orcement, feedback and goal setting are ways that can instill motivation in a young athlete. Adolescents are influenced by their peers, parents, and the social factors that surround them. These aspects shape the behavior of these youths and affect their motivation towards athletics. Some of the main reasons why female adolescents engaged in sports activities were to make friends, keep existing friends, or a combination of both. However, it is important to note that the athletes who had a greater history of sports participation were more strongly oriented towards their performance. These athletes also required less support and reinforcement from coaches and team mates than did athletes from a less sports oriented background. This indicates that less experienced players require extra encouragement and support than do more experienced players. Therefore, some emphasis on the social aspects of being on a team should be encouraged.Friday, April 17, 2009
Motivation 101
Motivation is necessary for developing and performing athletic skills. It is what drives an athlete to successfully acquire a skill through through long and hard practices. Although motivation can be difficult to achieve, attention to social influences and using techniques of reinf
orcement, feedback and goal setting are ways that can instill motivation in a young athlete. Adolescents are influenced by their peers, parents, and the social factors that surround them. These aspects shape the behavior of these youths and affect their motivation towards athletics. Some of the main reasons why female adolescents engaged in sports activities were to make friends, keep existing friends, or a combination of both. However, it is important to note that the athletes who had a greater history of sports participation were more strongly oriented towards their performance. These athletes also required less support and reinforcement from coaches and team mates than did athletes from a less sports oriented background. This indicates that less experienced players require extra encouragement and support than do more experienced players. Therefore, some emphasis on the social aspects of being on a team should be encouraged.
orcement, feedback and goal setting are ways that can instill motivation in a young athlete. Adolescents are influenced by their peers, parents, and the social factors that surround them. These aspects shape the behavior of these youths and affect their motivation towards athletics. Some of the main reasons why female adolescents engaged in sports activities were to make friends, keep existing friends, or a combination of both. However, it is important to note that the athletes who had a greater history of sports participation were more strongly oriented towards their performance. These athletes also required less support and reinforcement from coaches and team mates than did athletes from a less sports oriented background. This indicates that less experienced players require extra encouragement and support than do more experienced players. Therefore, some emphasis on the social aspects of being on a team should be encouraged.
Handling Off the Feild Issues
When you are working with young athletes nothing seems to go smoothly. You can always expect some kind of off the field issue to come up at the worst possible time. Learning to deal with these unfortunate and often unavoidable situations is a skill every successful coach must do.
The key to handling any kind of off the field situation is communication. Properly communicating with the people involved will allow you to better understand the full extent of the situation and to decide what needs to be done about it. It is always best to handle these instances promptly, because the faster action is taken the faster the issue is resolved.
When disscussing the siuation with the athletes involved there are a few guidelines to follow, to ensure nothing gets out of control and the problem is solved quickly.
Best of luck,
Coach Nich
The key to handling any kind of off the field situation is communication. Properly communicating with the people involved will allow you to better understand the full extent of the situation and to decide what needs to be done about it. It is always best to handle these instances promptly, because the faster action is taken the faster the issue is resolved.
When disscussing the siuation with the athletes involved there are a few guidelines to follow, to ensure nothing gets out of control and the problem is solved quickly.
- Schedule a meeting with anyone involved ASAP, even if it takes away from practice time
- Keep all details confidential, this is important to the privacy of the people involved
- Listen to all sides of the story seprately, this will help you determine what really happen
- Take time to think and discuss with your staff, to determine the severity of the situation and how best to handle it
- Meet with everyone involved and let them know the plan of action and what they need to do
- Take action and fix the problem as soon as possible!
Best of luck,
Coach Nich
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Player to Player Communication and Relationships
Player to player communication and relationships can make or break a team. Team chemistry plays an important role on and off the playing field. A team that plays as a team wins as a team. Whether it is positive support from your teammates in motivation, or constructive criticism in order to critique or make you better, it is important to have a good relationship with your teammates. We have all been on a team where there is that one bad apple who tends to bring down the teams morale. He’s the guy that argues with the team captains and talks back to the coach. It doesn’t matter how talented the player is, the team is better off without him.
During my experience as a player I have had coaches who were great at building team chemistry and relationships. It seemed like road trips were the best ways to build relationships with other players. We would take long bus trips that would either have us all communicating and having a good time, or having us all wanting to kill each other by the end of the trip. Coach would also room us in the hotels with a different player each weekend to help build relationships between all the players. Greater friendships will flourish greater relationships on the field.
