Communication Guidelines

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AHHS ATHLETICS
PARENT / COACH COMMUNICATION PLAN

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 benefits to 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 that you should expect from your child’s coach:

1. Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all the players on the squad
2. Locations and times of all practices and contests
3. Team requirements, i.e., practices, special equipment, out-of-season conditioning etc….
4. Discipline that may result 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

As your child becomes involved in the programs at Alamo Heights, 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:

1. The treatment of your child
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 the 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, such as those following, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues not appropriate to discuss with coaches:

1. Playing time
2. Team Strategy
3. Other student-athletes

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 clear understanding of the other’s position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedures should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue or concern.

If there is a concern to discuss with a coach, the procedure you should follow:

1. Please encourage your child to speak directly with the coach, many times this can take care of the problem
2. Call to set up an appointment
3. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Director at 210-820-8855
4. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature do no promote resolution
5. 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