Communication Guidelines

GO PANTHERS!!! 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 other and provide greater benefit to students.

Communications you should expect from your child's Coach:

  • Philosophy as a coach.

  • Expectation the coach has for your child.

  • Location and times of all practices and games.

  • Team requirements, i.e. Practices, special equipment, out of season training.

  • Procedures to follow should your child be injured during participation.

  • Discipline that may result in the denial of your child's participation.

Communication that Coaches expect from Parents:

  • Concerns expressed directly to the coach.

  • Specific concerns with regard to coaches' philosophy and/or expectations.

  • Notification of any illness or injury or missed practices.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with the Coaches:

  • 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 not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are teachers. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. As you have seen from the above list, certain things can and should be discussed with the coach. Other things, such as the ones listed below, must be left to the professional judgment of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with the Coach:

  • Other student-athletes.

  • Playing time.

Conferences:

There are often situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parents. The student athlete will be invited and involved in these meetings. To resolve the problem, we must have everyone?s help and involvement. These meetings are encouraged.

If there is a problem:

  • Have your son/daughter talk to the coach one on one. (It is part of growing up.) 

If this does not resolve the problem, the Parents should:

  • Call the school and request a return call or meeting with the coach.

  • Coaches will make time available in their day to meet with students and parents.

Parents should not:

  • Confront the coach before or after practice.

  • Confront the coach before or after a game.

Coaches are teachers. A parent would not walk into a classroom during class time and yell at the teacher about a poor grade, so please do not confront the coach in public. There are proper ways to communicate and have your concerns addressed. Practices and games are highly emotional times for everyone involved, players, coaches, and parents. Meetings and concerns do not get resolved during emotional times.

What to do if the meeting with the Coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution:

Call the Principal at 827-4506. The Athletic Director will attempt to mediate a resolution.

We hope this information helps make your child's and your experience with the athletic program less stressful and more enjoyable.