Difficult person in clinic

[Klaus]

I know this is not a league issue, but it seemed the best place to post it.

I am in an Intermediate II clinic, for what it's worth, and one of the other participants is making it difficult to enjoy the experience. He is 27, and has played lots of pick-up basketball I am told. During our clinic, he runs wild on the court, hitting balls while jumping, spinning in the air and hitting with such force, people often run for cover. Sadly, most of his balls go into the net, out of the court, or into the fence. Occasionally, he will hit a great winner, and when he calms down, can at least get the ball over the net. He often slips and falls on court, in efforts to return balls, and nearly hits the fence sliding on his stomach to get wide balls.

He has a habit of screaming as I and others are about to hit the ball. I asked him not to do that and he refused. He argues points with the pro, when he or his team is losing, which is often. He throws his racquet in the air (30 feet or more), and last week, it nearly hit me and another player who were chatting during a break. He will often talk "trash" to other players, goading them during difficult points. When anyone asks the pro a question about rules or points, he will answer for him.

The pro has talked to him before about his behaviour, and it has helped to some degree, but it is difficult to change someone's personality, and I am sick of being the villain and parenting him during the class. Plenty of people complain about him, but no one but me says anything to him. I also feel that he puts other players in danger by throwing his racquet.

When I had a cough recently, he made the accusation that I was doing so to comment on his bad hitting, which I didn't even know was something that I could emply as commentary, and was not my motivation.

Whenever I approach him with criticism about his behaviour, he retaliates by trying to hit me with the ball during the next game, with a fair amount of anger. I almost always just step into the ball and return it, no problem, which makes him more enraged.

How do I handle this unpleasant person. What would you do?

 

[gameboy]

It is not your problem, it is the pros. I would handle it this way.

I would get rest of your class together and approach the pro in unison saying "it is either him or us". The pro will get the message and kick him out. I am sure pro is not having much fun with that guy either.

 

[HFS]

Ask the pro to return his money and send him on his way.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Where is this clinic? I gotta see this!!

 

[Topaz]

It is not your problem, it is the pros. I would handle it this way.

I would get rest of your class together and approach the pro in unison saying "it is either him or us". The pro will get the message and kick him out. I am sure pro is not having much fun with that guy either.

Yup, pretty much this...or find yourself a different clinic. When the pro asks why you left, you tell him why.

 

[nocab]

There's a guy similar to this in local clinics around my town. He screams and yells then gets mad at whoever is on his side of the court if they make a mistake. I've seen him set up for an overhead, let out a huge grunt then barely put any pace on the ball. If it's a winner he'll scream and go for a chest bump or high five to whoever is near but they aren't into it the same way he is.

I've spoken with a few people who don't attend the clinic anymore b/c they don't like getting screamed at for missing a volley during practice.

 

[Cindysphinx]

It is not your problem, it is the pros. I would handle it this way.

I would get rest of your class together and approach the pro in unison saying "it is either him or us". The pro will get the message and kick him out. I am sure pro is not having much fun with that guy either.

Or perhaps send the pro an e-mail and copy the other students. That way the pro has something concrete to show his boss in case the Problem Child complains to management.

The other students will then take you out for drinks for having the courage to handle things.

[edit: Oh, and the rest of you should book a private clinic with your pro. This will keep Insane Individuals out and also result in more continuity in the instruction you receive.]

 

[Klaus]

Good advice

Thanks for the feedback; a lot of good advice has been dispensed. There is administration that I can talk too, so I may do that as well.

Cindysphinx: I am a big fan of you and your posts, and would love to have someone like you in our clinic. I can only say that the clinic is somewhere between San Francisco and the Mexican border.

This idiot never signs up for a particular clinic, but drops in often in different clinics. I used to attend another night, switched nights and there he was again. He takes privates from the pro--so I sense an unequivocal level of diplomacy on the pro's part which I can understand.

Also there are cultural considerations since this player is from another country, and is sometimes unintelligible through broken english.

