High School Parent/Coach Communication
Parent-Coach Relationship
Parenting and coaching are both extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide a greater benefit to children. As parents, when your child is involved in our program, you have the right to understand what expectations are placed on him/her. This begins with clear communication from the coach of the sport.
Communications You Should Expect From Your Child's Coach
- Philosophy of the coach.
- Expectations and goals the coach has for your child as well as for the team/season.
- Locations and times of all practices and contests.
- Team requirements, special equipment, strength and conditioning programs.
- Procedure if your child is injured during participation.
- Team rules, guidelines and consequences for infractions.
- Lettering criteria.
- Team selection process.
- Eligibility requirements including attendance.
- Proper care and responsibility for equipment issued by the school.
Communication Coaches Expect From Athletes & Parents
- Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
- Notification of any schedule conflicts in advance.
- Notification of illness or injury as soon as possible.
As your child becomes involved in his/her programs at middle and high school, he/she will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you and your child wish. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged. It is the first and most integral step to understanding and resolution.
If You Have A Concern To Discuss With A Coach, The Procedure You Should Follow Is:
- Call or e-mail the coach to schedule an appointment.
- If the coach cannot be reached, call the School Athletic Director; he/she will set a meeting for you.
- Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote positive resolutions.
Appropriate/Inappropriate Concerns To Discuss With Coaches
The following topics are appropriate for discussion:
- The treatment of your child.
- Ways to help your child improve his/her skills.
- Concerns about your child's behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you had hoped. Coaches make decisions based on what they believe to be best for all student-athletes involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child's coach.
Coaches are not expected to respond to questions involving the following topics:
- Amount of playing time, positioning, event entry.
- Team strategies, game tactics, play calling.
- Any discussion about other student athletes.
Player/Coach Conferences
All coaches should have an open-door policy for conferences with players. Players need to have confidence that their concerns will be heard and addressed with respect and confidentiality in a timely manner.
Parent/Coach/Player Conferences
If a parent /coach conference is scheduled (by appointment), we recommend the following guidelines:
- The coach will meet with the parent or two parents or guardians of one player at a time. The coach is not expected to approve requests to meet with larger groups.