Coaching Corner: Communication between Coaches and Parents
With high school starting up again, here are a few tips for coaches and parents alike
By: Jeff Vennell, NSCAA Academy Staff Coach
The following information should be reviewed. While not required, coaches are encouraged to provide their team policies in writing.
- Introduction of Assistant Coaches and other key team leaders – Team Parent, Team Manager, etc.
- Coaching Philosophy.
- Practice and Contest Schedules.
- Inclement Weather Plans (where and when announcements of changes will be available).
- Criteria Used to Select the Team (team size; how cuts, if necessary, are made; extent of the tryout period)
- How Playing Time is Allocated (if there are league rules, provide them).
- Awards/Letters – Qualifications.
- Team Rules, Commitment/Expectations (time and effort required, and consequences).
- Travel Policies.
- Equipment - School and Individual.
- Athlete Commitment - Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol.
- High School Only
- Conflicts with Classes.
- Athletic Training Services, Injury Prevention, Injury Care.
Communication with the Coaching Staff - Expectations of Parents.
- If an athlete has a concern about playing time, team rules, etc., s/he should talk with their coach.
- If parents have a concern to discuss with a coach: Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a practice or contest. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach and meeting then often does not lead to a satisfactory resolution. Therefore, call the coach to set an appointment.
- Appropriate concerns for parents to discuss with coaches:
- Treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
- Concerns about your child’s behavior. - Issues not appropriate for parents to discuss with coaches:
- Playing time.
- Team strategy.
- Other team members.
Web Administrator Ken Gamble