A good preseason meeting provides a forum for parents to have their questions and concerns answered.
Here are twenty questions parents should consider asking coaches at a preseason meeting:
-
How much training do you have (i.e. do you have a coach's license or certificate)?
-
Will a properly equipped first-aid kit be brought to all practices and competitions?
-
Will an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and someone with up-to-date certification and training in first-aid, sports safety, and the use of an automatic external defibrillator be present at all practices and competitions?
-
Will someone with a cell phone be at all practices and games?
-
Do you have an emergency medical plan in place, and, if so, who will be responsible for calling the EMTs if necessary?
-
What is the league's policy regarding minimum playing time?
-
What will be your policy regarding playing time?
-
What should we do as parents if we notice that our child is not getting the minimum playing time?
-
What tournaments are you planning for the team to enter and how much are they going to cost?
-
Will you be in contact with parents during the season to give progress reports,
-
What is the best way to contact you?
-
What type of volunteer help do you need?
-
Will you agree to set clear boundaries to prevent the possibility of abuse or harassment?
-
Do you follow a two-adult rule to eliminate the possibility of sexual abuse?
-
Will you agree not to allow the hazing of athletes?
-
If you cannot make a game, will you let us know who is going to be the coach?
-
What is your policy regarding missed practices or games (i.e. what are circumstances in which it is acceptable for your child to miss a game, such as for a family wedding etc.)?
-
Do you plan to emphasize having fun and skill development, and if not, why not?
-
Will you agree to never emotionally abuse players, such as by angrily yelling at players for making mistakes?
-
Will you agree to respect officials and not, for example, angrily yell at them for making what you believe to be bad calls?