Communication between players in order to build team chemistry and relationships can play a big role in how your team performs. As a player I have always felt more comfortable around my teammates when we all got along and played as one. When we did have to deal with that one bad apple we would find ways to straighten him out, or in one case a guy was released from the team. So remember a team that plays together wins together.
During my experience as a player I have had coaches who were great at building team chemistry and relationships. It seemed like road trips were the best ways to build relationships with other players. We would take long bus trips that would either have us all communicating and having a good time, or having us all wanting to kill each other by the end of the trip. Coach would also room us in the hotels with a different player each weekend to help build relationships between all the players. Greater friendships will flourish greater relationships on the field.
Communication between players in order to build team chemistry and relationships can play a big role in how your team performs. As a player I have always felt more comfortable around my teammates when we all got along and played as one. When we did have to deal with that one bad apple we would find ways to straighten him out, or in one case a guy was released from the team. So remember a team that plays together wins together.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Team Functions are Vital to Success
Having a team dinner before every football game, or an end of the year pool party at the end of softball season are two examples of team functions. They are important because all of the coaches and players can relax in a stress free environment and just be themselves. Team functions are great place to build relationships with your players and their parents. It is an environment where everyone can just let their hair down and relax.
Here are some examples of team functions that you may try out with your team:
- End of year party
- Team dinner on game days
- BBQ at a local park
- Pool party at coach's house
- Friendly parent/player game of softball
- Bowling
- See a movie
All of these activities are great ways for your players to bond with one another which ultimately leads to success on the field. Players will put in more effort if they don't want to let down people they have strong relationships with as opposed to teammates that they barely even know.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Student-Athlete not Athlete-Student
I've personally seen how many high schools around the country give special treatment to their athletes. I've seen class credit given for football practice, baseball players skipping class to hang out in the gym with their coaches, and cheerleaders getting passes to leave school by their coach to go eat lunch. Some friends of mine have even lost college scholarships due to poor grades and low SAT scores. To some, school has taken a backseat to sports and this shouldn't be the case. I feel it is my duty to encourage all of you coaches out there to stop giving your players special treatment and let them focus on their studies during school hours. If this doesn't apply to you, congratulations as you are one of the few doing the right thing and putting your players education.
If you know a player on your team has poor grades or skips class often, it should be your duty to meet with them face to face and tell them the importance of being in the classroom. If they don't listen and poor behavior continues then punish them by sitting them out a game. This will get them to realize that their is more to life than just sports, and sports won't take them everywhere in life. Education goes longer than athletic ability for most.
I just wish there were more players like Myron Rolle, the football player from Florida State University. He graduated with a dual major from FSU in just 3 years and was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University. He has bypassed the NFL draft to study at Oxford. Rolle has aspirations to open up his own cancer research center in the Bahamas eventually. Myron Rolle truly is a Student-Athlete and is a great example that every young person should try to follow. Take action, do some research on Mr. Rolle and make a powerpoint for your team to watch. Show them about what this great athlete has accomplished in the classroom as well as on the field and you will forever change some lives for the better.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Creating A Request Letter
During your experience as a coach you may run into a time when you are in need of equipment in order to compete. Every sport needs specific equipment which can often be rather expensive. In order to request equipment from your athletic department or whoever may be in charge of your funds, you may need to create a request letter. This letter is often typed and should consist of the following:
- You must know who you will be writing the request letter to. Include their address and date of the letter in the top left corner. After you include the date and address of course follow with a greeting (Dear Mr. or Mrs. Smith).
- After your greeting you will include your main point, which in this case would be the need of equipment.
- Once you have informed the reader of what you are requesting, it is time to give an explanation of why you are in need of the equipment. This is when you can include the amount of jerseys that include rips and tears, or whatever the explanation may be in which you are in need of the new equipment.
- After you have stated you explanation it is time for the closing. Always be positive in the closing in the hopes that the reader will fulfill your request. Conclude with a thank you and sign the letter if you choose. Also include your contact information so that the reader can get back to your request.
Hopefully with the following information you will be capable of obtaining those new uniforms you were hoping for, or the new and improved gear that all the other teams are wearing. Whatever your request may be, always remember to stay positive.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Using the Media To Your Advantage
Last week we discussed how the media can destroy your reputation if you don't properly communicate the right information to them. Today I'm going to take that concept a step further and show you how to use the media to your advantage. As we established before the media is your main connection to your community and good press can bring in tons of support.
