As
a Responsible Sports Parents it is important
for you to be able to communicate positively
with your child's coach. Working
together will ensure a better sports
experience for all parties. Here
are 6 tools to help you communicate with
your child's coach.
Recognize the Coach's Commitment
Coaches
commit many, many hours of preparation
beyond the hours spent at practices and
games. Recognize that they do not do it
for the pay! Try to remember this whenever
something goes awry during the season.
Make Early, Positive Contact with
the Coach
As
soon as you know who your child's coach
is going to be, introduce yourself, let
him or her know you want to help your child
have the best possible experience, and
offer to assist the coach in any way you
are qualified. Meeting the coach early
and establishing a positive relationship
will make conversation easier if a problem
arises during the season.
Fill the Coach's Emotional Tank
When
coaches are doing something you like, let
them know about it. Coaching is a stressful
job, and most coaches only hear from parents
when they have a complaint. A coach with
a full Emotional Tank will do a better
job.
Don't Instruct During a Game or Practice
Your
child is trying to concentrate amongst
the chaotic action of a game and do what the coach asks. A parent yelling
out instructions hardly ever helps. More
often than not, it confuses the child,
adds pressure and goes against the coaches'
instruction, which undermines the player-coach
relationship, the player-parent relationship
and the parent-coach relationship.
Don't Put the Player in the Middle
When
parents share their disapproval of a coach
with their children, it puts the children
in a bind. Divided loyalties hinder people.
Conversely, when parents support a coach,
it is easier for children to put forth
maximum effort. If you think your child's
coach is mishandling a situation well, do not tell your child. Just take it up
with the coach.
Observe a "Cooling Off" Period
Wait
to talk to the coach about something you
are upset about for at least 24 hours.
Emotions can get so hot that it's much
more productive to wait a day before contacting
the coach. This also gives you time to
consider exactly what to say.
