Progress reports:
I don’t think a monthly report is necessary – coaches are busy and wouldn’t have new information each month. I do think at least once or twice a year a detailed progress report should be provided. It would be nice to know the coaches views of my daughter’s/son’s goals, strengths, challenges, likely level for next season, and any issues that I can help with or should know about. Progress report should be provided to the parent a few days prior to a meeting with the coaches so that questions can be discussed.
Immediate communications:
Certain issues should be addressed immediately. Don’t wait until the progress report to tell a parent their child is just goofing off at practice, being disruptive, needs more rest,... whatever else a parent can help fix.
Injuries:
Let parents know when a child has been injured during practice – especially head injury. Let the parent know what the head hit and with what force. My son injured his head twice at gymnastics. The first time was a year ago hit his head doing double front from tramp into the pit – he opened up and hit the back of his head between the floor and the pit. He had a severe concussion and lost his short term memory for three days. He hit his head a few weeks ago on the vault. When my son told me about it on the drive home (no coach mentioned it), I just thought he hit the padded top of the vault. He actually hit the metal leg/base of the vault. For some reason the pad that covers the leg was not on it. When my son told me I think I have a concussion, I thought it was just because he had one before and was being over dramatic. I put ice on the bump but really didn’t think much about it because I thought he hit a pad. A week later my son tells me he thinks his concussion is better because he his brain isn’t feeling dizzy and tired anymore. Yes, I felt horrible!! I asked more questions and learned he ended up under the vault table and hit the base. I looked at his head and it wasn’t just a bump but also a scab.
There is more than communication issue here – really need a policy/procedure for each type of injury that all coaches must follow is needed.
Traveling:
When traveling with kids (e.g. like to TOPs Nationals), be sure to communicate to all parents that all arrived safely. Make sure the kids attempt to call home every evening. Don’t ever enforce a rule of no calling home once the kids are away!! Provide a quick update to the parents about how the kids did. Let us know what they did well on and what they didn’t do so well on. When we are at the competition, we see what they didn’t do so well so we know what events to not talk about. Talk to the parents before arranging the travel – get input from parents before arranging flights that are extremely early or late. Parents may be willing to pay more for travel if they don’t have to wake their kid up at 3:30/4:00 AM to get to the airport. Provide the parents information about their children’s schedule while away and when we will likely hear from them. Also provide as much information as possible about meeting location/time for drop offs and pickup of the kids (which airlines, which terminal, where in the airport to meet).
Listen to parents:
Parents know their children better than anyone. Listen to them about what the child may be struggling with, what the child needs regarding rest/eating habits when away from home, fears the child may have…
Don’t share parent/coach communications with the child. If a parent reaches out to you with a concern, they don’t expect their child to be confronted with that concern. Horrifying!!
When a parent sends an email or text, respond as soon as possible that you received the email and will address. If you made a mistake, apologize as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to admit you made a mistake. Learn from your mistakes.
Don’t make parents feel that they can’t communicate with you. If a parent feels they can’t talk to you, you will lose them. Realize that the parent that is talking to you is the one that is usually NOT participating in the negative parent talk.
Coach/ young athlete communications:
Limit teasing!! Kids don’t always understand that you are teasing and their feelings can get hurt easily. Never tease about personal things (their family, home).
Don’t label a child as these labels stick in their head and it can define who they are. Examples: don’t tell them they are not a great tumbler or always say someone is the best tumbler. A child will feel that they can never win on floor. Don’t say “you can never stick a vault.†Don’t say “You are a second chance kid and never do it on the first try.†These things shape how they feel about themselves.
Financial/Schedule Information:
Provide financial and schedule information as soon as possible. If you don’t have the exact information let the parents know this is an estimate. Don’t say it is $720 and then two weeks later tell us it is actually going to be $950. It would be better to tell us it will be about $1000 and we will get you the exact amount as soon as possible.
Get the schedule online. Have one place the parents need to go to get practice and meet schedules.
Communicate successes:
Over communicate successes. Post congratulations for kids that win big meets, make it to TOPs or Future Stars national testing, make a National A or B team. Don't chose favorites and only communicate if your favorite won or made it.
Use Facebook and post on the gym wall. Kids loved to be recognized for their successes.
