Parent/Coach Communication: 

Communication you should expect from your child's coach:

• Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the squad.

• Locations and times of all practices and contests

• Team requirements: practices, equipment, conditioning, fundraisers, etc.

• Discipline that may result in the denial of your child's participation.   

Communication coaches expect from parents:

• Concerns expressed directly to the coach

• Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance

Parents play such a prominent role in the success or failure of each player's experience.  It is important to understand that there may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes.  The coaches recognize that parents want the best for their daughters.  To that end, the coaches request that the parents recognize that each player is one of many that comprise the team and parents should appreciate that coaching decisions are made with the best interests of the team, and its players, in mind.  Should a concern arise, the hope is that parents will first look at the situation from the standpoint of the entire team in an effort to gain a proper perspective, and give plenty of time to draw logical conclusions. 

If, after this approach, the situation is still viewed as a problem, please encourage your child to speak directly with the coach.  Many times the matter can be taken care of at that time.  It is the head coach's strong opinion that high school players are mature enough to handle these challenges themselves.  Many issues concern playing time, starting vs. not starting, or position.  On these issues, let the player work through the difficult times; let the player talk to the coach about finding solutions; let the player resolve to understand the situation and try to fix it.  The individual who is most involved is the player; she should not be removed from the equation.

Finally, if you have concerns regarding the treatment of your child, ways to help your child improve, or concerns about your child's behavior, the parent should seek out the coach at a reasonable time.  Just before, during and just after a game or practice is not a reasonable time to seek out a coach, and such attempts to meet will be respectfully denied.  The head coach will make time for any parent whose approach is respectful and solution-oriented.  Heated, accusatory, demanding or spur-of-the-moment approaches are unproductive and are likely to be met with resistance.