Sportsmanship

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 other and provide greater benefit to children. As parents whose children are involved in our athletic 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

1. The coach’s philosophy
2. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the team.
3. Locations and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e., fees, special equipment, off-seasoning conditioning
5. Procedures that are followed should your child be injured during participation.
6. Disciplinary procedures that results in the denial of your child’s participation.

Communication coaches expect from parents

1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance of the practice or event.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach’s philosophy and expectations.

As your children become involved in the programs at their school, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there may also be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, we encourage discussion with the coach.

Appropriate concerns to discuss with coaches

1. The treatment of your child, mentally and physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. 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 students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child’s coach. Other things must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches

1. Playing time.
2. Team strategy.
3. Play calling.
4. Other student participants.

Your child should speak to the coach about an issue, before you intervene. This will help our Student-Athletes grow into young adults.

There are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the others position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

1. Never approach a coach before or immediately after a contest or practice. This is not the proper time or place for a discussion concerning your child or the team.
2. Email is not always the most effective way to discuss issues with a coach, however it is a starting point.
3. Raise your concern in a calm and civil manner. Yelling, being rude or using foul language is totally unacceptable.
4. Once you have stated your question or concern, listen to the explanation. Often a parent may be blinded by emotion and this overrides logic and reason. Listening receptively may really help you to understand any explanation which is given.

 

1. Call/email and set up an appointment with the Athletic Director to discuss the situation. The AD will only intervene if the issue has already been discussed with the coach.
2. At this meeting the appropriate next step can be determined.

Sportsmanship Integrity, fairness, and respect are the lifetime values taught through athletics, and these are the principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of the competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations, and grateful acceptance of the results. A good sport, whether a student, or a parent, is a true leader within the school and our community.

Expectations

1. Adhere to the PIAA, NFHS, and DASD policies at all times.
2. Encourage our student -athletes to perform their best with positive cheers.
3. Respect our opponents as student - athletes and acknowledge them for striving to do their best.
4. Promote good sportsmanship by supporting the officials in a positive manner realizing they are an essential part of every contest.
5. Respect the task our coaches face as teachers; and support them as they strive to educate our youth.
6. Encourage sportsmanlike conduct with class, dignity, and respect towards any coach, player, participant, official, parent, or any other attendee under all circumstances.

Profanity, booing, or heckling, inappropriate remarks of gestures, yelling at a student - athlete by name/number, repeatedly yelling at an official or yelling at a coach during a game. is unacceptable and will not be tolerated