How to Talk to Coaches About Your Child Athlete

Maintaining a good relationship with your child's coach is an important step toward her success. You need to treat the coach with respect in order to get that respect back. After all, you child spends a lot of time learning from the coach.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Build up your courage to stand your ground when you have an issue with your child's coach.

2. Try to make an appointment to talk with the coach. They are generally very busy helping your child and the rest of the team, as well as other parents, and running their business.

3. If you are very upset, write your thoughts and issues down on paper and give it to the coach. That way, you can remain calm and respectful. Coaches believe they are doing the very best for your child and do not like to be told otherwise.

4. Keep the focus on your own feelings instead of placing blame on the coach. Give them the benefit of the doubt to explain the situation, because there are often many sides to every situation.

5. Give your coach a chance to explain. Listen carefully to what he says so both of you can further help your child succeed, which is the ultimate goal.

Tips & Warnings

• Your child's coach is an expert in teaching every aspect of the sport and was most likely a high-achieving athlete. So, your coach probably knows about the sport more than you do.
• Talk with your child before butting in. Evaluate whether or not you really need to interfere.
• Watch out for coaches that berate you or your child, and take your business elsewhere.
• Be careful about what you say and how you say it because it could affect your child's relationship with their coach.

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