The problem most coaches have is figuring out how to get good press, which is much easier than you probably think. The key to getting good press is building goodwill with the press, in other words if you are polite, professional, and supportive towards the media then in most cases they will return the favor. Despite the common beleif the media is made up of normal human beings just like us and they respond to disrespect the same way we do, being disrespectful back. So if you develop a good relationship with the press, that both of you can benefit from, they will be willing to help you out when you need them.
Remember the basis of any prosperous relationship is balance, so if they help you out be sure to return the favor. Plus it never hurts to send your favorite reporters a free tee shirt or an inside scoop on a compelling story, every now and then to just let them know you care. Little things like that go a long way towards building goodwill with the media.
Once you have the press on your side, then getting them to do you favors becomes much easier. For example, the big fund raiser you've been planning to help buy your team new equipment would receive much more support if an article promoting it somehow got published in the sunday paper. Of course this is just an example, the possiblities are limitless as to how you use the media to your advantage, but it all starts with a little goodwill.
Coach Nich
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Non Verbal Communication Between Coaches and Players
I created this cartoon in relationship to communication between a coach and their players. Communication in general while coaching young athletes can be difficult, but trying to teach them nonverbal signs can be even harder. Obviously this cartoon relates to baseball and a coach giving his player the steal sign. Doesn’t literally mean to steal, which we all know, but displays a funny interpretation by the child.
Although baseball is not the only sport that uses nonverbal communication, I chose to comment on this sport because I’m more familiar with this game. Some of the nonverbal communication by the coaches is evident, while others are not.
The most recognizable signs are given by the 3rd baseball coach (the coach shown in the cartoon). Everyone recognizes these signs, but “hopefully” your players are the only guys who can interpret them. If the other team picks up on these signs then u might as well be letting the entire field know your strategy.
These nonverbal signs in baseball can range anywhere from the signs given from the 3rd base coach to the pitching coach relaying signs to his catcher on which pitch he wants his pitcher to throw, the catcher then nonverbally relays the message to the pitcher by a number system in which he uses his a specific number for a specific pitch.
It may all sound more complicated than it really is, but it can and will be a vital part of your teams success. However, keep in mind that baseball isn’t the only sport in which these types of nonverbal techniques are used.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Writing Skills are Helpful in Running your Team.
Most high school athletic managers have limited experience in writing as their expertise are athletics. It is a good idea to learn basic writing skills as a coach or manager. Being a skilled writer can make you appear as more professional. Coaches generally need to develop work out, practice, and game schedules as well as flyers for team sanctioned events. Coaches also must email parents and players at times as well.
During emails it is key to use the following tips:
1. Use detailed subject lines
2. Use bulleted lists
3. Personalize the message if possible to make the reader feel as if you are writing to them and not just sending out a generic email.
While making schedules and flyers seems like a simple task, you can make yourself appear as a skilled professional to your players and their parents. Here are a few tips when writing flyers or schedules to your team:
During emails it is key to use the following tips:
1. Use detailed subject lines
2. Use bulleted lists
3. Personalize the message if possible to make the reader feel as if you are writing to them and not just sending out a generic email.
While making schedules and flyers seems like a simple task, you can make yourself appear as a skilled professional to your players and their parents. Here are a few tips when writing flyers or schedules to your team:
- Use Bold face folds to emphasize key points
- Check your grammar as you want to appear as a professional to be taken seriously
- Keep the days and times in a proper order that is easy to follow
R-E-S-P-E-C-T...
All coaches value winning. But winning cannot happen without players being cohesive and players having good chemistry. And that all starts and ends with the coach.
To go even further I believe it all starts with the coaches' respect for ALL players on the team. I think that there is no room in high school sports for coaches that treat star players at a higher level of respect than role players and bench players. If this occurs, a separation in the locker room is bound to come. There are a few exceptions to this. If a coach has superior talent, he may be able to do this and get away with it, but most of the time it will hurt the team's chemistry.
To be on a truly good team, means everyone believes in everyone, not just the star players. You play as one as opposed to five. This factor may not be as great as it is in pro and college competition (because the talent level is not much different from team to team), but if a coach establishes this in high school, every player will improve in their time playing there. That will, in turn, make them better men/women.
