As a coach, you may find your greatest challenge isn't managing your athletes, but working with their parents. Here are some tips that will improve your relationship with any Mom or Dad.

Meet with parents before the season starts

Let them know what you expect from them and their children, and share your coaching philosophy. Set a few ground rules, and ask them for questions and their concerns. Establishing a relationship now will make it easier to work with them during the season.

Don’t let problems fester

If you have a problem with a parent, or vice versa, discuss the issue in private as soon as possible and try to reach a resolution. Putting this off will make the problem worse, and may get other parents involved.

Treat all players the same

The trend to treat exceptional athletes differently from others starts at the earliest ages, and parents are well aware of this. Favoritism is a big concern for parents, so let them know that all kids will get the same amount of playing time and no one will get special treatment.

Get parents involved

From serving as assistant coaches to snack or carpool parent, parents want to be involved in their kid’s activities. Encouraging them to do so in a constructive way will make your job easier.

Stress positive reinforcement

Encourage parents to be positive and supportive of their children. Ask them not to yell at their child or referees during practices and games.

Manage expectations

Parents often think their child is a better player than he or she really is, and expect more from them as a result. Coaches can let parents know that such expectations put more pressure on their children, and encourage them to focus on praise rather than criticism.

Let parents know your time is valuable

Parents should treat youth sports practices and meets as any other appointment, and should get their kids there on time. Likewise, they should let you know if their child needs to miss a practice or game.

Posted by Rick Wolff at 01:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Coaching young athletes kids provides its own rewards and challenges. The experience can be overwhelming at times, especially if it's your first time coaching. Keep these guidelines in mind during the season, and you'll avoid some common coaching mistakes while setting your athletes on the right path to have a lifelong love of sports.

Make “Keep It Fun” a philosophy, not a slogan

The No. 1 reason children give for dropping a sport is that it is no longer fun. Take the focus off winning and gear everything you do towards giving kids a positive experience.

Set realistic expectations for the kids

Not every kid is going to be a star, but all kids want to have fun. As a coach, you have to work with each child to help her progress and advance her individual skill level.

Praise beats criticism

Focus on what players do right – and praise them for it — rather than dwelling on what they do wrong. Praise is more motivating than criticism, especially for children still developing their self-esteem.

Organize your practice sessions to be quick paced

The best practices are those in which the kids are moving from drill to drill, always on the go, and always progressing. By the end of the session, they feel as though they've truly accomplished their goals for the day.

Maintain realistic expectations

Coaches (and parents) frequently demand a performance level that is higher than kids can achieve. Trying to meet these expectations puts undue pressure on kids, who may turn away from sports as a result.

Teach sportsmanship

And enforce it, too. Sportsmanship is a concept that has to be continually taught, enforced and respected. Lead by example—your athletes are paying as much attention to your behavior as your words.

Be fairer than fair

Treat every child equally, especially if one of them is your own. Give equal playing time regardless of skill level, and distribute your attention evenly.

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