How to Handle Parents as a Coach

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

Parent involvement in their children’s sports activities is at an all time high and it begins at a very early age. Parents register their children on sports teams early-on and become accustomed to controlling many decisions around their child’s progress. Many parents even become coaches with the intention of helping their child have a great experience.

Much of the early sports life is therefore controlled by parents.

As the young athletes age, parents are asked to give up most of that control. Particularly when the child reaches upper middle school or junior high and on into high school, the parents must step aside for the club, travel, and high school coaches to make most of the decisions surrounding the athletes.

This is a major shift. And one that is quite difficult for most parents.

So how do coaches deal with the parents?

Tracy Buford, a former coach, who also was a parent of a former college student athlete, gives an opinion.