Thread by @coach_kevin_m

"My child isn't getting enough game time."

"The coach is useless."

"Other kids are getting special treatment."

"Just have fun"

Are parents causing an issue in grassroots football? 🧵

2/

I've coached a lot of grassroots football and

*Spoiler alert*

The problem isn't always difficult parents.

It's often unclear communication from coaches and clubs.

3/

A lot of clubs do a great job of running grassroots football, they:

- Have codes of conduct.
- Set expectations BEFORE problems arise.
- They don't leave things ambiguous.

They are explicit about the rules and the consequences of breaking them

4/

Similarly, a lot of coaches

- Explain decisions BEFORE they make them.
- Communicate that development BEFORE results matter.

Again, being clear on what parents can expect

5/

But what if that hasn't happened?

Well, you need to have a code of conduct and be explicit about it.

If your club don't have one, you can create one for your team (there is a template in my community)

Without rules, all your stakeholders don't know where the line is.

6/

"Yeah, Kevin, but I have all those things, and my parents still cause issues"

Communication is key. Difficult conversations are... well... difficult.

However, if you don't have them, one bad egg can disrupt the entire team.

I've seen teams fold because the club or coach won't have the conversation.

7/

But I find that if you are clear and transparent with your communication, it solves 90% of problems.

For example, one team I was coaching was moving to the 9v9 format, and we had more players registered than we could take to games.

I called a meeting with the parents and presented the problem, with 2 solutions:

- Pick squads based on training merit
- Rotate squads

Gave them 7 days to decide and vote, then implemented what they voted for.

After all, it wasn't my team, it was theirs.

I was just looking after it.

8/

But my main point is that I was clear with them and involved them in the process.

So

Proactive communication prevents 90% of parent problems.

Reactive responses create 100% more drama.

And you can turn critics into allies.

9/

My community has full sections on 7v7, 9v9, and 11v11.

These are designed to help you:

- Develop your players in a methodical manner
- Plan your sessions
- Help you on matchday
- Increase your coach education
- Help with your wellbeing

Help you with things like stakeholder management

skool.com/coachingacademy

10/

What does your club do you work with parents and stakeholders, instead of against them?