PARENT - COACH COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES

Parent/Coach Relationship
Both parenting and coaching are extremely difficult vocations. By establishing an understanding of each position, we are better able to accept the actions of the other and provide greater benefit to student-athletes. As parents, when your child becomes involved in our program, you have a right to understand what expectations are placed on your child. This begins with clear communication from the coach of your child's team.

Communication You Should Expect From Your Child's Coach
1. Philosophy of the coach.
2. Expectations the coach has for your child, as well as all the players on the team.
3. Location and times of all practices and contests.
4. Team requirements, i.e. fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning.

Communication Coaches Expect From Parents
1. Concerns expressed directly to the coach.
2. Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance.
3. Specific concern in regard to a coach's philosophy and/or expectations.

As your children become involved in the programs at Mundelein High School, they will experience some of the most rewarding moments of their lives. It is important to understand that there also may be times when things do not go the way you or your child wishes. At these times, discussion with the coach is encouraged.

Appropriate Concerns to Discuss with Coaches
1. The treatment of your child mentally and physically.
2. Ways to help your child improve.
3. Concerns about your child's behavior.

It is very difficult to accept your child's not playing as much as you may hope otherwise. Coaches are professionals. they make judgment decisions based on what they believe to be best for all students involved. As you have seen from the list above, certain things can be and should be discussed with your child's coach. Other things, such as those listed below, must be left to the discretion of the coach.

Issues Not Appropriate to Discuss With Coaches
1. Playing time
2. Team strategy
3. Play calling
4. Other student-athletes

These are situations that may require a conference between the coach and the parent. These are to be encouraged. It is important that both parties involved have a clear understanding of the other's position. When these conferences are necessary, the following procedure should be followed to help promote a resolution to the issue of concern.

If You Have a Concern to Discuss with a Coach, the Procedure You Should Follow:
1. Call to set up an appointment.
2. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Office at ext. 340.
3. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice. These can be emotional times for both parent and the coach. Meetings of this nature usually do not promote resolution.

The Next Step
What Can a Parent Do if the Meeting with the Coach did not provide a Satisfactory Resolution
1. Call and set up an appointment with the Athletic Office to discuss the situation.
2. At this meeting, the appropriate next step can be determined.

Research indicates a student involved in extra-curricular activities has a greater chance of success during adulthood. Therefore, these programs have been established. Many of the character traits required to be a successful participant are exactly those that will promote a successful life after high school. We hope the information provided within this page makes both your child's and your experience with the Mundelein High School Athletic Program less stressful and more enjoyable.



Expectations of Mundelein High School Athletes
•  Make and keep commitments on and off-season.
•  Follow rules of team, school and athletic code.
•  Be coachable.
•  Demonstrate good sportmanship.

Expectations of Mundelein High School Parents
•  Be supportive-reinforce the lessons taught by the coaching staff.
•  Read, understand, discuss, and most of all, monitor the Athletic Code of Conduct
•  Attend Pre-season parent meetings.
•  Be positive - athletes, coaches and staff need encouragement in good times and in bad.

Expectations of Mundelein High School Coaches
•  Promote and teach good sportmanship.
•  Communicate with athletes and parents.
•  Be a great teacher of the game, and help atletes set goals for performance improvement.
•  Be enthusiastic - motivate through support and a positive attitude.