How to Complain to a High School Coach

High school coaches set some very high and rigid standards for students and student athletes. Complaining to a coach about a problem can be a very difficult thing for this reason. It's important for a student with a complaint to approach a coach in a manner that is serious and respectful so that the coach deals with the problem properly. Follow these steps to complain to a high school coach.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Think about exactly what your problem is. It's important for you to know what your specific problem is, why it warrants a complaint and what you want the coach to do about it. Set all these things down on paper so you can look for problems with your complaint and so you present your complaint in a fluid and coherent manner.
2. Tell someone else that you're complaining. Ideally, parents should know when a student complains to a high school coach so that they can stay in the loop. This does not mean that a parent should do the complaining since it is usually more effective for a student to handle the problem maturely. However, informing someone else about the complaint could help prevent future problems.
3. Approach the coach during office hours or after school. Speaking about your problem on your own time shows the coach that you are serious and that you are not simply trying to waste time or get out of an exercise or drill. Speak with the coach during lunch, after school or during office hours so that you get the respect and attention of your coach.
4. Pursue the matter even if the coach is unresponsive. Writing a letter or email to the coach with your complaint will help you take the complaint further if your coach is unresponsive. Speak with your guidance counselor or principal and show them that you wrote a mature and respectful letter to complain so that they see you are serious and that your complaint deserves to be addressed.