These are some words from a coach for an athlete's parents.
1. I love coaching your athlete. Whether or not you think so, your athletes all hold a special place in my heart and I wouldn't trade coaching them for anything in the world! With that being said...
2. Please remember that I am the coach, you are not. Yes I love hearing your input and I love to let you help me become a better coach, but I was put in a position to coach your athlete because I am capable of it. I would not put myself in front of athletes seeking my guidance if I did not think I was capable.
3. I do know what I am doing. I wouldn't be coaching your athlete if I had no clue how the sport worked. I have played the sport for years and years and have had many different types of coaches. I could play/coach the sport in my sleep.
4. If your athlete is not coachable, don't blame me for slow progression. I will continue to work my very hardest to coach your athlete and make them better inside and out, but if they will not listen to me then I can only do the best that I can. I make every practice as productive as I know how and if an athlete will not perform according to the expectations I have for him/her then there is absolutely nothing else I can do.
5. YES, I YELL AT PRACTICE. This is pretty much the same for every sport. Most athletes cannot say that they have never been yelled at during a practice. Sometimes athletes need a little extra push or motivation and yelling can get the job done.
6. Just because I yell at practice does not mean that your athlete is bad. I push your athlete to be the best that they can be anytime I open my mouth to give criticism. Some athletes need a little more push than others. Just because I yell at one, or all the athletes I am coaching, it does not mean that they are bad players or that I am mad.
7. I am not a referee, judge, or official. Sometimes these officials make mistakes or bad calls, but please do not blame me for those. Also, please don't expect me to yell at the officials when this happens. The only good thing that comes from a coach yelling at a referee, judge, or official is getting carded or thrown out of a game.
8. Please do not yell at other parent's athletes. Feel free to get frustrated at your own athlete, but please don't get upset at another parent's athlete. Leave that to their own parents.
9. Good attitudes start at home. If you get excited about the sport with your athlete, encourage them, and love the sport as much as they do then I can promise you they will excel to the highest level they can. Nothing can be achieved without a positive attitude.
10. Your athlete means the world to me. I look forward to going to practices, games, and tournaments to coach your athlete. I love to sit at home and look at starting lineups, rotations, and plays because I get excited to see my athletes take a step forward. The majority of the time, I volunteer myself to coach and I receive no money for it. I don't do it for a paycheck, I do it because I love what I do. I love each and every athlete I have under my care. Not only do I get to push them to perform at their highest, they push me to be a leader and better version of myself. I love the sport as much as your athlete does and more importantly I love to coach your athlete. I am a coach because I want to be and I love what I do so please remember that.
