One of the most critical aspects of developing the team culture you want is gaining buy-in from players' parents. A group meeting with parents is a wise investment, because people tend to live up to expectations if they know what those expectations are.
Host your parent meeting in a private setting (such as the home of one of the coaches or parents), where you can have the full attention of the group. If this is not possible, then the meeting could occur before one of the first practices or games when parents would need to drop off their children anyway.
Following is a sample agenda and notes to help guide your parent meeting.
Welcome and Introductions
Share how excited you are about the upcoming season and having their children on your team. Explain your relevant background as an athlete, coach, parent, and community member.
Learn more about the parents, too. You may say something like, "We're going to spend a lot of time together so let's get to know each other." You may then ask each person to share a favorite memory from their sports experience.
Coaching Philosophy/Team Values
Explain your values as a Responsible Coach and hand out the Positive Coaching Alliance Parent Letter (Download your copy)
The letter describes three principles:
- Honoring the Game through the code of ROOTS (where ROOTS stands for respecting Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self)
- Filling the Emotional Tank (aiming for the "Magic Ratio" of five truthful, specific praises for every specific, constructive criticism)
- The ELM Tree of Mastery (where ELM stands for Effort, Learning and Mistakes are OK, which helps players strive to master football rather than worrying about the implications of mistakes)
Ask for parents' support in building a team culture that reinforces those principles.
Goals and Hopes for the Season
In addition to goals such as winning and qualifying for post-season, share such goals as, "Every player" will:
- love football at least as much at the end of the season as at the beginning
- improve skills and tactical knowledge
- get chances to compete in meaningful situations
- want to return next season.
Ask parents about their goals and hopes for the season. This may give insight into the player's motivation. You also will begin to discern who will be most helpful and supportive of your goals, and who may present a potential problem. You don't have to respond to everything right then - you can think about it and talk with parents later if they express goals that are inconsistent with your values.
Logistics
Make sure everyone has practice and game schedules. Hand out a phone and e-mail list (or get parents to sign up on a list for distribution later). Make sure they understand what equipment their children need, and leave plenty of time for questions.
Share your policy on playing time and missing practice, which will help avoid future conflict. Let parents know when they can contact you (at work during the day, only in the evening, etc.)
Ask for Volunteers
Your parent meeting is a good time to find volunteers for any duties you need help with, such as a snack or car-pool coordinator. This provides another chance to see who is most (and least) enthusiastic to support the Responsible Sports culture you are trying to establish.
This article isthe ninth in a series of articles created exclusively for USA Football as part of Responsible Sports. This national program brings together USA Football, Liberty Mutual and Positive Coaching Alliance in an effort to benefit millions of youth athletes, parents and coaches.