Of course, you also have leaders on your team, hopefully an "extension of the coach", which you bear more responsibility onto. This leader should not only lead on the court, but off the court as well. But the coach should not treat that leader with anymore respect than any other players, or, like I mentioned, this will create a tension in the locker room.
To go even further I believe it all starts with the coaches' respect for ALL players on the team. I think that there is no room in high school sports for coaches that treat star players at a higher level of respect than role players and bench players. If this occurs, a separation in the locker room is bound to come. There are a few exceptions to this. If a coach has superior talent, he may be able to do this and get away with it, but most of the time it will hurt the team's chemistry.
To be on a truly good team, means everyone believes in everyone, not just the star players. You play as one as opposed to five. This factor may not be as great as it is in pro and college competition (because the talent level is not much different from team to team), but if a coach establishes this in high school, every player will improve in their time playing there. That will, in turn, make them better men/women.
Of course, you also have leaders on your team, hopefully an "extension of the coach", which you bear more responsibility onto. This leader should not only lead on the court, but off the court as well. But the coach should not treat that leader with anymore respect than any other players, or, like I mentioned, this will create a tension in the locker room.
Communicating Between Coaches
When coaching at the next level, communication between coaches is a vital part of the game. A good scouting report is a great guide to being successful against an opposing team. A scouting report is one team’s analysis on the others, as they break down each player’s strengths and weaknesses. A lot of the time these scouting reports are shared between teams in a trade for another teams scouting report.
In order to obtain another teams report it is important to build a relationship with other coaches in the same conference or within the same area. A few examples of building relationships with another coach can range anywhere from the following:
* Staying in contact throughout the season
* Suggesting nice hotels and restaurants when coming into town
* Providing nice facilities and help at your playing field
* Showing good sportsmanship on and off the field
A good relationship with other coaches can help your team compete to its best ability and also give you an edge against opposing teams. How good are your relationships with the teams on your schedule?
In order to obtain another teams report it is important to build a relationship with other coaches in the same conference or within the same area. A few examples of building relationships with another coach can range anywhere from the following:
* Staying in contact throughout the season
* Suggesting nice hotels and restaurants when coming into town
* Providing nice facilities and help at your playing field
* Showing good sportsmanship on and off the field
A good relationship with other coaches can help your team compete to its best ability and also give you an edge against opposing teams. How good are your relationships with the teams on your schedule?
Avoiding a Media Meltdown
Most coaches and athletic directors biggest fear is dealing with the media. They always seem to show up at the worst time, ask the difficult questions, and make you look like a fool. Well believe it or not any sports manager can use the media to their advantage, by following a few simple rules.
The first thing any in-season coach should do is set up a designated media conference time well away from games and practice. Setting up a weekly meeting allows coaches to choose when they talk to the media, allowing them to prepare for any tough questions, and give well thought out answers.
The first thing any in-season coach should do is set up a designated media conference time well away from games and practice. Setting up a weekly meeting allows coaches to choose when they talk to the media, allowing them to prepare for any tough questions, and give well thought out answers.
Now when dealing with the media you have to always remember that their job is to create interesting stories, not necessarily to report the facts. Therefore since you are representing your team and your school it is important that you choose your words wisely, to avoid giving the media any reputation killing "ammo."
Here are a few simple rules to help you avoid a media meltdown:
- Take your time when making a statement
- Keep everything positive
- Only make politically correct statements
- Be as vague as possible
- Be polite
- Defer any questions to your predetermined media conference
- Always take the blame for the bad, but never except the credit for the good
If you follow the "Seven Media Commandments" you will be sure to avoid any negative news articles, angry Internet postings, and degrading parent phone calls. Although at times the media may seem to be a nuisance, you have to remember they are your necessary connection to your community. The same community that supports your team, parents your athletes, and pays your salary, so as you can see it is important to keep the media and your community on your side.
I've included a link to a video of some coaches who didn't follow the "Seven Media Commandments," for entertainment purposes only. (Note that none the the coaches in the video are working for the same teams anymore...) Check in next week as I take this concept a step further and show you how to use the media to benefit your sports program.
