The Parent’s Role in Athletics
Proactive Coaching
www.proactivecoaching.info
Before the First Game
Questions
• Why do you play?
• What will you consider a successful season?
• What role do you expect to play?
• Goals?
Shared expectations – See the big picture
Meet their needs not ours
Before the First Game
Release the athlete – Trusting the experience to
them
• Sharing in the credit
• Solving all the problems
• Continue to coach them
• Being critical of officials
• Excuses
• Avoidance
During the Game
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be there
Model appropriate behavior
Focus on the team
One instructional voice
Four Roles – choose one
After the Game
Time and Space to recover
• More approval than advice
• Save your analysis
• Let them bring the game to you
• Value not tied to performance
• Be a confidence builder
Additional Thoughts and Questions
• Stages of being an athlete
• Fast forward to the last game they play
• Things that cause kids to lose their natural
love of playing
• What is their identity?
• Coaching your own child
www.proactivecoaching.info
Other Proactive Materials for Parents
or Athletes
www.proactivecoaching.info
Booklets
• Life Lessons for Athletes
• Captains – Seven Ways to Lead Your Team
• Compete – Traits of Elite Competitors
• Youth Coaching – Keys to a Successful Season
• Teach Attitude First