Parent – Coach Communication Guide

Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing communication and understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to our student athletes. To be successful, communication is vital and requires involvement, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment from parents, student athletes, and coaches.



COMMUNICATION YOU SHOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR CHILD’S COACH

1. Coach’s and program’s philosophy.

2. Individual and team expectations.

3. Location and times of all practices and games.

4. Team requirements, i.e., practices, special equipment, off season conditioning.

5. Procedure followed should your child be injured during practice or games.

6. Any discipline that may result in the denial of your child’s participation.



COMMUNICATION COACHES EXPECT FROM PARENTS

1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

2. Notification of schedule conflicts well in advance.

3. Specific concerns with regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations.

4. Support for the program and the attributes of dedication, commitment, and responsibility that are ingredients for success and excellence. Encourage your child to excel.

 

While your child is involved in interscholastic athletics, they will experience some of the most rewarding and inspiring moments of their lives. It is also important to understand that there might also be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.



APPROPRIATE CONCERNS TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically.

2. Ways to help your child improve and develop.

3. Concerns about your child’s behavior.

 

It is very difficult to accept your child not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe is best for the team and all athletes involved. There are certain areas and issues that can and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things, such as those below, should be left to the direction of the coach.



ISSUES NOT APPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS WITH COACHES

1. Playing time

2. Team strategy

3. Play calling

4. Other student athletes



IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN TO DISCUSS WITH A COACH

1. Call to set up an appointment with the coach.

2. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before, after, or during a practice or game. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach, and this situation does not promote resolution nor objective analysis.

Hotel Info for Senior State

Spring HIll Suites by Marriott Athens

3500 Daniels Bridge Rd.,

Athens, GA  30606

Phone #  706-3538484

Rate :  $89.00 + tax

Breakfast included in rate.

Please use Group code when making reservation:  Sports/Team

Pre and Post Race Conversations with The Athlete

If you’ve been to swim meets, you will have noticed that both before a race and immediately after a race, the coach speaks with your child. This is an important part of the race experience.

 

Before the race, the purpose is to remind the child of the singular thing that  the coach wants the child to concentrate on in that race.

 

Or, in the words of famous Coach Confucius, “He who chases two rabbits, catches neither.” The purpose of the coach’s communication with your child is to make sure they are focused only on the item that the coach has chosen for that race. (This is based on what we’ve been doing in practice.)  The reason we practice, of course, is to prepare to race.

 

Post Race, the coach wants to meet IMMEDIATELY with the athlete once they get out of the water to discuss with the athlete if they achieved that singular goal.  Did they do what they set out to do?  If so, “great, good job!” If not, why not?  Or if the athlete can’t remember what they were supposed to do, that’s not a good and back to the drawing board in learning how to concentrate!

 

Both communications are critically important in the development of the athlete.

 

If a parent wants to know what the child is supposed to be concentrating on in any particular race, ASK THE COACH! We’ll be happy to tell you. You might check afterwards and see if your child also remembered, post race, what we said about it.  Then you can reinforce the need to focus and learn.

Towel List for last year

IF your name is on the list and would like to purchase a towel, then make check payable to Marlins Sports Foundation, if you do not want a towel do not pay.  See list and check if your name is on the list.

 

PRELIMINARY