Youth Sports Coaching Tip - Outline Expectations for Your Athletes

As the coach of a youth sports team, it is your responsibility to outline the expectations and

team rules for your players at the beginning of the season. You want to make sure everyone is

on the same page and the rules very clear from the get-go so there is no cause for tension or

confusion between you and your players or their parents. If you outline the expectations

upfront you’ll help prevent any issues down the road.

Here are 3 things every coach should fully explain at the beginning of every season:

1. What happens if a player misses a practice or a game?

At the beginning of the season, clearly identify the consequences of missing a practice or a

game, and if there are any excuses that aren’t acceptable. Explain that conflicts are going to

come up and you understand, but that players who miss a practice will have to sit out the next

game (or whatever scenario you deem appropriate). Do keep in mind that this is youth sports,

and certain things (like school) should always come first. Life is bound to happen; kids get sick

or have a conflicting activity scheduled, so try to be understanding when doling out the

punishment. You don’t want to come across as unfair.

2. What kind of player (and parent) behavior is appropriate?

Above all, youth sports should focus on teaching sportsmanship and how to be a team player.

Let your players know you will not tolerate any kind of taunting or bullying behavior (amongst

your players or directed at the opposing team) and that they are to treat officials with respect

even if they don’t agree with the call. Remember that you are their coach and that puts you in a

unique position to shape the way your players act on and off the field.

This also means that you have to practice what you preach. You can’t scream at the officials,

other coaches or parents and expect your players to not emulate you actions. You also have to

hold the parents accountable. Every team is going to have one of “those sports parents” that

can get a little too rowdy on the sidelines, and it’s your job as the coach to remind them of how

they should act.

3. What do you expect from a practice?

Make it very clear that practices are just as important as the games. You expect your players to

stay focused during a drill and execute it to their best of their abilities. It’s ok to make mistakes

in practice, that’s how you get better, but you expect your athletes to take their practice time

seriously. Chances are you are a volunteer, and you’re time is just as valuable as your players

and their parents. You deserve a focused team during practice.

If you can lay out the team rules beforehand, you eliminate confusion down the road. You can’t

expect players to live up to your expectations if they don’t know what they are! Having rules

like this in place makes sure everyone is on the same page.

About the Author

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