Athletic Department
Parent-Coach Communication
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Parent/Coach Relationship
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the others and provide greater benefit to our children. As parents, when your children become involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child's program.
Communication you should expect from your child's coach:
Philosophy of the coach.
Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the other players on the squad.
Locations and times of all practices and contests.
Team requirements ie., fees, special equipment, and off-season conditioning.
Procedure should your child be injured during participation.
Discipline that results 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.
Specific concern in regard to a coach's philosophy and /or expectations.
As your children become involved in the athletic programs at Carbondale Community High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.
Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches:
The treatment of your child; mentally and physically.
Ways to help your child improve.
Concerns about your child's behavior.
It is very difficult to accept your child's not playing as much as you may hope. Coaches are professionals. They make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all student-athletes involved. As you may have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child's coach. Other things, such as those in the following paragraphs, must be left to the discretion of the coach.
Playing time.
Team strategy.
Play calling.
Other student-athletes.
There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. This is encouraged. It is important that both parties have a clear understanding of the other's position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be taken to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.
Procedures to follow if you have a concern to discuss with a coach:
Call (618) 457-3371 ext. 212 at CCHS to set up an appointment to see the coach.
If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Director and leave a message for the coach.
Please do not attempt to confront the coach before or after a practice or contest. These confrontations can be emotional for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do not promote resolutions.
The Next Step
What a parent can do if the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution:
Call and set up an appointment with the Athletic Director to discuss the situation.
At this meeting, an appropriate next step will be determined.
Since research indicates students involved in extra-curricular activities have a greater chance for success during adulthood, these athletic programs have been established. Many of the character traits required to be successful participants in these activities are exactly those that will promote successful lives after high school.
We hope the information provided here makes both your child's and your experience with the CCHS Athletic Program less stressful and more enjoyable.
| "If you do the things you need to do when you need to do them, then someday you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them." |