I have been coaching for 30 years and I have grown and adjusted through time, experience, and having children as athletes.
One of the smartest things I have ever learned is when coaches at the beginning of the season, tell parents they have a 24 hour rule. If you want to speak to the coach, wait 24 hours and then do so. It takes some of the emotion out of the "confrontation". I would go even further, do not text, talk face to face or on the phone. Texting can lead to big trouble because what is meant may not come off that way.
But as I have watched my children play, lose or play badly, and then watch coaches yell at them and the team, I have come to the conclusion that a 24 hour rule may be good for coaches, too when talking to the team. Now let me say this, I am guilty, guilty, guilty of violating why I think the 24 hour rule should be for coaches, too.
Because we can be emotional after a loss, we can lose our minds and say and/or do things that are not good for the players or the team. I have lost my mind and it made me feel better, but I don't think it does any good. I can tell you that there were times I lost it after a game, went home and watched the tape and realized we played better than it seemed. So then I had to apologize.
Maybe, just maybe coaches should take the 24 hours.
I promise you that coaches often think they know more than any non-coach, and they probably do in many instances, but you can always learn how to deal with people by watching, listening, and experiencing other leadership for yourself.
Are you self-aware?
Do you care?
No to either question above is bad, but the second one would be worse. It shows you care only about yourself, and in the coaching world, a lot of that exists.
But most of us are in it to win and help kids, I know that. And maybe once you get to the college level, that 24 hour window isn't as necessary, I would argue it is, but it's up to you.
So take the 24 hours...or don't. You're the coach and can do things the way you want, and who am I?
Just a parent of athletes who has coached sports for 30 years.
