Question of the Week: What are five tips for parents to help their son/daughter have a positive athletic experience?
Mike Tracey- Alleman, UTHS
1.Be honest.
2. Be supportive of your child and the program.
3. Communicate issues/concerns to the coach. The sooner the better.
4.Please be on time with all paperwork etc.
5. Allow the coaches to establish a 2-way element of trust with your family. The first and foremost issue is that keeping your child safe is our main priority.
Mark Massey- Clinton
1- Any comments to a coach in the window of time after a match should be pretty light and fluffy … nice win, keep working, etc.
2-If you meet with the coach after requesting one, please do not expect to discuss anything besides your child.
3- I can only speak for myself, but I don’t think many coaches are very different. We’re putting the group of kids on the court that gives us the best opportunity to play well and get a win. No player is guaranteed playing time, nor does any player “have a spot.”
4- Among the cardinal sins, perhaps one of the worst is shouting something from the stands negative toward a player not your child.
5- Do not encourage your child to look into the stands to get directions from you
Kathy Bresnahan- Iowa City West
1. Be the parent for your child, not the coach! When they get home from practice or a game, be interested, be supportive, be their cheerleader but don’t run them through drills or game tape as soon as they step in the door. If they ask for your help or suggestions, great! But otherwise stay in your lane and be their parent or guardian
2. Support the program! There are many ways to help the program succeed. Ask the coach what role parents can take to make the program better. Organize travel meals? Volunteers in concessions? T-shirt orders. If you want to be involved, there are a myriad of ways to make that happen
3. Be a sounding board but not the agitator. There are going to be days your child comes home upset after a bad practice or game. Let them vent and then suggest your child approach the coach and ask for ways to improve…extra drills, staying a few minutes after practice for a few more reps, etc. don’t demean the coach, other players, or the program…nothing positive will come out of that conversation
4. Positive coach interaction. If you really feel it necessary to have a meeting with the coach, send them a text or email and ask when would be a good time to down with them and your child. This interaction should never take place immediately after a game or match. Remember when you do meet, you’re not there to talk about other athletes but rather how your child can improve
5. Be a positive influence in the stands. There’s nothing worse than “That parent” who berates the officials, opposing players, or even worse, your child’s teammates. That puts the program, school, and your child in a bad light. Represent your program in a positive manner. Don’t embarrass your child.
1) Let the Coaches Coach and your son or daughter play.
2) Enjoy the time of your child playing sports there will come a time that they will not be participating any longer.
3) No matter how they played or how the team did, always tell them how proud you are of them not matter of their role on the team.
4) Allow Coaches to coach your children.
The world will hold them accountable. If a coach holds your children accountable, they are showing they care about them as a person and want them to succeed in life.
5) Talking to a Coach about your son or daughter's playing time is a no-win conservation for everyone. If the parent talks to the coach, and your son or daughter plays more, then the Coach will get a flood of calls, texts or emails wanting more meetings. If the coach, doesn't play your son or daughter more after the meeting, it is perceived that the coach is "taking it out" on your son or daughter. Making it a no-win situation for everyone. Have your athlete talk to the coach 1 on 1. The coach and player are the only ones at practice everyday and can discuss what they need to do better to see more game action. I always had more respect for the athlete who came to me with a question instead of the parents.
Greg Bennett- Lewistown
1. Make sure that your student athlete is able to get to all practices, games, etc., on time, and that all required paperwork is turned in by its due date. (physical, insurance waiver, code of conduct, drug testing compliance, etc.)
2. Pay attention to the schedules which you receive. You will be notified of any changes as soon as they occur. It is important that you inform the coaching staff of any player absences, either prearranged or situational, as they affect the entire team. Keeping the lines of communication open is always very important.
3. If there is ever a problem or concern, make sure to follow the chain of command. You should always first communicate your issues directly to the coach. If there is still an issue after your initial conversation, you should then contact the Athletic Director. The A.D. will then address your concerns and determine whether it is necessary for him to host a formal meeting with the coach and parent. (You should avoid addressing any issues with a coach immediately after the conclusion of an athletic contest. When emotions are running high, discussions can become inflammatory.)
4. Avoid coaching your child from the stands. Such “coaching” may interfere with a players focus and often causes a breakdown in both team execution and overall performance. Be a great fan for your child and the team, cheer loudly, but leave the coaching during the contest to the coaches that were hired to do so.
5. Always remember to play your role as a supportive and effective parent. When a contest is over, it’s over. No matter how things went, don’t berate your children. Give them constructive feedback, accentuate the positive, and move on. Berating or belittling your child, his/her teammates, coaches, or officials, never has positive outcomes. Talk to your children about the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, respect, and fair play, and exhibit those values through your own actions. Be a positive example from the stands and encourage your student athlete to exhibit those same qualities both on and off the field or court.
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