High Performance Parent Expectations
Parents have long been central to the success of sports programs. The High Performance teams enjoy an unusually high level of encouragement and sportsmanship from members of their extended family, including parents, siblings, school coaches and fans. We welcome the chance to continue that tradition of support.
COMMUNICATING WITH COACHES
High Performance coaches have been in your shoes: we are parents of student athletes and know first-hand the joys and frustrations that can accompany that relationship. We are glad to speak with you about your daughter, but ask that you:
- Insist that your daughter try to work out volleyball-related issues directly with her coach before enlisting your assistance. Learning to deal with authority figures is one of the supreme benefits of participation in organized sports.
- Discuss all concerns with the volleyball coaching staff first before contacting the club administrator or discussing it with others.
- Avoid jumping to conclusions. Remember that some teenagers tend to exaggerate both when praised and criticized, and that decisions about complicated issues like playing time are usually the product of many factors.
- Remember that independence through athletics is critical in a child's development. Parents should consider the value of stepping back to "release their child" to their sport, except where there is clear evidence of physical or emotional concerns.
THE 24/48 RULE
If you are concerned about a volleyball-related issue that requires you to speak directly with a coach, we ask that you wait at least 24 hours after the triggering event. But then deal with the issue at hand in the next 48 hours or forever drop it. Please make an appointment with the coach/coaches and in a civilized manner approach and solve the issue at hand.
Cooler heads are inevitably more productive. We always enjoy chatting with parents at the conclusion of matches, but cannot address non-emergency issues at that time. We also cannot interrupt practice sessions.
WORDS OF WISDOM
"There are appropriate and inappropriate subjects that a parent can discuss with a coach. Appropriate ones are mental and physical treatment of the child, ways to help the child improve and the child's behavior. Inappropriate ones are playing time, strategy and other team members."-- Bruce Brown
"There are four positions on an athletic field: spectator, referee, coach, and player. You get to choose one and only one."-- Bruce Brown
SPORTSMANSHIP
All parents (and players) are expected to demonstrate the highest level of sportsmanship while representing the High Performance Volleyball Club. Please cheer for our team’s efforts and successes. Parents and other fans should never celebrate our opponents’ mistakes.
- While in the gymnasium, keep all comments positive—remember, you are sitting among parents from the other clubs. Please do not compare the skill or attitude of your daughter out loud with other members of the team.
- Volleyball officials are off-limits for parents. Refrain from yelling at the referees—before, during and after the match—no matter what the perceived error or injustice. The High Performance coaches believe players must learn to perform under adversity, and to not waste emotion or effort on things not within their control.
- Take the time to learn more about volleyball rules and strategy. What sometimes seems like a blown call or a poor coaching decision often looks much different if you have a more detailed appreciation for the nuances of this sometimes-complicated sport.
- Consider it a sign of trouble if a player looks into the stands repeatedly for parental approval or disapproval during a game.
For additional resources regarding positive and effective parenting click on the “RESOURCES” button on the right hand side.
High Performance Volleyball Club would like to thank Leslie and Jack Hamann as well as the Garfield Volleyball for giving us permission to use and change their intellectual material for our club purposes. To view the original material of Garfield Volleyball, please visit their site.
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