Making the Team

Written by Denise Montpetit (inspired by a Life Teen Skit)

Duration: Approx.5 minutes

Characters:

• Coach
• Billy (football player 1)
• Joey (football player 2)
• Michael (football player 3)

Props:

The scene is set to look like a coach’s office.

• Office set (desk, two chairs, sports equipment, sports water bottle, cup of coffee, etc.)
• Coach- polo shirt, ball cap, a whistle around his neck, holds a clipboard and pen
• Billy - football jersey, football
• Joey - dress shirt and tie, sports bag, notebook
• Michael - t-shirt, jeans, ball cap

Intro: Coach is sitting behind the desk looking at his clipboard. Billy knocks at the door.

Coach: Yes? 

Billy: Almost instantly, a young football player (Billy) comes through the door. He is all pumped up, tossing a football to and fro, is overly enthusiastic and practically sprints to the chair facing the desk. He grabs the coach’s hand, shaking it up and down wildly. Thanks for seeing me, coach! I’m glad to be here! I know I’ll make the team. I think this year is going to be great. I think you’ll enjoy having me on your team. I’ll be your number one quarterback. I won’t let you down.

Coach: Billy, can you tell me... 

Billy: (interrupts) How much I weigh? 170 lbs. But, of course, I plan on bulking up this year! I’ve been working out and lifting weights, see? (shows muscles) I can make things happen for you! 

Coach: Ok. But, what I really need... 

Billy: Trust me, I know what you need! You need leadership, right? I got it. I’m here to make a name for myself, to rise to the top, to be the best!

Coach: But, what I’m looking for...

Billy: Trust me. I’m what you’re looking for! I’ll be your #1 player. You won’t even know the other players are there.

Coach: But...

Billy: No buts about it! Don’t worry coach. Slaps the coach on the back. I gotta run and head back to the gym. Runs off scene.

Coach: Sits at his desk shaking his head and places his hands on his forehead. After a significant pause, he grabs his pen/marker and crosses out a name on his clipboard. Another loud knock at the door.

Joey: Walks in, dressed in a dress suit and tie, carrying a sports bag and notebook. He goes to the coach’s desk and slaps his own notebook on the coach’s desk.

Coach: What’s this?

Joey: It’s MY Game Plan! I was thinking about some of the things you said to us today at practice and I’m not so sure I “dig” some of the game plans. I thought I’d change things up a bit, so I came up with some of my own plans... 

Coach: OH, really... 

Joey: Trust me! I’ve got it all figured out, how our team is going to win the championship... according to my game plan, of course. Now, let me show you what I can do for our team! Shows coach the plays on the notebook. Check these plays out, coach. Flips another page. Oh, and this is the best one yet!

Coach: Those are good ideas Joey, but I think we should stick to the original game plan...

Joey: But coach, I think you’re missing the point. (offended and upset) Fine! Have it your way! Say no more! I’m out of here! Grabs his notebook and storms from the room.

Coach: Coach sighs, takes a deep breath and looks up to the heavens. Crosses out another name on his clipboard. A moment later another knock at the door. Come in!

Micheal: A calm, young guy walks in, dressed in a t-shirt and ball cap. Hi coach. He walks over to the desk and sits down in the chair, takes off his ball cap and waits for the coach to say something.

Coach: Hi Michael. You played really well at practice today.

Micheal: Thanks coach. I’m pretty nervous, since this is my first time trying out for the team. (pause) 

Coach: So, what can I do for you, Michael? 

Michael: Well, actually coach, I was going to ask you,“What can I do for you?”

Coach: (in a surprised voice) Excuse me? 

Michael: (sincerely) What do you want me to do to help make our team a winning team? I’m here to work hard! Whatever it is, that’s what I’ll do and I’ll do my very best to play by the rules. You’re in charge. You’re the coach. You’re the pro. I want to follow your game plan. You know what’s best for me and the whole team. 

Coach: Coach puts down his clipboard with a smile. You’re IN!

Michael: (confused) I’m in? What do you mean, coach?

Coach: Michael, you made the Team!

Michael: Really! Cool!

Coach: Michael, I’m looking for guys who are team players, hard working, committed and most importantly, I want players who are willing to follow my game plan. I have exciting plans for you and this team.

Michael: Cool! High-five, coach! Gives a high-five to the coach and runs off cheering. Throws his ball cap in the air in excitement!

Coach: Looks up to heaven and gives two thumbs up!

THE END