Parent Information

PARENTAL PARTNERSHIPS:

Parents are critical and influential to the success of the program.  The guidelines in the partnership include a team comes first mentality, respect for all players, coaches, opponents, referees and all DRHS stakeholders.  Parents promote love for players win, lose or draw while encouraging effort and character development through participation.  DRHS encourages parents to support all participants with positivity.  Parents are encouraged to refrain from negative commentary during games to officials, coaches, opponents, faculty and set the standard for behavior this includes refraining from giving instructions to players or team during games.  The DRHS soccer program highly values parent involvement but we encourage the parent to parent and leave the playing and coaching to players and coaches.  

Please adhere to the following steps whenever important information regarding any aspect of the athletic program- including concerns, grievances, or questions- must be communicated.  This process is supported by School Administration and the Jefferson County Board of Education:

1. Players must first speak to their coach.  Coaches will take every opportunity to be approachable to the athlete.

2. Assistant Coaches must first speak to the head coach in their sport.

3. The head coach must take his/her concerns directly to the athletic director. Communication is expected to be direct, not through the Athletic secretary. 

4. If any player, parent, or assistant coach approaches the athletics director, they are referred immediately to the head coach.  If it is a minor problem that can be resolved without interrupting the coach’s time, Athletic Director will work on resolving it and keep the coach informed.

5. The athletic director communicates to the principal.

6. The principal speaks to the area superintendent. If any player, parent, or assistant coach approaches the principal, they are referred immediately to the head coach.

7. The area superintendent addresses the superintendent and thus the school board if needed.

Communication with your child athlete

Raising a confident/empowered child:

–    Focus on fun and the process of learning

–    Support an empowering player/coach dynamic by encouraging players to talk to their coaches

–    Focus on the big picture

–    Let the coach do the coaching – being a parent is hard enough

–    Teach kids to focus on what they control – their own “thoughts and actions”

Raising a victim

–    Yelling and blaming refs, coaches, administrators, the system

–    Critiquing coaches and/or intervening for your child regarding playing time, positions, tactics, practices plans, games

–    Critiquing kids – yours and others

–    Yelling instructions at your child and other’s

–    Being overly concerned with winning. Having winning be the measure of success

–    “Hovering” over practices

*Phases of Parenting an Athlete:

Practice:

–    Encourage commitment

–    Proper nutrition

–    Punctual

–    Abdicate during practice

Before Game:

–    Be calm by example

–    Don’t play the role of the coach with playing advice

–    Keep it light (Jokes, laughter)

–    Avoid giving a pre-game scouting report

–    Good meal and hydration

–    Good rest

–    Have fun

–    “I love you”

During the game:

–    Detach from results

–    Keep a low profile

–    Cheer for both teams

–    Set an example of sportsmanship with refs and other parents

–    Avoid being over protected

–    Avoid being win focused

After the game:

–    Detach from results

–    Supportive

–    Avoid creating a “fearful ride home” by analysis of the game, players, coaching, refs, or result. Don’t initiate a post-game talk. Players will initiate if they are interested.

–    Good sportsmanship

–    Good food and hydration

–     “I love you”