kids on your team feel better as well.