parent meeting

-Expectations for players and parents.
-Fundraising plans, if any, and what the money would go toward.
-How the season will lay-out.
-As a new parent, I'd want to hear something about the coach's background and philosophy.
-The sort of involvement that will be expected or needed.
-How discipline will be handled, if needed.

That sort of stuff.

I would hope a coach starts with statements that lay down the law about negative parent participation. Maybe this not what a parent wants to hear.....but it is something they need to hear.

Let them know that THEY did not make the team so their part of the program is as a fan.

Let them know that negative attitudes on their part will be felt at home only and not in the locker room. So why create it.

End with..............

All the positive things that parents can bring to a program.

Funny, we've never had a pre-season parent meeting. After tryouts the players show up at home with their fundraiser letter and game schedule in hand.

Walah,...guess that pretty much takes the parents out of the picture and leaves them standing in the background,...where quite honestly I think we should be. Either that or sittin' out in center field,...with our mouths duck taped! tee-hee.
It works for me!

Our teams always had parent meetings during the season. Before the season started they held individual meetings including the coaches, player and parent. They told you where your son fit in and what they expected from both parent and player.

Son second year of HS BB. As of yet not one parent metting.

My sons were fortunate enough to have a great high school coach. He never had a parents meeting; didn't need to-it was his show. Period.

Never had a meeting such as you speak of for any of my boys in HS---they just went and played---no booster clubs either

We have no dugout club (booster org.), but we do have a pre-season parent meeting. It creates harmony and great support for the program, the coach, and the kids. The sense of community is enhanced, and as a result there's far less sniping and unhappiness. Coach communicates his thoughts and plans, parents listen, we all eat a bowl of chili and chat excitedly about the season. Veteran parents and players socialize with rookies and officially welcome them. The end! Works for us.

That is a good way to start the season...everyone is on the same page.

I'll bet that meeting busted up pretty quick after the chili was eaten.

Every year I post this but we have a parent's meeting. We do so after the team is picked. We use this as an opportunity to collect sports fees, distribute our schedules, discuss our code of conduct, sell our hats, and invite the parents to come watch a practice. We also do this so that we all understand what our program is about. We introduce the coaching staff, answer a few questions and then let them go on their merry way.

What about the chili Coach?

I'd love to do that. I do know of one program that does chili and then just passes out handouts. Probably a better idea than me talking.

My boys HS had a Spring Sports meeting. After teams were picked, every spring sport team parents had to attend, and sign in. The AD went over the basics, you must ride the bus to and from, your kid may not play every inning, match, and so on. Then the booster club got their 15 mins, and pointed out the table to buy club cards, clothes and the like.

Afterwards each sport got a corner of the lunchroom to talk with their coach. Our coach had everyone introduce themselves, told a bit about himself and his assistants. He also would say that practices were open for parents to watch. I asked him about that after having read so many closed practices here on HSBBWEB, and he said "four years are so short, enjoy your son"

I asked him why he had open practices and he said "what do I have to hide?" We had a hill, so was not like parents were on or near the fence.

I guess as a parent, I would like to know if it is ok to come to practice, if not, what time to pick up my freshman non driving student and where.

What is expected of me as a parent. Are there fundraisers? Team meals? Field work days?

I guess some coaches would balk at some of those, but when the guy sitting there owns a bushhog, another guy or gal's brother works at XYZ that can and will donate this or that, or install your scoreboard, or has an uncle who is a groundskeeper at a minor or MLB park... all the coach has to do is throw it out there.... with the understanding he is the coach, who will play to win.

quote:

" four years are so short, enjoy your son "

Ain't it so, aint it so!!!
Take in EVERY moment!!!

For what it's worth...I've held a meeting every year since I became a head coach.

For the Freshman parents, I hold one BEFORE we get started with P&C's and tryouts. This lets them know what's expected, how things will be run, when they will be run, what to do if their son makes it and what to do if their son doesn't. And that they can still play on our summer team if they want; and that getting cut as a 9th grader doesn't mean they can't come out and get a fair shot as a Sophomore.

For the upper classmen, we hold a meeting AFTER cuts are made to hand out schedules, team rules, etc., and to tell the parents about what their jobs are and/or what help can be used with field work, donations, concession, etc. And to introduce our coaching staff to those parents who don't already know us.

Everyone should run their team their own way, but I guess I just kind of scratch my head at those coaches who say "Parents meeting? Why have a parents meeting? I'm in charge and I don't need to talk to these people, EVER"....that to me smells of a lack of self-confidence and a suspicious nature regarding ALL parents.

My thought is that about 90% of parents are good folks who want their son to do well and wish the coach well. The other 10% need to be dealt with UP FRONT to steal any thunder they might have. If you don't ferret them out and remove their "weapons", they may well sit in the bleachers and cause problems with other parents.

I did this one year, and at the meeting I talked to a parent who I knew was a bit of a problem from his son's JV years and in other sports. I let him know how I felt and what would not be acceptable. He could either keep his negative comments to himself or he could go elsewhere. He said sometimes he just couldn't control himself. So he chose to spend pretty much every game down one foul line, by himself. At the end of the season, he had nothing bad to say and remained friendly with all the other parents.

I can see a coach choosing not to have a parents meeting, but I don't understand why some coaches think that having one in some way gives up control or shows some kind of weakness. Maybe someone who is against these meetings can fill me in.

I agree TCB. I'd love to know why a coach wouldn't attempt to recruit parents to support him and his program, and form a positive community around the players. Maybe some have had a bad experience with parents and have decided to exclude them entirely? I'm sort of baffled by it, honestly.

Thanks for all of the replies. We generally do all of the things discussed. I hold ours in the morning....maybe pancakes and sausage instead of chili. We pass out schedules, discuss spring break, practice schedules, etc. It also allows the new (freshman) parents to meet the coaches and others that are in the program. We go over player, parent, and coach expectations. Any fundraiser info. I expect our players to handle the fundraiser. I just tell the parents what we are doing.

We too have open practice. I just ask that the parents not distract practice by visiting with the players while they are working out.