| One of the most difficult areas of coaching a youth | | | | - I ask that you do not coach your child from the |
| soccer team is having successful relationships with the | | | | sideline. Cheer and encourage as much as possible, but |
| parent group. | | | | please allow me to provide the coaching. I may have a |
| These tips should allow for optimal success by setting | | | | plan in place for the team, and having sometimes 30+ |
| expectations, hearing and addressing concerns, and | | | | extra coaches on the sideline can create confusion for |
| allowing for positive relationships throughout the entire | | | | the players. |
| season. | | | | - If you have concerns about your child or the team, |
| Once your team is selected, prior to the first practice, | | | | please talk to me before, or after the next practice. I |
| have 2 meetings. Have a meeting with your players | | | | ask this so we can think through and have time to |
| whereby you can discuss your expectations, allow | | | | digest any concern. It allows for me to review the |
| players to ask anything of you, and also it provides a | | | | game, and you to review and think through your |
| great opportunity for the players to meet and interact | | | | concern so we can discuss properly. |
| with each other. | | | | - Playtime, you must clarify your plan for playtime. If it is |
| The second meeting should be with only the parents | | | | equal, inform and stick to it. If not, be upfront and |
| group. The players could go outside with the assistant | | | | honest and answer any and all concerns to address |
| coach and play a game, or if held at a house they | | | | parental concerns. |
| could all watch a movie are some ideas. | | | | - Allow them to ask you anything, and answer as |
| The parent meeting is very similar to the player | | | | thoroughly and clearly as possible. This allows for them |
| meeting, and is the most important first step in having a | | | | to get to know who you are and how you will address |
| successful coach/parent relationship. This shows your | | | | specific areas of concern. |
| organized, well prepared, and have clear goals in mind. | | | | Using these tips should give you a great first step in |
| Set clear expectations. | | | | having a positive relationship with your soccer team |
| Simple as that. Lay out what YOU expect of THEM. | | | | parent group. |
| Some suggestion areas to discuss at the meeting | | | | By setting expectations early, of how you want the |
| would be: | | | | team to perform, and how you want the parents to |
| - Explain your coaching style. Everyone has their own | | | | handle certain situations, should greatly reduce the |
| style of coaching, so if you explain how you like to | | | | amount of "angry parents" during a season. Typically, in |
| coach for success, parents have the understanding of | | | | my experience, when a parent gets angry it is usually |
| how you coach. | | | | over an area whereby an expectation has not been |
| - Explain your goals and objectives. By understanding | | | | set by the coach. |
| what success looks like to you, parents will better | | | | Hopefully you have found these tips useful, and good |
| understand what you are looking for, and what areas | | | | luck coaching your teams! |
| of success you are focussing on. | | | | |