A Coach’s Message To Parents:

We may not win every game, but we will be the classiest coaches, players, and parents in every game we play.

The players are going to play with respect for the game, their teammates, opposition, and the referees no matter what.

I need to let you know where I stand. I have no hidden agenda. I have no ulterior motive other than make each player improve their skills, develop teamwork philosophy and enjoy the game! I gladly volunteer my time and at times… expenses… but I do it because I love the game and I enjoy watching progress in kids.

You as parents need to know for yourselves and for the players, that when the opportunity presents itself, I will be honest with what I believe and do what I know and think of what is best for the team. Some of my decisions and the style of my coaching may make some people uncomfortable, but I am prepared of that and I know it is part of being a Coach. If you think you can coach and can help improve the players… please do come to each practice and to each game… no excuses that you are tired, or too busy… come and join me and commit yourself. If not – you are welcome to share your opinions with me, let’s talk, lets share ideas… but let’s do it in a nice manner…. And in the end… please respect that I am the Coach and will have the final decision. I do this as a volunteer, no pay, no financial gains, no bias.

I believe that the biggest role of the parent is to be a silent source of encouragement. I think if you ask most young players what they would want their parents to do during the game; they would say “NOTHING”. Once again, this is ALL about the players… I believe that a youth basketball parent feels that they must participate with loud cheering and “Come on, let’s go, you can do it”, which is great! However- negative remarks just adds more pressure to the kids. I will be putting plenty of pressure on these players to play the game the right way with class, and respect, and they will put too much pressure on themselves and each other already. You as parents need to be the disciplined, cheerful, constantly positive, source of support… cheer encouragement but not to criticize out loud or show disappointments. All kids on the floor must be cheered… your kids and likewise the opposing players… we are all in this for the kids.

Let the record stand right now that we will not have perfect referees… no one is. This is a fact, and the sooner we all understand that, the better off we will be. We will have balls that bounce on the line that will not be called at times, and there will be fouls that may not be called… or fouls we do not see and yet are called… it is part of the game – especially that often we only have 1 referee. The boys will not be allowed at any time to show any emotion against the umpire… they will learn to turn the page and mentally focus on playing rather than complaining. The players will not shake their head, or pout, or say anything to the referees. This is my job, and I will do it well, and I will let the referee(s) or the PBAM Officers know when they need to hear something. I am really doing all of you parents a favor that you probably don’t realize at this point. I have taken out any work at all for you except to get them there on time, and enjoy. The thing that these boys need to hear is that you enjoyed watching them and you hope that they had fun. I know that it is going to be very hard not to coach from the stands and yell advise to your own kids, but I am confident that this works in a negative way for their development and their enjoyment. Trust me on this. I am not saying that you cannot clap for your kids when they do well. I am saying that if you hand your child over to me to coach them, then let me do that job. Let’s not confuse them further.

A large part of how your child improves is your responsibility. The difference for kids at this level is the amount of repetition that they get. This goes with shooting, dribbling, passing. As a parent, you can help out tremendously by playing with them when you have spare time, or talking to them- inspiring them that they are good and are improving. I am completely fine with your kids getting lessons from whomever you see fit. The only problem I will have is if you or your instructor is telling your kid not to follow the plan of the team. I will teach a great deal of mechanics and the mental approach, and expect the kids to comply. If I see something that your child is doing something mechanically that is drastically wrong, I will talk and do my best to make it right.

I will be throwing so much info at these boys that they are going to suffer from overload for a while, but eventually they are going to get it. I am a stickler about the thought process of the game. I will be talking non-stop about defenses and offenses. I am a firm believer that this game is more mental than physical, and the mental may be more difficult, but can be taught and can be learned by any PYBCOM player. If it sounds like I am going to be demanding of these boys, you are exactly right. I am definitely demanding their attention, and the other thing that I am going to require is effort. Their attitude, their concentration, and their effort are the things that they can control. If they give me these things every time they show up, they will have a great experience.

The best situation for all of us is for you to plan on handing these kids over to me and the assistant coaches when you drop them off, and plan on them being mine for the times that we have scheduled for a game, or the time that we have scheduled for the practice.

Speaking of time – or playing time, I would like to address that right from the top as well seeing that next to playing time this is the second most complained about issue, or actually tied for second with position on the court… Once again, I need you to know that I am trying to develop each player individually, and I will give them a chance to learn and play any position that they are interested in. I also believe that this team will be competitive and when we get into situations where we are focusing on winning; like a tournament for example; we are going to put the kids in the position that will give the team the best opportunity. I will talk with the boys individually and have them tell me what their favorite position is and what other position they would like to learn about. As this season progresses, there is a chance that your son may be playing a position that they don’t necessarily like, but I will need your support about their role on the team. I know that times have changed, but one of the greatest lessons that I learned was that my coach was always right… even when he was wrong. The principle is a great life lesson about how things really work. I hope that I will have enough humility to come to your child if I treated him wrong and apologize. Our culture has lost this respect for authority mostly because the kids hear the parents constantly complaining about the teachers and coaches of the child.

Let’s do it for your kids… let’s work together… Let’s just have fun and we will all be winners.

TEAM – Together Each Achieves More.

– Anonymous Coach

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