Parent-Coach Communication

Parent/Coach Relationship
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the others and provide greater benefit to our children. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child's program.

Communication you should expect from your child's coach:

· Philosophy of the coach.

· Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the other players on the squad.

· Expectations the coach has for parents.

· Locations and times of all practices and contests.

· Team requirements i.e., fees, special equipment, and off-season conditioning.

· Procedure should your child be injured during participation.

· Discipline that results in the denial of your child's participation.

Communication coaches expect from parents:

· Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

· Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.

As your children become involved in the athletic programs at Princeville High School, they 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 or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:

· The treatment of your child mentally and physically.

· Ways to help your child improve.

· Concerns about your child's behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your child's not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all student-athletes involved. As you may have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child's coach. Other things, such as those in the following paragraphs, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:

· Playing time.

· Team strategy.

· Play calling.

· Other student-athletes.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. This is encouraged. It is important that both parties have a clear understanding of the other's position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be taken to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

Procedures to follow if you have a concern to discuss with a coach:

· Call 385-4660 to set up an appointment to see the coach.

· If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Director and leave a message for the coach.

· Please do not attempt to confront the coach before, during or after a practice or contest. These confrontations can be emotional for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolutions.

The Next Step

What a parent can do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution:

· Call and set up an appointment with the Athletic Director to discuss the situation.

· At this meeting, an appropriate next step will be determined.

Since research indicates students involved in extra-curricular activities have a greater chance for success during adulthood, these athletic programs have been established. Many of the character traits required to be successful participants in these activities are exactly those that will promote successful lives after high school.

We hope the information provided here makes both your son/daughter and your experience with the PHS Sports Programs less stressful and more enjoyable.

"If you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then someday you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them."

Suggestions for Parents

1. Be positive with your child. Let him/her know it is a great accomplishment to be a part of PHS Athletics.  Many athletes who were starters in junior high or on the freshman team are no longer playing sports  The coaches appreciate every athlete on an PHS roster, regardless of their role on the team.  

2. Encourage your child to follow team and school rules.  Every PHS athlete is expected to abide by PHS and IHSA extra-curricular guidelines. 

3. Insist your son/daughter works to their academic ability.  The fact of the matter is that a very small percentage of our players go on to play college athletics.  Your child's work in the classroom is what will help him/her when they move on to college.  

4. Do not offer excuses for why your child is not playing.  There is usually a reason for it, and it starts in practice.  Your child's coach sees him/her in practice every day and is the best person to decide who should play.

5. Try not to criticize your child's coach in front of them. While we realize that not every parent will see eye-to-eye with the coach on all matters, criticizing the coach in front of your child undermines the authority of the coach and allows your child to make excuses for himself/herself about playing time.  Instead of working hard in practice to get better and perhaps earn more playing time, they find it easier to place the blame on the coach.  Suggest to your child that he/she approach the coach and ask, "Coach, is there a way I could earn more playing time?" or "What could I work on to improve?"  If you are still not satisfied, arrange a meeting with the coach.  Problems do not get solved unless your child communicates with coaches.

6. Help the coaches foster a team atmosphere. Coaches spend a great deal of time trying to instill this attitude in players.  We realize that at times this takes sacrifice on the part of the players, but we feel it is crucial to developing a lasting sports programs.

7. Be a positive fan.  Please help keep our games a positive, fun experience for the players, coaches, and other fans.  Be respectful of coaches, players, and officials.  Your child will take note of this, and act in a similar manner.  While sportsmanship may seem an old-fashioned notion, it is still very important to high school sports.

8. Help your child develop a positive self-image.  Try to avoid comparing your child to other players on the team and older siblings who might have played sports  Help him/her in any way possible to feel good about their role on the team, whatever role that may be. 

9. Help the coaches teach life skills. Being part of any high school sports team is a responsibility for a

player.  The coaches feel strongly those qualities such as reliability, loyalty, trustworthiness, the ability to

be a team player, and organization can be stressed in the normal course of a sports season. 

10. Encourage your child to play for the love of the game.  Getting too concerned with things such as who is scoring the points, who is getting the publicity, post-season awards, and college scholarships can make a player forget why they loves athletics.  Play the game and the other things will take care of themselves.

PHS EXPECTATIONS

          In our attempt to become champions, we must also learn to be champions in the game of life. Below are the high standards and guidelines that we expect from our players:

          * Follow all training rules and discipline myself to be mentally and physically alert.

          * Be sincere and loyal at all times to my coach, my team and school.

* Don’t be late. 15 min. early rule.

          * Excel in the classroom. You will either pay the price now, or you'll pay a bigger price later!

         *  Make the off-season commitment.  Players are made in the off-season.

          * Expect to Win. Doubters don't win. Winners don't doubt.

          * Play Hard. Always give your best.

* Play with Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm shows the world that you're excited and have a passion for what you're doing. Get excited and enjoy what you're doing!

          * Play Smart. Stay focused and maintain a high level of concentration.

          * Never Give Up! People who won't quit, don't.

          * Be Coach-able. These are the people you win championships with.

          * Act Mentally Tough. Don't panic and break under pressure!

          * Always Have a Positive Attitude. Keep encouraging your teammates.

* Don't Make Excuses. Learn to accept responsibility for your actions. 

          * Accept your role.  Every member of the team is equally important.

          * Be a Leader. Leaders are people who show the way and lead by example.

          * Always put the Team First! Selfish and self-centered people can't.

          * Never look back and say I wish I had worked harder.

          * Work hard in practice. This is the time you earn the right to play for a Championship.

-reproduced from Metamora High School-