Kids Soccer- Working With Soccer Parents
Soccer for kids should be all about fun and learning. In order for a team to be successful it must be able to control the parents on the sidelines. Most parents involved in Kids soccer are very supportive and caring and want only the best for their children. Every once in a while you come across a parent who causes a season of trouble and irritation.
For a team or club to be successful it is important to have teamwork. This teamwork shouldn't be limited to just the players and should involve the coach and the parents. The most important relationship is often overlooked and neglected. Can you guess which one it is? It's the relationship between the coach and the parents.
If the coach and parents have a good relationship, the team and children benefit significantly. If the parents continue to clash with the coach, the children lose the sense of fun and enjoyment because they continue to witness their parents fighting.
The best way to deal with these parents is to prevent it from happening in the first place. At the beginning of every season lay down the law. Give them a brief description of your plans for the year and your coaching methods. Establish playing time, position rotations and the levels of parent participation that will be required. If they don't agree with you in the beginning before the season starts, the best option might be for them to find a new club.
Once the parents have agreed on your coaching plans, the next best option is to get them involved. Don't let parents be a taxi service for their kids, get them involved in training. Get them to help around the club and get them to participate during the training drills.
Last but not least, communicate with the parents. Give the parents feedback during the season and let them know how their children are improving and developing. Discuss their child's progress, strengths and weaknesses and offer constructive feedback. Let them know you actually care about their children and your coaching them because you want them to succeed and reach their potential.
If after your best intentions and efforts are ignored and problems still arise from certain parents, make sure to act in a professional manner. Also take control of the situation as early as possible because the problem will inevitable escalate, causing you more grief in the long run.
For a team or club to be successful it is important to have teamwork. This teamwork shouldn't be limited to just the players and should involve the coach and the parents. The most important relationship is often overlooked and neglected. Can you guess which one it is? It's the relationship between the coach and the parents.
If the coach and parents have a good relationship, the team and children benefit significantly. If the parents continue to clash with the coach, the children lose the sense of fun and enjoyment because they continue to witness their parents fighting.
The best way to deal with these parents is to prevent it from happening in the first place. At the beginning of every season lay down the law. Give them a brief description of your plans for the year and your coaching methods. Establish playing time, position rotations and the levels of parent participation that will be required. If they don't agree with you in the beginning before the season starts, the best option might be for them to find a new club.
Once the parents have agreed on your coaching plans, the next best option is to get them involved. Don't let parents be a taxi service for their kids, get them involved in training. Get them to help around the club and get them to participate during the training drills.
Last but not least, communicate with the parents. Give the parents feedback during the season and let them know how their children are improving and developing. Discuss their child's progress, strengths and weaknesses and offer constructive feedback. Let them know you actually care about their children and your coaching them because you want them to succeed and reach their potential.
If after your best intentions and efforts are ignored and problems still arise from certain parents, make sure to act in a professional manner. Also take control of the situation as early as possible because the problem will inevitable escalate, causing you more grief in the long run.
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