Communication Tips for Youth Sport Coaches

Lack of communication between coaches, players and parents can create major headaches and disruptions for any youth sports program. Often these disruptions can be avoided if coaches will practice and utilize a few simple techniques throughout the year. Keep in mind that there is always going to be problems, but the more a coach can avoid the better their program will be.

First, coaches should prepare and handout a parent/player handbook of some type. This handbook should contain as much information as possible in relationship to the program. Team rules, game schedules, directions, coaches contact info and anything else players and parents may need should be included. It is important to cover as much as possible but be careful not to overdue it. Keep it organized and easy for the members of your program to use throughout the season.

Practice schedules are very important to families. Whenever possible coaches should hand out schedules for as far into the future as possible. Provide information on when and where practice will be. Include team meetings, other team functions and any game changes that may have came up. Make the schedule easy to follow and update the schedule when changes occur and post new schedules in places where as many of your parents and players as possible will see it.

Get a website. Websites are a great way to provide information to everybody. A simple web search will provide many sites that will host free websites for teams. Coaches' can easily updated the site from almost anywhere and include all the information needed in a place where everybody can easily access it. Most of these sites provide options for schedules, rosters, pictures, stats and videos as well.

Utilize text messaging. With just about everybody in the world carrying cell phones now, text messaging has become a very easy way to communicate with a group of people quickly. Most cell provides offer inexpensive text messaging packages that make it a must have tool for all coaches. With most cell phones it is very easy to set up groups and send one text message to several people within seconds. Coaches should set up a player group and a parent group. Send out reminders and changes as they occur. And always keep the messages as short as possible but provided all the necessary information.

Even though technology has taken over the world, mailings are still important for some. Coaches may consider putting out a regular newsletter. Include updates on the teams' performance, upcoming events and other useful information. A newsletter can be done quickly and only has to be a page long. It can be a little time consuming and sending out a text or an email can be a lot easier, but if you can reach that one person who may still not be willing to utilize today's technology, it will be worth it.

Parent and player meetings are still a must. Coaches need to have a preseason meeting with their players and parents. Discuss the upcoming season and thier expectations. Provide copies of your handbook and website information. This is also a great time to get cell phone numbers, email address and mailing information. Keep the meeting short but allow parents as much time as they want to talk with you after the meeting one on one. Coaches should also consider having an additional meeting during the season. Before a road trip, playoff stretch or to discuss a end of the season awards night. Meeting face to face is still the best way to communicate on all matters whenever possible.

Problems occur during every sports season. Coaches that take the time to avoid as many of these problems as possible with organized and consistent communication, often enjoy a larger amount of success. Parents like to know what is going on and they want to be involved. Coaches need to understand this and take the time to provide useful communication.