Practice Time Is Team Time …what are reasonable expectations for individual instruction from a youth coach?

As parents, it important that we recognize that Team practices are just that …for training the Team.  If a player needs extra work in developing specific skills, that takes place before practice, after practice or outside the team practice environment.

Coaches are Volunteers

We must remember that our coaches are moms and dads, just like us, who are volunteering their time to give our kids a chance to play. Our coaches are not professionals. Just keeping a dozen kids coordinated, busy and having fun throughout a 90-minute practice is a challenge.

Asking a volunteer coach, right before practice, in an email, etc., “Could you spend a few minutes during practice working with Tyson on pitching”, may not seem like much.  When a coach works individually with one player, they are in effect turning their back on 11 other players (kids of 11 sets of other parents).  Also, during this time, the coaching staff is likely cut by a third or a half.    

It is perfectly reasonable to ask a coach if they could make time to give a player extra help.  When we ask a coach if they could show up 10 minutes early or stay 10 minutes after a practice, they will appreciate you recognizing that their time during practice is focused on the team.

Individual Skills Are Developed Outside of Team Practice Time

Next, suggest to the coach that you observe while they are working with your child, so you can take work with your child after that time so generously provided by the coach.  It is important to understand that no coach has a magic wand and the power to instantly fix a player.  The individual instruction a player receives is only step one (this includes time spent with a private instructor).  The important part of improving skills is taking the instruction and practicing what was taught, following the one-on-one time. 

The role of a coach is to serve as a guide.  Individual skill development is the responsibility of the player (and their parents).  Look at successful athletes at all levels of sports.  What one thing to they have in common?  They work tirelessly on their skill development outside of team practice time. 

Helping Our Kids Get Better

We all want our kids to improve. The best way to do that is to attend practice(s) and make some mental notes on key teaching points.  Then spend time with your child outside of the Team practice helping them develop their Individual skills.  This also gives us an opportunity to spend time with our child in a positive and constructive activity.

COACHES, YOUR INPUT ON THIS SUBJECT IS VERY VALUABLE.  Please share comments on the subject. Tell a story of parents asking for help in a thoughtful manner or when requests for help have not taken a coach’s responsibility (and time) to the team into consideration.