Good lord, life is tough sometimes when it should be fun , no?

Thanks folks!

 

[Xisbum]

I can only say that the clinic is somewhere between San Francisco and the Mexican border.

You know, this clinic is starting to look pretty good, considering the weather changes on the horizon. We should all take a sabbatical and join our California friend.

 

[Flyingpanda]

You prob don't want to come to California to play for a few days. A storm just hit lol.

 

[nickarnold2000]

Thanks for the feedback; a lot of good advice has been dispensed. There is administration that I can talk too, so I may do that as well.

Cindysphinx: I am a big fan of you and your posts, and would love to have someone like you in our clinic. I can only say that the clinic is somewhere between San Francisco and the Mexican border.

This idiot never signs up for a particular clinic, but drops in often in different clinics. I used to attend another night, switched nights and there he was again. He takes privates from the pro--so I sense an unequivocal level of diplomacy on the pro's part which I can understand.

Also there are cultural considerations since this player is from another country, and is sometimes unintelligible through broken english.

Good lord, life is tough sometimes when it should be fun , no?

Thanks folks!

Well, that narrows down the location! If he's having problems on the court then it's very possible he's also having difficulty in other areas of his life ie. at work so, you'll actually be helping him with his inappropriate behavior by dealing with it now.
PS I live in Asia and I quickly learned about cultural differences and what was ok and what wasn't.

 

[Cindysphinx]

You know, this clinic is starting to look pretty good, considering the weather changes on the horizon. We should all take a sabbatical and join our California friend.

I know!

Come on, Xisbum. Let's catch a flight west and see if we can get a 2-for-1 discount on this clinic. I think I can sell the idea to management: "Come on! Between us we only have two good knees."

To OP, yeah, the private clinic idea is definitely the way to go here if this guy keeps popping up in different clinics.

Or perhaps you'll have to have a look at the sign-up sheet to make sure the guy isn't in the clinic before you join.

And it sounds like you might have to cut your pro some slack. He probably has tried to speak to the guy and perhaps wasn't understood.

 

[sureshs]

That guy is Gael Monfils

 

[SuperDuy]

Haha lmao!^

 

[SFrazeur]

You need to complain to the pro. If he is unresponsive then speak with the director of the facility.

-SF

 

[Bud]

Where is this clinic? I gotta see this!!

Lol!

I was thinking the same thing

 

[Bud]

I know this is not a league issue, but it seemed the best place to post it.

I am in an Intermediate II clinic, for what it's worth, and one of the other participants is making it difficult to enjoy the experience. He is 27, and has played lots of pick-up basketball I am told. During our clinic, he runs wild on the court, hitting balls while jumping, spinning in the air and hitting with such force, people often run for cover. Sadly, most of his balls go into the net, out of the court, or into the fence. Occasionally, he will hit a great winner, and when he calms down, can at least get the ball over the net. He often slips and falls on court, in efforts to return balls, and nearly hits the fence sliding on his stomach to get wide balls.

He has a habit of screaming as I and others are about to hit the ball. I asked him not to do that and he refused. He argues points with the pro, when he or his team is losing, which is often. He throws his racquet in the air (30 feet or more), and last week, it nearly hit me and another player who were chatting during a break. He will often talk "trash" to other players, goading them during difficult points. When anyone asks the pro a question about rules or points, he will answer for him.

The pro has talked to him before about his behaviour, and it has helped to some degree, but it is difficult to change someone's personality, and I am sick of being the villain and parenting him during the class. Plenty of people complain about him, but no one but me says anything to him. I also feel that he puts other players in danger by throwing his racquet.

When I had a cough recently, he made the accusation that I was doing so to comment on his bad hitting, which I didn't even know was something that I could emply as commentary, and was not my motivation.

Whenever I approach him with criticism about his behaviour, he retaliates by trying to hit me with the ball during the next game, with a fair amount of anger. I almost always just step into the ball and return it, no problem, which makes him more enraged.

