Parent guides › Parent coaches
For parent coachesYour first parent meeting:
what to say
A ten-minute talk with parents before the season can save you a lot of trouble later. You do not need slides. You need to say a few things clearly, once, and early.
Say it before the season, when nobody is upset yet.
When to do it
Do it at the field, at the end of the first practice, while the children play a game or get a drink. Ten minutes is plenty. If that does not work, send the same points in a message. Doing it in person is better, because parents get to meet you.
What to cover
- Who you are, and why you are coaching.
- What this season is about.
- When and where practices and games are.
- How playing time will work.
- How you will communicate.
- What you ask of parents on the sideline.
- When to bring a concern to you, and when not to.
Lines worth saying out loud
“Everyone will play.”
“Please cheer for everyone, and leave the coaching to me.”
“If something is bothering you, message me the next day, not at the field.”
Ask for help
Do not do it all yourself. You may need a team manager for messages, a parent to help at practice and someone to run the snack list. People are often happy to help when you ask them directly, and helpers tend to be your biggest supporters.
Send it in writing afterward
Follow up with a short message that repeats the key points. Some parents will have missed the meeting, and the rest will have forgotten half of it. If there is a question about playing time in week six, you can point to what you said in week one.
If you are nervous
Most parents are just glad someone volunteered. Keep it short, smile and thank them for coming. You do not need all the answers. “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” is a perfectly good thing to say.
Every practice, already written
You should not have to plan every session on your own. Each season curriculum gives you one page per session and an animated video of every activity. Read it in the car, set out your cones and coach.
Questions coaches ask
What if a parent disagrees with me at the meeting?
Thank them, and offer to talk about it afterward. Do not debate it in front of the group.
Should I talk about winning?
Be honest about what you care about. At young ages, most parents are relieved to hear that fun and improvement come first.
What if parents don’t show up?
Send the message anyway, and have a quick word with them at the next practice.
Dealing with sideline parents ›Fair playing time ›Your first week ›