Coaches and playing time

The parent’s role

A parent does not need to become a coach to matter. They can listen before analysing, ask what help is wanted, protect time outside sport, and discuss family constraints without turning investment into emotional debt. The guides below address specific moments: pressure, mistakes, the bench, coach conversations, motivation, serious sport, and college decisions.

• Parent-coach boundaries in youth sports

  Practical guidance for parent-coach boundaries in youth sports, with questions, criteria and a clear next step.

• How to handle playing-time conversations

  Practical guidance for how to handle playing-time conversations, with questions, criteria and a clear next step.

• What to do when your child is not getting playing time

  Practical guidance for what to do when your child is not getting playing time without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• How to help a child adjust to a stronger team

  Practical guidance for how to help a child adjust to a stronger team without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• Should parents talk to the coach about playing time?

  Practical guidance for should parents talk to the coach about playing time? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• What to do when your child is not selected for the team

  Practical guidance for what to do when your child is not selected for the team without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• How to help your child handle competition for a starting spot

  Practical guidance for how to help your child handle competition for a starting spot without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• When should a sports parent talk to the coach?

  Practical guidance for when should a sports parent talk to the coach? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• What should parents ask a youth sports coach?

  Practical guidance for what should parents ask a youth sports coach? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• What should parents leave to the coach?

  Practical guidance for what should parents leave to the coach? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• How to disagree with your child’s coach

  Practical guidance for how to disagree with your child’s coach without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• How to talk to a coach after a concern

  Practical guidance for how to talk to a coach after a concern without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• When should young athletes start speaking to coaches themselves?

  Practical guidance for when should young athletes start speaking to coaches themselves? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.

• Should parents contact college coaches?

  Practical guidance for should parents contact college coaches? without taking ownership of the athlete’s sport.