| Author |
Message |
Adam Hardin (Adman2510)
Junior Member
Username: Adman2510
Post Number: 4
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 03, 2006 - 5:55 pm: |       |
I would like to be a coach on the high school level someday. However there is one negative aspect of coaching that gets overlooked and that is dealing with the parents of your athletes. If and when I do become a coach, I know that there will be a few parents who will drive me crazy, so if anyone has any advice on proper ways of dealing with this issue please let me know. |
Eric J. Sampson (Esamps)
Junior Member
Username: Esamps
Post Number: 5
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 9:50 am: | |
Adam, I definately see what you are saying. I also would like to coach someday and from playing sports all my life, there was always that teamate that had the over-aggressive parent. In my un-professional opinion, I think you have to stick to your decisions and/or methods of coaching. Sports are not for everyone and a lot of parents don't agree with that. I had a basketball coach that nobody ever said anything to because they knew that it was his way or the highway, and to a certain exstent i think you have to be like that when you are a coach. |
Dave Drake (Coachdrake)
Junior Member
Username: Coachdrake
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 10:09 am: | |
Adam & Eric,
I have been a coach at all levels up through high school for 14 years. While everyone has their own ideas, here are a few things that I try to use. You have to first start off with standards that you want your program to be held to. (Practices, Games, School, Grades etc.) These standards must be discussed with your coaching staff (if you have one) first. At this time, you make changes and additions if necessary. Include items like: penalties, disciplinary actions, consequences, playing time and criteria for captains. Then speak with your team. Discuss all apects of your program. Make sure that you cover everything and allow for quesitons. Then you sit down and discuss everything with your parents. Be forward, and stand by your decisions. Allow for flexibility if necessary, but make sure they understand your goals and reasonings for rules and consequences. Allow them plenty of time for questions. Once your season starts, make sure that your staff stands behind you 100%. You cannot allow other coaches to undermine your program behind your back. Remind the parent and player about the rules that you and they went over and agreed to in the preseason. Remember this: if you make a mistake, admit it and resolve the issue asap! A parent will value your consistancy and honesty more than anything. |
wayne (Wjb2065)
Junior Member
Username: Wjb2065
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Monday, October 01, 2007 - 5:10 pm: | |
Coaches come with plenty of responsibility but also sometimes can walk on this ice with athletes and more so their parents. Coaches need to be assertive with their players but in doing so, can find themselves being questioned or even arguing with the players and parents. What advice could I receive on how to handle players problems or more importantly the athletes' parents concerns? Do I be assertive with them and tell them it is necessary? Or give that player a little slack and relax? |
Kristy Hepak (Kah0835)
Junior Member
Username: Kah0835
Post Number: 3
Registered: 9-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 8:56 am: | |
I am a high school diving coach, and after my first year I experienced what its like to have aggressive parents. I feel that you need to step into your position with confidence and authority, figure out a program that you feel will work and stick to it. I had two students skip practice with no excuse causing them to be benched. I heard every excuse from their parent trying to stick up for the kid. Stick to your guns, make sure everyone understands what you expect up front, and if you do have a situation it WILL not be the end of the world. It will pass. Just be firm, but at the same time have a level of understanding and you should be fine. Stick to your standards as best as you can. |
Christopher Kwolek (Airforceone22)
Junior Member
Username: Airforceone22
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 10:41 pm: | |
When you are dealing as a coach with parents and other persons in the community you have to take this into consideration and this is more than just an aggressive parent- as a coach, 40% like you, 40% dislike you, and 20% do not care...my point..you coach how you feel because you can not please everyone |
Leslie Kramer (Lhk9912)
Junior Member
Username: Lhk9912
Post Number: 2
Registered: 3-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 9:11 am: | |
I was a cross country coach for 6 years at the junior/high school level. I didn't realize that coaching involved dealing with parents as well. When I first started, I just thought that I would be working with the athletes. I quickly learned that the kids were not the only ones I had to deal with. Through my years of coaching I learned many things about dealing with the parents. There are some that just let the coach do their thing and not bother, but there will be some that disagree with the coach. I personally found that meeting with the kids and their parents before the practices begin is beneficial. I would explain to them both what was expected of the kids. I would go over the rules that I set and what practice would consist of. I also asked the parents to be involved in a positive manner. I also found it beneficial to talk to the parents at meets about the positive things their child contributed to the team. All in all, in the 6 years I coached, I only had a problem with one father. No matter what I did or said to this father, he never understood me. In the end, I realized it wasn't me with the problem. This was a very good point that you brought up. Good luck with your teaching and coaching in the future. |
Matt Casamento (Mxc1730)
New member
Username: Mxc1730
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - 5:26 am: | |
I am going to be in the same situation as you adam, Im excited to coach but not excited to deal with the politics of high school sports. Being an athlete in High school, I knew what other students parents were like. The opinion they had about their child, or about how they thought their children should be handled. I definetly agree with what some of the other people posted, you have to coach for the kids, nevermind the outside distractions. If you win, your a hero, if you lose, there is always something you could have done better. But no matter what the circumstance, you are bound to hear something from the peanut gallery. |
Nick Dice (Big_dice)
Junior Member
Username: Big_dice
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 6:40 am: | |
I agree dealing with parents is a hassel. From coaching I have learned that the best way to deal with this is to just politely listen to them then do what you would like to. I think most of them are just looking to vent their frustrations. You just have to remember that it is your team not theirs |
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