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Set the Ground Rules at the Youth Football Parent Meeting.
I believe you need to communicate in every way possible with the parents, but under your terms. I will continue to preach that at the beginning of the youth football year, have your parent meeting. At this meeting, you must explain exactly what you will and will not tolerate. Most of the parents are great or neutral but you need to have some rules for the few jerks you will get.
I always cover of these key points
- When they can ask questions
- When they can’t talk to you
- Sideline behavior in games and practice
- Do not question the Coaches in public
I let then know I am there to answer all questions, but there is a time and a place. While coaching youth football, I do not want parents interrupting games or practices. I make sure I make myself available before practice starts. I get on the field about 45 minutes before practice starts, so that gives them about 30 minutes. That is a great time to let me know what practices will be missed or any other questions a parent may have. I do ask that the 10 minutes before practice starts that I get a chance to talk to my coaches.
I am available after coaching youth football practice, when I am taking the field down and loading up the van.
I then like to go over acceptable behavior on the sidelines. It is great to cheer as loud as you want. It s not Ok to question the officials, game play or the coaches DURING THE YOUTH FOOTBALL GAME. The game and practice time is for the kids and you do not need a jerk taking time from them.
The same goes for questioning a coach’s decision. I do not care if it is a play called, playing time or the particular defense you are in. Unless the parent was involved during the entire week setting up the game plan, they have no idea what your objectives are at any time during the youth football game.
Most parents will not question the game plan to your face, but on occasion, you will get a jerk that pipes up. Please read the “Zero Tolerance” section to see how I handle this situation.
The most complaining you will get, is about playing time or what position the kid is playing, on your youth football team. I make it clear both of these topics are off the table. I will not start justifying to the parents who is playing where and the amount of playing time each player gets.
Your youth football administration will set the playing time rules, just make sure to follow them. If someone questions you, refer him or her to the board.
When a parent questions why their kid plays a certain position I explain to them I have many years of experience and at the youth level it is good for the kids to play a different position than they are used to. If they do stop and keep pushing the issue I simply state, “Listen, you blame me and I blame genetics. Your kids just not good enough.” This ends the conversation 100% of the time.
I know it sounds like coaching youth football is a challenge and it is. Over the course of a season, you will run into a variety of situations and I am trying to give you an example of all and the way I handle them.
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