Every kid is different, and you can’t coach them all the same. This simple strategy will help you gain valuable insight into the lives of your players that will help you coach them more effectively.
How helpful to you would it be if you were to ask the parent(s) this question: “Tell me one thing about your child that would help me to coach them well?”
Let the parents know this should have nothing to do with the 1st Dimension. Rather, have them tell you about their temperament, relationships with siblings, or special characteristics etc. that need to be addressed/acknowledged/honored.
Strategy Overview:
This strategy can help in the following ways:
- It can shed light on the relationship that exists between parent and child
- It creates a partnership between coach and parent. The parents now feel properly valued
- It sends a powerful message to parents that their child is valued beyond performance
- It helps you coach the individual athlete better.
Suggestions for implementation:
- Hand out notecards at parent meeting and collect them
- Handwrite letters to parents and ask for a specific way to respond
- Email parents and have them respond
- Ask this question face-to-face in individual meetings
Responses