A Note from Mike

Managing Expectation

One of the most important coaching topics we discussed this fall, both as a board and as an HYAA community at our meetings, is the importance of communication. Specifically - managing expectations for your players and parents. 

Given that we’re a youth sports organization, the first and most important target for that communication is the parents, who drop off, pick up, watch games (and practices…)

As a coach, first off, make sure you and your assistants agree on the standards you want to set, and the expectations for the team. And then communicate that to the parents. In my experience, the best delivery is a two-shot deal: a TeamSnap message so it’s in writing, and then gathering the parents before your first game, or around your first practice. 

That’s when you want to tell them to please arrive ahead of time for practices/games with their child’s sneakers/cleats tied, proper uniform, water bottle; tell them any rules you have around missing practices vs. playing in games; remind them that during games, the best thing they can do is cheer on their kid and the team – coaching from the sideline is not helpful. And any other standards, subbing policy, etc. Best to get that all out there from the start. 

Equally, set the standards for your players too. Obviously for really young kids, that’s a hard ask – just getting them to listen for more than 10 seconds is a challenge. But a few simple rules that you reinforce can go a long way. For the older players, setting the standard for behavior/effort at practice, games, etc is really important. Set in the stone at the start of the season. Put it in writing. Have them read it, sign it. 

The older the players are, usually, the more important this kind of expectation setting is. 

At any age level, though, issues are likely going to come up during the season, whether it’s with a parent or a player. Setting and communicating the standards at the start of the season helps tremendously in managing them during the season. 

Communication is tough but it’s one of the most important responsibilities of the head coach. And in the end, over-communicating (vs. under) will help in managing the already heavy load coaches carry, and will help avoid the kind of set-backs that can impact a season, whether it’s a scheduling, uniform, conduct issue, and so on.. 

Lord knows I’ve screwed this up more times than I’ve nailed it. I think with each passing year I understood a bit better the importance of communication and managing expectations. And when a certain player came to practice/game with their cleats untied, the wrong jersey, late, and no water, at least I could say to myself that my coaches and I made clear that this was not what we had in mind! (And by the way, I know I’ve been that parent too). 

Have a great holiday season and a happy New Year. - Mike