Coach Nicholson
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Staying Focused
Similar to many activities, staying focused for a big game can make or break an athlete’s performance. There are many distractions that can affect an athlete’s performance when it comes to game time, especially that of a student athlete. Being a college baseball player myself I have experienced plenty of distractions. These distractions have ranged anywhere from a fight with a girlfriend, to a final exam in which I needed to ace in order to maintain the appropriate GPA.
I often found myself stressing out about anything thing and everything my first year of college. I had just moved from a small town in Florida to one of the biggest cities in the world, New York. I found myself overwhelmed at first, but knew what I was there to do, which become a student athlete.
It wasn’t until the spring semester (baseball season), until I began to feel the pressure of juggling all these activities at once. I had one semester of college behind me and had an idea of the curriculum, but had no idea how stressful playing 50+ games, traveling, keeping a social life, maintaining a long distance relationship and keeping up with school, was really going to be.
As you can imagine it was hard for me to focus with all of this going on. So I sat down with my coach and brought this to his attention. I learned to manage my time wisely and if needed, coach allowed me to miss a day of practice to meet with a Tudor. Once I really began to get my priorities in line and focus on the baseball field I felt that I performed at an elite level. I ended up starting centerfield my freshmen year and ended the year leading the team in homeruns as a freshmen.
Once I became focused I was able to compete to the best of my ability and play against some of the best college athletes in the country. This is an experience that many student athletes come in contact with and was a great lesson on time management and the ability to focus on and off the field.
I often found myself stressing out about anything thing and everything my first year of college. I had just moved from a small town in Florida to one of the biggest cities in the world, New York. I found myself overwhelmed at first, but knew what I was there to do, which become a student athlete.
It wasn’t until the spring semester (baseball season), until I began to feel the pressure of juggling all these activities at once. I had one semester of college behind me and had an idea of the curriculum, but had no idea how stressful playing 50+ games, traveling, keeping a social life, maintaining a long distance relationship and keeping up with school, was really going to be.
As you can imagine it was hard for me to focus with all of this going on. So I sat down with my coach and brought this to his attention. I learned to manage my time wisely and if needed, coach allowed me to miss a day of practice to meet with a Tudor. Once I really began to get my priorities in line and focus on the baseball field I felt that I performed at an elite level. I ended up starting centerfield my freshmen year and ended the year leading the team in homeruns as a freshmen.
Once I became focused I was able to compete to the best of my ability and play against some of the best college athletes in the country. This is an experience that many student athletes come in contact with and was a great lesson on time management and the ability to focus on and off the field.
Friday, March 20, 2009
The most wonderful day of the year?
I was watching television a few days ago and the question came up, "What's the best sports day of the year?" Today has to rank right up there. With all the office pools going around, basketball until midnight and gurenteed buzzer beaters, you cannot dismiss this time of the year as one of the best in sports. Not to mention, I feel like this is the only major collegiate sport that the underdog actually has a fighting chance. Everyone loves the underdog/cinderella.
If you're not a huge baskeball fan, maybe today does'nt even rank up there for you. Another great time is opening day for the MLB. If you are a baseball fan, this day is pretty special. I love to hear the crack of the bat. There's nothing like going to a baseball game, cracking some peanuts and drinking some cold beer. It indicates the beginning of sprong, and the end of winter.
Or maybe you like golf. If so, The Master's weekend has to be the best for you. I'm not a really a big golf fan, but I would never miss this event. There's just simply nothing like The Master's. There's a certain buzz in the air, especially when Tiger's playing and teeing off. If you were watching this event in 2005, you will remember one chip in forever. On the 16th hole Tiger made the most amazing chip/shot i have ever seen. I have not missed a Master's since, and i won't miss one until Tiger is'nt playing.
Whether you like basketball better than baseball, or baseball better than golf, you cannot go wrong with any of these events if you are a sports fan. Even if I didn't mention your favorite sport(football), you can't fault any of these.
As for me, I am a huge basketball fan, so I love March Madness. I love to have an excuse to sit on the couch all weekend and watch great basketball. I also love it because there is so much emotion involved in each and every single game! But that's just me.
If you're not a huge baskeball fan, maybe today does'nt even rank up there for you. Another great time is opening day for the MLB. If you are a baseball fan, this day is pretty special. I love to hear the crack of the bat. There's nothing like going to a baseball game, cracking some peanuts and drinking some cold beer. It indicates the beginning of sprong, and the end of winter.