How do I handle this unpleasant person. What would you do?

There's a guy similar to this in local clinics around my town. He screams and yells then gets mad at whoever is on his side of the court if they make a mistake. I've seen him set up for an overhead, let out a huge grunt then barely put any pace on the ball. If it's a winner he'll scream and go for a chest bump or high five to whoever is near but they aren't into it the same way he is.

I've spoken with a few people who don't attend the clinic anymore b/c they don't like getting screamed at for missing a volley during practice.

Just curious... how old are these two jackasses in you clinics?

 

[Bud]

Thanks for the feedback; a lot of good advice has been dispensed. There is administration that I can talk too, so I may do that as well.

Cindysphinx: I am a big fan of you and your posts, and would love to have someone like you in our clinic. I can only say that the clinic is somewhere between San Francisco and the Mexican border.

San Diego??

 

[Bud]

You prob don't want to come to California to play for a few days. A storm just hit lol.

Southern CA (south of LA) only received a trace of rainfall :-?

 

[Xisbum]

I know!

Come on, Xisbum. Let's catch a flight west and see if we can get a 2-for-1 discount on this clinic. I think I can sell the idea to management: "Come on! Between us we only have two good knees."

A quick look outside my window convinced me that this is, indeed, an excellent idea. Let's go.

 

[drakulie]

How do I handle this unpleasant person. What would you do?

Quit the clinic.

If the pro approves of this behavior and tolerates it, there is no reason you should.

 

[JoelDali]

Pull a Nancy Kerrigan on him in the parking lot.

 

[longst]

You need to complain to the pro. If he is unresponsive then speak with the director of the facility.

-SF

I think thats the best advice. If that fails call the cops.

 

[Klaus]

Update

I sent an e-mail to the pro telling him that I would file a complaint about the idiot with administration if thois idiot's behavior persisted. The pro agreed, and said he would take care of it.

The idiot in my clinic is 27 or 28 I believe, but has the mentality of a 16-year old, even in just every day issues and life in general. He works for a bank, and has boasted that he's perused other clinic players financial records at his bank.

When my eye got smashed (see "Hit hard in the Eye with Ball thread) last week in our clinic, this idiot claimed that I left early because he was there, so I think he's also a bit mental.

In any case, I will have to wait and see if the pro is able to handle this, which I think he can.

San Diego? San Francisco, San Luis Obispo? Who knows? It could be anywhere!

 

[Power Player]

Please try and take cell phone vid of this guy if it all possible. A healthy laugh is always a nice thing.

 

[longst]

Please try and take cell phone vid of this guy if it all possible. A healthy laugh is always a nice thing.

That would be hilarious!!:lol:

 

[LuckyR]

Unstable, foriegn, 27 year old, pick up BBaller? I would never confront this loser. Get together with the other students and approach the management of the club and lay your cards on the table and let the professionals deal with the F*ck up.

 

[MayDay]

"...has boasted that he's perused other clinic players financial records at his bank."

Isn't that illegal? You could get him fired.... :twisted:

 

[NickC]

I know this is not a league issue, but it seemed the best place to post it.

I am in an Intermediate II clinic, for what it's worth, and one of the other participants is making it difficult to enjoy the experience. He is 27, and has played lots of pick-up basketball I am told. During our clinic, he runs wild on the court, hitting balls while jumping, spinning in the air and hitting with such force, people often run for cover. Sadly, most of his balls go into the net, out of the court, or into the fence. Occasionally, he will hit a great winner, and when he calms down, can at least get the ball over the net. He often slips and falls on court, in efforts to return balls, and nearly hits the fence sliding on his stomach to get wide balls.

He has a habit of screaming as I and others are about to hit the ball. I asked him not to do that and he refused. He argues points with the pro, when he or his team is losing, which is often. He throws his racquet in the air (30 feet or more), and last week, it nearly hit me and another player who were chatting during a break. He will often talk "trash" to other players, goading them during difficult points. When anyone asks the pro a question about rules or points, he will answer for him.

