Players: How to Handle Coach Problems

Reprinted from Coaching Youth Sports newsletter by Richard K. Stratton, PhD.

Dr. Richard K. Stratton, PhD. (Florida State University) has been the motor learning and sport psychology specialist at Virginia Tech for the past 20 years. Between his Masters and Doctoral studies he taught physical education and coached four sports at Appling County (GA) Middle School. His primary interests are the developmental aspects of information processing and motivation and stress in youth sport participants.

Players: How to Handle Coach Problems

Do you dread going to practice?

Do you come up with excuses so that you do not have to go to practice or have to leave practice early?

Are you not getting enough playing time?

Do the other kids on the team pick on you and make fun of you when you are practicing or playing and your coach doesn't do anything to stop them?

Do you believe that your coach doesn't have a clue?

Have you thought seriously about dropping out because you are not having any fun?

If any of these sound familiar to you, you need to take action. Things will not change unless you try to do something about them. But, what should you do? Are you afraid to talk to your coach because you think it will only make the problem worse? Are you afraid to tell your parents because you believe they will just defend the coach or that your parents will make the coach mad at you?

You must set these fears aside. If at all possible you must talk with your coach about the problem. You should ask the coach for a short meeting with you. When you meet with the coach, explain the problem clearly, using examples if at all possible. Ask the coach to help resolve the problem. If you are not satisfied with your coach's response, you should talk to your parents. In some cases, you may have to start with parents. Explain the problem to your parents. Don't use phrases like "the coach just doesn't like me" or "the coach sucks". They don't really tell your parents anything. If your parents do not usually watch practice, you might invite them to attend a practice to see the problem for themselves. If the problem occurs during games, make sure your parent understands what the problem is. Decide with your parents whether you want them to meet with the coach with you or without you. After your parents meet with your coach, discuss the proposed solution with them. Make sure the solution is satisfactory, remembering that many solutions to problems require that every one involved work actively at fixing the problem. Approach your next game or practice with a positive attitude.