Or maybe you like golf. If so, The Master's weekend has to be the best for you. I'm not a really a big golf fan, but I would never miss this event. There's just simply nothing like The Master's. There's a certain buzz in the air, especially when Tiger's playing and teeing off. If you were watching this event in 2005, you will remember one chip in forever. On the 16th hole Tiger made the most amazing chip/shot i have ever seen. I have not missed a Master's since, and i won't miss one until Tiger is'nt playing.
Whether you like basketball better than baseball, or baseball better than golf, you cannot go wrong with any of these events if you are a sports fan. Even if I didn't mention your favorite sport(football), you can't fault any of these.
As for me, I am a huge basketball fan, so I love March Madness. I love to have an excuse to sit on the couch all weekend and watch great basketball. I also love it because there is so much emotion involved in each and every single game! But that's just me.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Keys to Keeping Your Players Motivated
After many years as both a player and coach in youth sports, I have learned that the relationship between managers/coaches and players is vital to success. I have been on both sides, so I understand both the player's and coach's point of view on the subject. It can be very hard for players to stay motivated for a coach that doesn't seem to care about his players. Here are some steps to ensuring your players stay motivated and give it their all.
- Become friends with your team. If your team likes you, they are going to play harder for you. You do not have to be extremely friendly, but just make sure your players know that you are behind them and support them fully.
- Embrace a player when they do a good job. Verbal praise makes the player feel good and makes them want to keep up the good work. Embrace a big victory, by giving your team a day off from practice. The gesture of good will can go a long way in earning your team's respect.
- Never single a player out for something negative in front of his teammates. It can make a player feel alienated and embarrassed. This will hurt your relationship with the player and even impact their play in some cases. Some players have a fragile psyche and when yelled at, they then start to play scared which leads to poor play.
- Give player's one on one time in practice. It shows that you care about how they are doing, this also builds good will and lets them know that you want them to get better. The more supportive a manger/coach is, the more committed the player becomes.
These were just a few quick tips I've picked up and tested over the years. If followed, they will keep your team motivated should lead to great success.
- Become friends with your team. If your team likes you, they are going to play harder for you. You do not have to be extremely friendly, but just make sure your players know that you are behind them and support them fully.
- Embrace a player when they do a good job. Verbal praise makes the player feel good and makes them want to keep up the good work. Embrace a big victory, by giving your team a day off from practice. The gesture of good will can go a long way in earning your team's respect.
- Never single a player out for something negative in front of his teammates. It can make a player feel alienated and embarrassed. This will hurt your relationship with the player and even impact their play in some cases. Some players have a fragile psyche and when yelled at, they then start to play scared which leads to poor play.
- Give player's one on one time in practice. It shows that you care about how they are doing, this also builds good will and lets them know that you want them to get better. The more supportive a manger/coach is, the more committed the player becomes.
These were just a few quick tips I've picked up and tested over the years. If followed, they will keep your team motivated should lead to great success.
Building a Successful Relationship with Athlete's Parents
One of the most important speeches every coach gives doesn't happen in a locker room, on the field, or at practice. It occurs weeks before the first game, usually in an auditorium or cafeteria, of course I am talking about the preseason parents meeting. Although dealing with parents is often the last thing any coach wants to do, every experienced coach knows that it is a major part of building a successful program.
Mastering the task of communicating with parents will greatly increase any coaches approval rating, which means better job security. Where most coaches mess up when dealing with parents is by treating them like there kids that you coach everyday. You must take into account that parents are not at practice everyday, they don't understand technical jargon, and most importantly you are not their superior.
To help improve your parent communicating skills follow these guild lines and you can't go wrong:
Mastering the task of communicating with parents will greatly increase any coaches approval rating, which means better job security. Where most coaches mess up when dealing with parents is by treating them like there kids that you coach everyday. You must take into account that parents are not at practice everyday, they don't understand technical jargon, and most importantly you are not their superior.
To help improve your parent communicating skills follow these guild lines and you can't go wrong:
- Always treat parents with respect and remain respectful, even if they don't do the same
- Always keep things positive, especially when talking about their children
- Set up a time and place away from games and practice to meet with parents
- Always give them your undivided attention
- Allow them to voice their opinion completely before responding
If you follow these five simple rules of parent communication, both sides will remain happy and you can stay focused on leading your team to success. Every coach knows that winning is the easiest way to solve any problem. Hope you found these tips helpful, check back next week for more.
Coach Nicholson
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