Preseason Parent Meeting
All coaches are required to establish effective lines of communication with team parents by holding a orientation meeting. This may take the form of a casual discussion combined with an early team practice. The time you invest here will pay dividends for everyone concerned throughout the season.
Purpose of a Parent Orientation Meeting
• Enables parents to understand the objectives and goals of the program.
• Enables parents to become acquainted with you, the coach
• Informs parents about the nature (and inherent risks) of the sport.
• Informs parents of your expectations of them and of their children.
• Enables you to address any concerns of the parents.
• Establishes clear lines of communication between you, parents, and players.
• Allows you to obtain parental support (assistant coaches, team parents, etc.)
Things to Consider when Organizing the Meeting
• Be prepared and be organized to conduct the meeting efficiently.
• Hold it early in the season, preferably before the first team practice.
• Having the players present is optional, but encouraged.
• Prepare any handouts you would like to distribute, for example:
i. Team roster
ii. Club rules
iii. Team goals
iv. Outline of the meeting
Important Points to Cover
Coach Introduction
• Introduce yourself and assistant coaches (or ask for volunteers at this time)
• Give some background information about yourself (why you are coaching, experience)
Coaching Philosophy
• Discuss what you consider to be the value of the sport
• Discuss your methods for teaching skills
• State the importance you assign to having fun and developing skills
• state the importance you assign to winning and losing
• Discuss any team rules and guidelines, disciplinary procedures
• Discuss your philosophy regarding player rotation, substitution, playing time
• Specifics of the program
• Practice schedule (how many per week? how long?)
• Game schedule (how many? when do they begin?)
• Minimum playing time (what is the rule in your local club?)
• Equipment required
• Inherent risks (soccer is a contact sport, albeit a relatively safe one)
Team Management
• Ask for volunteers as assistant coaches
• Ask for volunteers as team parents (snacks schedule, help with nets/flags)
• set up telephone tree and / or car pooling system
Coaches Responsibilities
• Demonstrate leadership and good sportsmanship
• Treat each player fairly
• Have organized practices and teach soccer fundamentals appropriate to the age group
• Provide a safe environment
• Contribute positively to the development of each players’ self-esteem
• Help each player set individual and team goals that are attainable
• Give parents a schedule of practices and games in a timely fashion
• Allow each player to play half of every game
• Respect the referees, know the rules, and conduct yourself in a controlled manner on the field
Player Responsibilities
• Attend practices/games regularly, and arrive on time
• Bring proper equipment to each practice and game
• Inform the coach in advance if it is necessary to miss a practice of game
• Make each practice challenging
• Work toward good sportsmanship and teamwork
• Respect the referees
• Be supportive of teammates all of the time
Parent Responsibilities
• Transport your child to and from practice and games on time
• Be supportive of all the players (criticism does not improve performance)
• Help your child understand that he/she is contributing to a team effort
• Focus on mastering skills and having fun, not winning
• Avoid material rewards for your child (the reward is the fun of playing)!
• Attend games and cheer the team on
• Refrain from criticizing the opponents; be positive with all players
• Respect the referees (They will make mistakes, but they are doing their best. If you feel you are better qualified, see your club’s referee coordinator-he/she could easily find work for you)
• Refrain from coaching your child during games (try to understand and respect the difference between the roles of the coach and parent)
• Answer Any Question From The Parents