When Your Coach Is Talking

Like any parent, I would love it if my kid could be one of the better players on one of the better teams and, if they want, could go on to have sports pay for their college.  

But more importantly, I want my kids play as long as they are having fun and I want to make sure that they are in a great environment that is conducive to them enjoying the game, getting better, learning social skills and learning resilience.  I also want them to grow up to be well rounded adults when this is all over.

As a sports parent, I have very clear expectations for my kids when it comes to how the practice, how they treat their teammates, and how they treat their coaches, and how they treat their opponents.  And, we TEACH these expectations and model these expectations for our kids, and when they aren't correctly living up to these expectations, we give clear and honest feedback.

Two things that drive good coaches crazy are athletes that don't pay attention to instruction and athletes who don't try to properly execute what was being taught.  They both go hand in hand.  Teach your athletes how to pay attention and be focused on their coach's instructions so that their coach can teach them how to perform better, and not behave better.

When your coach is talking, you:

- Look them in the eyes the whole time
- You give him/her ALL of you intention
- You don't pay attention to anybody else when he/she is talking
- If your friends are distracting you, move away from them; your learning is your responsibility
- Listen with the intent on learning so that you know what he/she expects and so that you can execute what they are asking you to do
- When they are talking, they are giving you instruction and directions - follow them the first time
- If you don't understand, raise your hand and ask for clarification
The only way coaches know if you don't know or understand is when you ask or when you mess up - so don't get upset if you mess up and they correct you - especially if you don't ask for help
- Say yessir/ma’am, no sir/ma’am
- Say thank you
- Every day, every practice, every time

That is my expectation of you as your parent and you my child.