At times, the most challenging aspect of coaching and training is dealing with the parents of athletes. Unless you have children of your own (especially those that play sports), it would be difficult to understand why they ask numerous questions or why they constantly try and tell you how to do your job. These parents love their children and they want the best for them, even if they go about showing it in an interesting manner.<\/p>\n
Here are the steps to creating a positive parent-coach relationship, if you want to limit the issues you have with these parents.<\/p>\n
Parents always want to know what’s going on with their child athlete. Inform the parents<\/strong> of the drills and purposes behind what their child is working on. Encourage the parents to ask questions about any concerns that they may have about training.<\/p>\n Parents love to feel like they are a part of the training process, even when it is indirect; they want to feel like they are doing all that they can to ensure their child’s success. Offer them opportunities<\/strong> to assist by recommending tasks that they can have their child do at home. Refer to their expertise when dealing with challenges that arise from their child.<\/p>\nStep Two: Collaborate<\/h4>\n
Step Three: Praise<\/h4>\n