Communicating with your Child's Coach

Your child is likely to be considerably influenced by his or her coach, not only in learning how to play baseball and enjoy the game but also in physical, psychological, and social development. Because coaches are powerful role models for young athletes, they face tremendous challenges and considerable responsibilities.

Of course, we cannot tell you about your child's particular coach; you will need to find that out. But we can tell you some things about Little League coaches in general. They come from all walks of life, motivated by their love of baseball and their desire to teach young people. All Little League coaches are volunteers; two of every three have children participating in the program. They donate many hours a week throughout the season to coach your child and other young athletes.

Unfortunately, as in many human endeavor, there are a few "bad apples" in the coaching world. Little League does all it can to eliminate ( or reeducate) them, but once in while a poor coach slips through. Thus, it is important that you make sure your child's coach acts in your son's or daughter's best interest.

Evaluating Your Child's Coach

Use the Coach Evaluation Checklist to help you find out about the person with whom you are going to entrust the welfare of you child.

COACH EVALUATION CHECKLIST

• Coaching Philosophy
  Does the coach keep winning and losing in perspective, or is this person a win-at-all -costs coach?
  Does the coach make sure that learning baseball is fun?
  
  
• Motives
  What are the coach's motives for coaching?
  Does the coach seek personal recognition at the expense of the players?
  
  
• Knowledge
  Does the coach know the rules and skills of the sport?
  Does the coach know how to teach those skills to young people?
  
  
• Leadership
  Does the coach permit players to share in leadership and decision making, or does he or she call all the shots?
  Is the coach's leadership built on intimidation or mutual respect?
  
  
• Self-Control
  Does the coach display the self-control expected of the players, or does she or he fly off the handle frequently?
  When kids make mistakes, does the coach build them up or put them down?
  
  
• Understanding
  Is the coach sensitive to the emotions of the players or so wrapped up in his or her own emotions that the kids' feelings are forgotten?
  Does the coach understand the unique make-up of each child, treating children as individuals?
  
  
• Communication
  Do the coach's words and actions communicate positive or negative feelings?
  Does the coach know when to talk and when to listen?
  
  
• Consistency
  Does the coach punish one youngster but not another for the same behavior?
  Is the coach hypocritical, saying one thing and then doing another?
  
  
• Respect
  Do the players respect and listen to what the coach says?
  Do the players look up to the coach as a person to emulate?
  
  
• Enthusiasm
  Does the coach demonstrate enthusiasm, for coaching baseball?
  Does the coach know how to build enthusiasm among the players?

No One Is Perfect

There are several ways to learn more about your child's coach. Don't feel you are snooping; you are fulfilling your obligation as a responsible parent!

1. Talk with the coach to find out answers to the questions in the checklist.
2. Observe the coach in practice and games.
3. Talk with other parents who have had children play under this coach.

Remember, no coach will be perfect (just as you are not a perfect parent), but you need to be satisfied that your child's coach meets some minimum standards.

Dealing With Unsatisfactory Coaching

Parents often have a difficult time dealing with their child's coach when they decide that he or she is coaching in a unsatisfactory way. Thoughtful parents are reluctant to interfere and hesitant to remove their child from the team. Children may resent being forced to quit; they fear losing face and may enjoy the sport so much that they want to continue participating in spite of a poor coach. Parents must use good judgment in such situations, communicating with both the child and the coach to resolve the problem.

We recommend that you begin by discussing the problem with the coach. Explain your concern and then listen to the coach's perspective.

If the problem with the coach is not severe, consider taking special steps with your child explain the coach's unsatisfactory behavior when it occurs. When children have help to recognize negative behavior, they often can learn positive lessons. For example, if the coach throws a temper tantrum whenever a player makes an error, help your child understand that this reaction is the coach's problem of self-control. Explain that mistakes are part of learning. Make it clear that you value the improvement your child continues to show, despite the coach's negative reactions. This intervention requires wise counsel and time on your part to avoid pitting your child against the coach's methods or philosophy.

If discussing the issue with the coach does not resolve the problem, then you need to consider going to your local Little League officials. If they cannot remedy the problem to your satisfaction, then determine the feasibility of transferring your daughter or son to another team.

If all these fail, and you consider the problem to be bad enough, you may need to remove your child from Little League. If the coach's actions are illegal, then of course you need to contact the appropriate legal authorities.

Helping Your Child's Coach

Remember that most coaches are striving to do the best they can. You can help make the coach's job a bit easier, as well as help your child enjoy Little League more, by doing the following things:

1. Let your child know you support his or her participation in Little League. Get involved volunteer your time in the league, practice with your athlete, attend games, and show that you care.
2. Provide your child with proper equipment and encourage its correct use.
3. Monitor your child's participation so that you know how your child is developing.
4. Do not interfere with the coach unless the coach has clearly erred.
5. Keep the coach informed if your child is injured or ill.
6. Make certain your child is sleeping and eating property.
7. Help the coach when asked to do so. You might be needed to raise funds, drive kids to games, keep score, or even be an assistant coach.
8. Keep control of yourself show by your example how you want your child to behave on and off the field.
   

© Copyright 1993, Human Kinetics Publishers, Inc.