The pro has talked to him before about his behaviour, and it has helped to some degree, but it is difficult to change someone's personality, and I am sick of being the villain and parenting him during the class. Plenty of people complain about him, but no one but me says anything to him. I also feel that he puts other players in danger by throwing his racquet.

When I had a cough recently, he made the accusation that I was doing so to comment on his bad hitting, which I didn't even know was something that I could emply as commentary, and was not my motivation.

Whenever I approach him with criticism about his behaviour, he retaliates by trying to hit me with the ball during the next game, with a fair amount of anger. I almost always just step into the ball and return it, no problem, which makes him more enraged.

How do I handle this unpleasant person. What would you do?

Well, if he thinks he's tough sh*t, find the closest top-100 nationally ranked Boys 18s player in your area, bring him in, and strike a deal. If the guy wins a game, he can do as he pleases. If the kid feeds him breakfast by means of giving him two bagels, tell the guy to STFU and take his nonsensical bullcrap somewhere else.

 

[daveyboy]

There's a better way to do this:

Go to some of the other students, and see if you can get enough of them (2-3, 4 if you can) to tell the pro you want your money back. That is what speaks to a pro the most. When something threatens his income, he'll do what he can to change it. If you leave, and only you, then there's a message- and its quiet. If 3-4 people leave, it sends a much louder message. When the pro asks why, tell him the truth.

 

[callen3615]

Sounds like Michael Scott.

 

[Hominator]

Pull a Nancy Kerrigan on him in the parking lot.

Don't you mean a Tonya Harding? Pulling a Nancy Kerrigan would mean running up to him and crying "WHYYYY?!"

 

[investorofmercy]

I can only say that the clinic is somewhere between San Francisco and the Mexican border.

You will never solve this problem. Why so secretive about where it is? Why not just call god and say "God, i have a problem, somewhere on earth."

You don't even have the balls to say where you are, there is no way you ever confront this guy in a way to solve the problem.

-Jay , somewhere east of the Mississippi

 

[Cindysphinx]

So Klaus. How did it go? The suspense is killing me!!

 

[sureshs]

Complain to your pro and the club. Tell the pro to refund your money, or kick Gael Monfils out of the clinic. If he refuses, ask the club to fire the pro or refund your money. They will tell you to just quit the clinic. Do that, but by then you would have made your point and someone else will benefit in the future.

 

[Nellie]

There's a better way to do this:

Go to some of the other students, and see if you can get enough of them (2-3, 4 if you can) to tell the pro you want your money back. That is what speaks to a pro the most. When something threatens his income, he'll do what he can to change it. If you leave, and only you, then there's a message- and its quiet. If 3-4 people leave, it sends a much louder message. When the pro asks why, tell him the truth.

Actually, what you could do (if you like your pro) is to organize a private group with a couple of the other players. Pros love this because it is guaranteed money (no money for drills when no one comes). Then, no one else could drop in (unless one of you could not come and asked the crazy one to substitute).

 

[JoelDali]

Don't you mean a Tonya Harding? Pulling a Nancy Kerrigan would mean running up to him and crying "WHYYYY?!"

Ah, yes, please pull a Tonya Harding on this guy at once.

Tell him to stop looking at my trust fund balances.

 

[investorofmercy]

Tell us where you are...Street addy and all....we'll take care of this guy! lol

 

[Klaus]

Final update

As I predicted, this total idiot was not at clinic last night, nor will he ever be again. The pro told me he won't be returning. He is allowed to take private lessons, but no more clinics! I am very grateful and pleased, the clinic last night was excellent. Thanks for all the feedback and humor!

 

[Cindysphinx]

Good on you for standing up for yourself. It's a shame the pro didn't handle it of his own accord, but I'm glad it all worked out.

You get 100 Assertiveness points!